The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-04
WERE SAVED
FROM NORGE
Two survivors Of III.Fated Steam.
ship Arrive at Portland,
There to Reside.
TELL STORY OF THE DISASTER
Captain Jumped Into the Sea
Immediately, Preferring
Death to Scenes to
Follow.

FOitOW.
Portland Journal: There arrived in
Portland yesterday Sam and Joe Roch-
Ian, Russians, who were passengers on
the Danish steamship Norge, that went
down Off the coast Of Scotland. June
rs, and caused the death Of 700 pas
sengers. The two young Russians are
among the 100 survivors who escaped
the disaster. They lived in chernigov.
Russia.
Their story OF the wrecking of the
ship differs widely from that published
in the newspapers at the time OF the
accident. Rochlan declares that the
captain was the first to leave the ship
when she struck the rock. and delib-
erately cast himself into the sea with
the intention Of drowning rather than
witness the catastrophe that he knew
must follow. AS soon as the crash was
heard. Rochian says. the captain rush
ed on deck with the ships compass and
hurled himself into the sea.
Saves Two Lives.
Sam Rochlan saved two persons who
would have perished but for his as
sIstance, and his act almost cost his
| life. He leaped from the deck for a
IfeDoat that was crowded and had
started away from the vessel. He
missed the boat and fell into the wa
ter. In falling. however. he seized a
line that was fastened to the boat,
and attempted to draw himself in.
When he neared the side OF the boat
It's occupants beat him off with oars
and pushed him back into the water.
He continued his efforts In desperation
and, threatening to overturn the boat
by his frantic acts, at last succeeded
In gaining place in the boat.
"They beat me almost into insensi-
biIity." he said, ''but had hold Of the
line and wouldn't have let go II they
had broken my arms with the oars
There was dance on board the
ship on the night before she ran on
the rock. There was revelry until late
in the morning. and many had not re-
tired at o'clock when the crash was
heard. Rochlan had not removed his
clothing, but all his other possessions
were lost.
Joe Rochlan. who is is years Of age
climbed up the mast as he saw the
ship was going down. He refused tc
descend and his elder brother was
compelled to climb after him and pull
him down. He threw the younger mar
overheard into boat, and threw after
him another passenger. who had be-
come wild with fear.
Seven Days Adrift.
The lifeboat drifted at sea for sever
days. On the eighth day 1t was picked
up by German ship bound for Phil
adelphia. The occupants had no food
whatever, and many were exhausted
when rescued. Two children died be-
fore the boat was found. one of starva-
tion and another of injuries 1t had re-
ceived from sailors who had attempted
Rochlan says, to throw 1t off the boat
"But for the intercession of an un-
der-captain," said Rochlan, "the sail
ors would have thrown us all overheard
in trying to save themselves. They
were frightened and feared that tht
great number on board might cause
the overturnlng of the boat and their
own drowning"
On the eighth day of their drifting al
the win OF the wind and the waves they
sighted a ship They made flag Of
small red handkerchief, which they
raised on the end of an oar as signal
OF distress. They were taken aboard
and fed and clothed.
| Rochlan Is boilermaler and both
he and his brother viii reside in this
city. They are now at the home of b
Pollay. 1872 Jackson street. to whom
they are related. Mr.. Pollay is in the
employ of Steinbach & Co.
The Norge left Copenhagen. bound
for New York, and struck the Isle Of
Rockal. 2sO miles Off the coast of Scot
Hand. over ZOO lives were lost.