The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-07
546 DROWNED ON
SINKING STEAMER
Vessel Bound For New York Lost
Off Coast of Scotland.
STRUCK ROCKS IN HEAVY SEA

Danish Ship Norge. Bearing Over 800
Emierants. Meets Disaster and Only
1928 Were Saved-Desperate Efforts
to Launch Life Boats, Several OF
Which Were Wrecked,
London. July 5-Of IA souls On
board the Danish steamer Norge l2S'
including Captain GUndoll, are known
10 have been saved one of the chill
dreu died in a life boat which brought
others 10 safety. For the missing tit
persons small hopes are entertained
The enormous death roll which was
feared with the first news of the wreck
has been decreased by lo2. that mum
Der of survivors. after many priva'
tions. having been landed at Storno'
way The Norge was wrecked last
Tuesday and the first survivors were
picked and landed three days later
The horrors of the wreck itself grow
with each survivors, account Captain
Gundelrs statement reads like an afii-
dayit from the dead, for he went down
with his ship. He maintains that the
Norge struck on a sun6en rock Is
miles south of Rockall.
No tragedy Of the sea has had more
appalling consequences. and none has
occurred in a shorter time. The pas
scngers were suddenly aroused from
their sleep terrified by tie contact Of
the bows of the ship with the solid
granite, followed by a grinding, rasp'
ing sound as if the hull was being
shored over huge rocks Then silence,
as the changing bells brought the en-
gines to stop, Those of the passen-
gers who were standing ut the time the
steamer struck the rock were thrown
against the bulkheads or on the decks
and had not recovered their feet when
a stentorian voice gave the terrifying
order. "All hands or deck. hurry OF
you may sink"
Mad Rush For the Boats.
Immediately there was n rush for
the narrow companionways and men.
women and children pushed and strug'
cled and made every other effort to
reach the deck where the boats swung
from the davits Many persons. re-
tanning their presence OF mind seized
life preseryers. only 10 find in some in
stances that the strings were rotten
and they could not be quickly put
around their bodies Those who
reached the deck saw the nose of the
Norge pinned directly against the
rock. II remained there only a few
minutes. for Captain Gundell, com
handing. who had Immediately gone
TO the bridge, gave the order 70 the
engine room TO reverse the engines,
Some men Of the engineer force had
relatives among the passengers, and
after seeing them safely to the boats
they herolcally returned 10 their sta
tions below
Slowly the ship backed off, and rs
she gained way it was found that the
water was pouring into her hold. This
announcement called out in Scandi'
nayian and presaging death. added to
the supreme fright and agony The
passengers who were piled in the boats
were the fortunate ones who were to
escape. while the unfortunates. who
saw death near. clustered In the vi
clnlty. seething. struggling masses,
some on their knees, praying sur
rounded by children. others suDnlicat-
ing aid from any one and shTieking
for permission 70 enter the boats, ell
bowling. fighting their way 20 the
places from which the boats were be-
ing lowered.
The sound of grinding ceased, and
the bow of the Norge waved as the
steamer returned TO deep water. The
sea rushed hungrily into the huge
rents made by the rocks in the iron
hull. Swiftly the vessel began to sink
by the bows. Without waiting for or.
ders. without paying attention to their
proper manning, the occupants began
to lower tho boats
Life Boats Wrecked.
Two of the first boats lowered filed
with women and children. were smash
ed against the side Of the ship, and
all we're drowned. When the upper