New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
COL. CAMPBELL In WRECK
HIS LIFE DESP4IRED OF.
In q Critical Condition Because of
Exposure on Rum Cay.

AS the result of shock ard exposure In and
after the wreck of his sons yacht. the Roamer.
on Rum Cay, December 10, Thomas c. Campbell.
the lawyer. is in critical condition In a Brook-
lyn sahatoriur1. He has aneurism OF the
heart. and had 1t not been for the unremitting
care Of the stewardess of the Orzaba. Miss
Margaret Nelson. who is a trained nurse. he
could not have lived out the voyage from Mas
to New-York
The Roamer sailed from New-York for Baltl-
more August & George B Campbell, her owner
acts as his own skipper. At Baltimore he took
his father board, Colonel Campbell having
been ordered South for his health. On the south
ward voyage the Roamer encountered only
pleasant weather, keeping the inside route as
far az Jupiter inlet. From there they went 10
the Bahamas. Colonel Campbelfs health was
much improved by the trip. and he felt better
than he had for several years.
The day before the little yacht was wrecked
there a strong gale from the southwest
which later changed into the northwest This
kicked up q heavy sea, which distressed the
yacht. The next day the wind went down, but
the sea was still running high Captain Camp
bell had to go ashore in the morning. the yacht
standing we'll off shore. After noon he signalied
to be taken off and the mate stood in shore to
meet the boat Whether because she missed
stays or the rudder post snapped, the crew lost
control for a minute and she struck against
coral peak with edge like knife. cutting
away the planks of her hull The ballast was
thrown overheard. and the yacht forced up on
the sandy beach of the cay. until her bow rested
in less than a couple of feet Of water.
TAKEN OFF IN SMALL BOATS.
The crew Of seven and Mrs. and Colonel Camp
! bell were taken off in the small boats Inc
launch. which was taking some provisions was
| bilged ana the food was ruined. The sea made
il dangerous for any one to stay on board the
Yacht and she was abandoned that night.
| Colonel and Mrs. Campbell found quarters in a
native hut and with the rest of the party had
TO sleep in wet clothes.
Hardly had the party landed when the beach
| combers who are successful pirates In small
way. descended on the yacht In two days they
had stripped her Of every thing portable Not
content with that they tried to raid the camp
Of the (-ampbeIls The first night they were
ashore they stole most of the provisions. ne
mate. John Phipps was guarding some OF me ne
stuff saved from the wreck with big ~ Cot
in his belt While he was congratulating him
self that the gun had awed the beachcompers
somebody stole il from his belt 49,,
The party had to stay on Rum Cay. with niue
food and brackish water for which they had
to pay 30 cents a bucket. seven days Iheh
they picked up and carried TO Nassau on
an island trading schooner. Because OF the lach
Of proper food and attendance Colonel camp
bell had failed rapidly, and when the party
reached Nassau he not expected 70 I'VE
until they could reach New-York. The Orizaha
touched at Nassau December 80 and CoIonel
Campbell was taken on board in n very weak
condition Luckily the stewardess, Miss Mel
son had been trained a nurse IN the New
York Hospital and she at once took charge OF
Colonel Campbell. Had 1t not been for her. ms
son says. the lawyer would never have reached
this port alive,
TAKEN TO A sANATORIUM
= 49, 80, ,,+sp,ior ~ Captain Campbell 10
have his father moved to either the New-fork
or the Roosevelt Hospital when the Orizab a
locked He called a Brooklyn physician who
said that Colonel Campbell could not be moved
70 Manhattan and who moved him 10 sana-
tori,,rn The doctor for some reason was anx-
ions 10 conceal the cause of Colonel Campbell =
illness after il had been given out by the nurse
and captain Campbell He took the paper on
which a few notes had been made from re-
porter's pocket and tore il into pieces
The Roamer was built in Beaufort. n .. IN
1899 for Clifton Perrin. soon afterward he
died on board. Then she was sold to {. r.:
Whitehurst from whom Captain Campbell
bought her Her home port is Baltimore she
is an auxiliary schooner rugged yacht or httH,
1--WE tons and is % feet { inches over all. ana -
feet & inches beam.