Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-21
Another Marine Disaster.

Rotterdam, FEB, Zl.-Ihe ureA'
Eastern Railway steamer Berlin, bound
from Hsrwich, England, 20 Rotterdam,
was wrecked on a sand bank outside the
harbor Icd y with total loss OF life es
timated at l41 Tremeud us seas wash
ed over the vessel after she struck.
breaking her up and rendering assistance
impossible. Every soul on board is be
It. we'd to have persisted.
The wreck occurred 10 sight of land
on a dangerous shosl outside the bsrbOr,
Within a few moments after she struck
the vessel began to break up. IL was
impossible for the life boats TO live and
help from labd was cut of by the high
waters,
Several Americans are reported to
have been aboard the Inflated steamer
and nineteen members of the German
Opera Company, returning home after
az engagement at CIyent Garden, are
known to have been in the wreck.
The Berlin left Harwich at 10 O clock
last night, carrying the mail 81 pssseD'
gers and crew of fifty men. She hsd
slmo5; completed her voyage when The
disaster occurred. The force of the shock
when the big steamer wen aground evil
IDENTIFY shook her to pieces. Her fore
part was badly stove 10, and the force Of
he terrific sea which was running quick
| ly beat her to pieces
Owing to the nearness OF the land, the
vessel was sighted almost the moment she
struck and at FIRST little fear was enter
tanned for those aboard her, as it was
expected that she would hold together
until the sea subsidized enough 10 allow
help to resch her. When 1t was seen,
however, that she was going to pieces
before the very eyes OF those on shore,
but helpless to reach her, the scenes
among those on shore were almost iD'
describsble.
Persons on vessels which were almost
within speaking cay that the passengers
and crew OF the stricken vessel rushed on
deck at the frat shock, and that tre'
mendous wave which swept along carried
scores Of persons into the sea almost be-
fore they realized what had happened
Efforts were made to swing out the
| lifeboats, but two Of these we're carried
away before they could be manned and
Others we're smashed by the pounding
seas, The fnll list Of dead will never be
known. as the officers of the Great East
ern Company say the passenger lists
we're destroyed with the vessel.
London, Feb. 81 The Exchange
Telegraph Company announces that il
has been Officially informed that 100 pass
engers and the crew Of the Berlin were
drowned of Rotterdam.
London, Feb. 2l.-One passenger Of
the i'll fated Berlin has been saved, &C
cordiog to q report here.
Rotterdam, Feb. 2l.--The exact point
at which the disaster occurred is just III
the hook Of Holland, at the entrance 10
the estuary. The narrowness OF the en-
trance to the waterway and the fearful
southwest gale which was blowing
were the primary causes of the wreck.
Captain Precious, of the Berlin, evil
IDENTIFY miscalculsted the force of the
gale. The engines we're moving slowly
aud the storm literally blew the vessel
onto the bank.
Almost Immediately when she struck
the steamer crashed into a ietty, then
swung out again and broke in two. The
fore part sank while the passengers and
crew gathered on the floating after part.
Heroic but unsuccessful efforts were
made BY tugs and life boats to reach the
steamer before the after part completely
pounded to pieces and finally went down.
The passengers apparently we're on
deck waiting to land when she struck.
Lite belta we're kept under the pillows
in the staterooms and cabins, but the
passengers bad no time to go below for
them before water filed the hall.
The gale blowing at the time OF the
accident was one OF the worst which has
prevailed on the North Sea- in years.