The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-02-26

tie Gale.
London, February 21.-The Rotttr-
Slam mail steamer Berlin, from Eng
land, with 141 passengers and crew,
was wrecked off the Hook Of Holland,
at the entrance of the rives Mas, lead
ing to Rotterdam, shortly before 6
O'Clock this morning, and with one
exception ali on board persisted.
a terrific SOuthWeSterly gale was
blowing right in shore and drove the
Berlin on a sand bank close to the
northern jetty as she was trying to en-
ter the new waterway. Heavy seas
quickly pounded the vessel to pieces.
She broke in two, her forepart sink
ing Immediately while the doomed
passengers and crew could be seen for
a brief space of time cleaving to the
after part. Then the afterpart slipped
off tie ledge and disappeared in the
mountainous waves. Tugs and life
boats, when the alarm was first sound
ed, promptly put out to the assistance
of the Berlin but the violence of the
gale and the heavy seas made it impos-
Sible to approach the wreck and the
helpless would-be life savers saw the
steamer break up and the crew and
passengers washed away without being
able to render the slightest assistance.
The Berlin left Harwich at 10 o'clock
last night, upon the arrival there Of
the London train with the greater
number of the passengers who subse-
Guently lost their lives.
AS the Berlin was entering the
waterway at the entrance OF the river
Mas she apparently became nHGn
ageable on account Of the force of wind
and was driven ashore. The alarm Was
given and one of the boats from the
shore went to the assistance Of the
stricken steamer but the seas were so
high that the boats were unable to
approach the Berlin close enough TO
take off any of the passengers or crew
and the life boat men had to sit help
less while the steamer pounded until
- broke in two and every soul On
board was carried down. The steamer
apparently struck about amidShips. as
her fore part broke off and sank im-
mediately while her afterpart could be
seen for a considerable period Of time
afterwards.
The waterway in which the disaster
occurred is q new one on the north
side Of which is the pier and railroad
station. The steamer must have been
within a few minute of tieing ul after
her rough passage across the North
sea when she was overtaken by the
disaster. Land was but a few yards
away. and except in the toughest
weather those on board the Berlin
could have been rescued without diff
ficulty and especially as the waterway
is navigabIe at all tides.
The Berlin was a steel steamer II
years old and popular with travellers to
the north of Europe. In summer she
usually was crowded with passengers
h,t at this time Of the year her aver
" was about what it was last nig!It,
the number being equally divided be-
tween first and second class. Much diff
ficulty is being experienced in obtain
ing the names of the passengers as the
tickets were purchased from many
agents in London and other cities,
while some of the travellers may have
had return tickets. The only names
the company can be sure of are those
of passengers who secured reserved
herths. The company's agents are be-
ing asked to send in immediately to
Headquarters the names Of all such
persons.
Captain Parkinson, of Belfast, Ire
land. who appeared to be the sole sur
vivor, was on his way to Amsterdam
TO ioin his vessel, the Myrmidon OF the
Holt line, to bring her back to Liver
pool. Fe seized a piece OF Hoatlns
timber and succeeded in keeping him
self afoat until he saw the HE boar.
His cry for help was heard n he
was picked and brought ashore
The bill to give the sherltfs OF the