Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-03
SAVED I OCEAN WAITS
Survivors of the Norwegian
Bark GermaniC.
PICKED UP IN SMALL BOAT
Almost Dead When Found From
Hunger and Exposure.
CAPTAIN DIED AT HIS POST
Another Boat Containing Eight Men
Left the Ship, But Has Not
Been Heard From.

NEW YORK, January 3.-Seven ship
wrecked sailors, believed to be the only
survivors of the crew of sixteen of the
Norwegian bark Germanic, were brought
here today by the oil tank steamer
Hothan Newton. They were picked up
in midocean December II in a terrible
condition from exposure, eight days after
their vessel had been abandoned. Another
boat which contained eight men has not
been found. The captain of the bark, who
remained on board until all the men
found places in the small boats, went
down with his ship.
Inc seven men who were rescued tell a
story of fearful suffering before they
were picked up by the Newton Obliged
to leave their sinking ship in the midst
of storm which had twisted and opened
the seams of the big bark their little boat
was tossed helplessly about by the waves.
The scant store of provisions which they
had succeeded in getting together was in
constant danger of being ruined by salt
water, which poured into the boat, and
their cask of drinking water became
tainted
Skeletons When Found.
For many days they had nothing to
drink but rain water, which they caught
in tarpaulns. The supply of food allowed
each man was held down to the lowest
possible from the first day, but even
then it became exhausted after seven
days and the men had been entirely with
out food for more than twenty-four hours
when they were picked up by the steam
er. They were in terrible condition
when taken on board the Newton. Their
bodies were covered with sores from the
constant contact of salt spray. which
weak from lack of nourishment, and were
scarcely able to stand. 1t was several
hours after they had been taken on
board before any of the men were able
to tell the story of their plight.
From their story it appears that the
Germanic had bad luck from November
% when she sailed from Weymouth for
Fleetwood, England, until she went down
in midocean December 0. The bark ran
into gale soon after leaving Wey-
mouth. and the wind increased until it
was blowing with hurricane force
huOCkeQ TO f1eceS.
Battered about by the tremendous seas
and buffeted by the fierce wind. the
Germanic sprung a leak. her decks were
burst open, the cabins washed away and
she became completely waterlogged
When it was seen that she could not
long remain afioat the order to take to
the two small boats was given. 1t was
almost too late, however and there was
scarcely time to stock the boats with food
and water and for the men to Chamber in
In one of the boats were eight men and
in the other seven. the captain rem aiming
on board until all the men had found
places in the boats. Just as he was about
to step aboard The bark gave a lurch and
went down. carrying her captain with her.
His body was picked up later by the boat
crew which was rescued by the Newton
The two boats kept within sight of each
other for several hours after leaving the
bark. but during the first night they be-
came separated. The fate of the second
boat, which contained eight members of
the crew, is not known.