The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-09-02
DRIVEN ASHORE
Passengers From Wrecked Steamer Lex
ington Taken InIo Port.
SAVED BY LADS DARING

After Terrific Fight With Waves, The
Steamer Goes Aground, But the
Gallant Wireless Operators Calls
Brings Help and All on Board Are
Taken OFF.
Twelve passengers, a steward and
three colored employees of the steam
er Lexington of the Miners and Mer-
chants line were brought to Char
lesion Wednesday, by the revenue
cutter Yamacraw, which left the
captain and forty-three men on
board. Two firemen are reported to
have been burned to death and a
third terribly scalded.
First Officer Chamberlain sustained
fracture of his right shoulder. The
steamship has her nose imbedded in
quicksand off Hunting Island, at the
mouth of the Edisto River, and 1t is
said that she will be a total loss.
The Lexington was bound from Sa-
vannah to Philadelphia, with II pas
sengers, all of whom were rescued.
For twenty-four hours the steamship
battled desperately against the hur-
ricane, finally being driven aground,
where the tremendous waves smash
ed violently against her and the
powerful wind tossed her about in
the mud. Three times was she COW
cred with water, the pumps expelling
enough to clear the upper portions
and float the stern.
But for the heroism Of Wireless
Operator Scheetze there would have
been no chance of rescue. The storm
wrecked the boats wireless station,
but Scheetz climbed into the rigging
and adjusted his instruments flash
ed the calls for immediate assistance.
The signals were caght by the
Yamacraw, which -hastened to Hunt
ing Island. Scheetz, a 16-year-old
boy, was in imminent peril Of his life
while operating the wireless the wind
almost tearing him from his inse-
cure position. The lad was utterly
exhausted by his desperate work.
Passengers necessarily prayed for
abatement of the storm, and when the
government steamer hove into sight
mighty cry OF relief went up from
the sorely stricken people on the Lex
ington. When the captain realized.
the danger of the liners breaking up
at any minute, he had life preserver
strapped to every passenger.
Held for Is hours in the grip OF
the hurricane of Sunday night and
Monday morning with Capt. Connolly
almost naked and half frozen stand
ing at the wheel with the pilot house
glasses turned in every direction,
with the stokers working desperately
while standing to their armpits in wa
ter trying to increase the small pres
sure of 25 pounds of steam to a suf-
ficient power to enable the Lexington
to steer away from the treacherous
shore towards which they finally
drifted and grounded, the veteran
passenger and freight steamer Lex
ington, formerly the ocean steam
ship liner City of Macon, was un-
equal to the great battle against the
odds of wind and water.
At about 1928 o'clock Monday af-
ternoon, after two anchor cables had
parted, the Lexington went hard
ashore off Hunting Island. She is
lying today in about Is feet Of water
listed almost 40 degrees to port with
her bow pointing up the coast.
Capt Connolly, veteran in the SER
vice of the Merchants and Miners
declared that the hurricane was the
worst of his experience of seagoing.
He claims and his statement is at
tested by the first mate and steward
that the wind came in gusts at times
making about 130 miles an hour. The
roll Of the sea was terrific.
Three times in one hour the entire
hull Of the Lexington was completely
lost to view. With the craft at the
mercy of the elements because it was
impossible to make the least head
way, great seas would sweep down
on the boat covering her from stem
to stern. All passengers were hud-
died in the social hall equipped with
life preservers and not a few fervent
prayers were offered that they might
see the shore again.
Wen urged by the officers of the
Yamacraw that he abandon his boat,
Capt. Connolly declared he would re-
main with her until only mast was
left 20 hang to.
When the Yamacraw neared within
two or three miles of the Lexington
it was found hazardous to come with
in closer range. On two occasions
bottom was touched by the Yama-
craw, and it was only the skilful
management of Lieut.. J. l.. Ahern,
commanding officer that prevented
the government boat from suffering
like fate as the boat she was seek
ing to assist. She finally got the
passengers on board and carried
them to Charleston.
Mrs. ] w. Mansfield. wife of the
clerk to the chief of police of Phila-