The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-05
The MANTEO At
MERCY OF SEA
FOR LONG TIME
CAPTAIN AND SIX MEN ROWED
THIRTY MILES IN LIFE BOAT
FOR HELP AND SENT A TUG TO
ASSISTANCE OF THE DISABLED
CRAFT.

The steamer Manteo. OF tbs Mobile
& Gulf Steamship line, which has been
plying between Pensacola New Or
leans, Mobile and ST. Andrews, en-
countered rough weather on her last
trip, according 10 the following from
the Mobile Register OF Sunday:
Breaking her propeller off in the
Mexican Gulf. thirty miles from the
mouth of Mobile Bay, the nearest land,
the American steamship Manteo wal
lowed in heavy seas until Captain ID.
v. Spiva and members Of the crew
rowed to the coast and secured the
services OF tug by sending a wireless
MESA ge to Mobile
The Afanteo carried ten passengers
when the accident occurred, and these
became panic stricken upon learning
that the steamship was without mo
tive power. They were Quilted by
members of the crew. who assured
them that assistance would be forth
coming.
The steamer was on her way from
Pensacola to New Orleans and was
proceeding west under fun steam about
noon wednesday when suddenly the
engines began TO race and the vessel
slowed down. finally stopping entirely.
Propeller Shaft Broken.
Investigation followed and II WAS
found that the Manteo's propeller
shaft had broken off within a few
inches of the wheel. Captain Spivs
notified the passengers and hoisted
signals of distress. SummoninR Off :
GERS and members Of his crew 10 the
upper deck he told them OF hts inten-
ton to man lifeboat and row TO the
nearest shore.
Volunteers were called for and 10 =
man the crew responded Captain
Spiva selected six men to accompany
him. He chose Qusrtcrmasters Hor
ace and Howard Suggs, brothers; John
Savage, William Coe. ship carpenters;
Fred Page and Fred Dolbran, sailors.
to take the perilous trip.
Boat Fully Provisicned.
A hfeboat was stored with water
and provisions and lowered TO the
steamers side. Bidding farewell to
the passengers and fellow seamen, the
seven men cast of and started rowing
in the direction Of the coast Of Ala
bsma.
Though the llfeboat did not leave
the BTanteos side until about noon on
Wednesday. Captain Spiva brought the
frsil craft upon the sands in the vi
cinity Of Perdido Bay shortly after
midnight.
Leaving members of the lifeboat's
crew 10 guard the boat, Captain Spivs
took his COMPASS and set out in the
direction of Fort Morgan, arriving al
the FORTH ca tons shortly before moor
on Thursday.
Tug to the Rescue.
The brave skipper got in communi-
cation with Mobile over the wireless
and asked that a tug he sent to tbs
assistance Of the Manteo at the earliest
possible moment. he was advised
that the tug Mary Witch was on the
way down the bay with a schooner In
tow and that she would 20 10 the as.
sistsnce of the steamship.
The Witch was hailed and the or.
ders transmitted to Captain Eldridge
who Immediately set ont at fun speed
for the distressed steamship. Lpor
reaching the Msnteo's side the tus
was hailed with cheers by the terror.
stricken passengers.
In tow Of the tug the Manteo wa
brought to Fort Morgan. where she
was met by the six men who had Sc
out in the lifeboat with Captain Spiv5
( The Manteo reached the city dock!
about noon Friday
Assistance Offered.
While houndering around in thu
Mexican gulf, the wind blowing ;
! fresh breeze, the Manteos signals o
distress were answered by the Britisi
/ steamship Winfield, which came along
side. The master Of the Winfield OF
| fered assistance but he was informed
I by the officer in command that a tut
was expected at any moment. How
/ ever, the British steamer lay alongside
/ for some time awaiting the arrival o
/ the tug.
/ Ofhcers on the Manteo and thost
who risked their lives in going for as
| sistance, tell exciting stories Of thei
! experience. Captain Spiva 6SeT NO