Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1914-07-08


frightened she could scarcely find
anv of her clothes. But | threw
something around her and was rush
ed upstairs on deck. At first we
didn't see any of our party and
could get nc satisfactory informa-
ton as to the trouble. SO we stood
there, cold speechless with
fear, expecting any moment that
the worst would happen. We heard
the order for the life boats TO be
lowered and expected to be in them
in short while. About that time we
saw Mr.. and Mrs. Dill, our good
friends from Gatfnry who explained
the cause of the. disaster and en-
pressed the opinion that the danger
was not so great asst first appeared.
Others came up then and we learned
more Of the details and fel, some,
what comforted. As we were on the
opposite side we did not see the
steamer New York that was visible
to SO many others.
I enclose experiences from some
of the passengers who saw the 9TH
er ship. One account is from very
intelligent German lady from Port
land, Oregon, Mrs. BacKrodt and
there are Others who had different
experiences from mine which may
be interesting.
We sat on deck until morning rs
sleep WAS Impossible and listened to
the various stories OF the cataStro-
phe. We all wore life preserVers
and as we were grouped on deck
one of our party cot snap shot OF
us as a melancholy reminder OF the
night. The stewards served US
coffee about four o'clock in the
morning TO restore our dropping
spirits. After was all over we be-
gan to see the humorous side as we
recalled the appearances Of some
of the terror-stricken passengers.
One was attired in heavy bath
robe with vest over that and 9TH
ers were not encountered with abun-
dance Of clothing. I left everything
in our state room, purse, suit cases,
everything except an lngersoll
watch that we held tightly clasped
in our hand. One gloomy passeh.
ger announced 10 us when VIC were
recovering little from the shock
that we were slowly sinking, but
contradictory testimony kept us
from despair. Some say that they
we're not frightened but the maj jorl-
ty agree that it was one Of the most
terrible moments of their lives.
We went down the next morning
and saw the hole in the ship about
six feet long made by tearing one
anchor away. AS this was % feet
above water line there is no danger
but if it had been nearer water we
would have had a similar cataslro-
nhe to that of the Empress of Ire
land. We can't say where the blame
snould be placed. Our captain is
always very careful and we think
he managed we'll.
The Pretoria is II years old. and
is now on its llsth trip and this Is
the first collision.
We have regained our composure
now and having escaped sea-sickness
hope to have pleasant journey the
remainder of the trip. We can't get
any mail so the only communication
that We have with the outside world
is by wireless telegraphy, which
gives very meagre accounts of the
disaster and other current events.
We are thankful that We are all
safe, not single person being In
iured on either vessel. This letter
will be mailed at Boulogne, France,
the first stopping place en- route to
Hamburg. Our steamer letters have
been read and re-read and have been
worth their weight in gold.
Mamie n. Tillman.