New-York tribune., 1918-02-25
All Hope of Saving
FlorizeZ Given Up
By Officials Here

All hope of saving the Florzel was
given up here late yesterday afternoon
when c. w. Bowring, of the local Office
sage from Eric Bowring, at st. Johns,
a director of the line, saying that the
vessel was under water aft the fun
mel and that seas were breaking over
her. The message held out no hope for
rcscuing some of the passengers and
crew, who early in the day had been
sighted on the vessels deck.
AT p. m, however, an encouraging
message WAS received from Eric Bow
ring stating that through the darkness
the watchers on shore observed light
in The forward part Of the Florizcl and
that every effort would be made to
take OIL survivors as soon as the seas
Gained
Wiring from St. Johns. Erie Bowrng
said: 'Have just received following
message from Casper Cook. just ar
rived at place Of wreck. Cook says:
Can do nothing from shore. Terra
Nova and Home lying off. Sea getting
smoother. Expect to be able to do
something shortly. Dark when we got
here. Have Just seen light on Florizel.
Vessel lying upright. Under water
from funnel ait. Will do what | can
to get rockets ABOARD. Steamers Cor
don, Home. Hawk and Terra Nova left
at ] a. M"
First Message Here at 6 A. Nj.
Throughout the day G. w. Bowring
remained at his office here awaiting
bulletins from his representatives in
s.. Johns and Halifax. The first mes
sage Announcing the grounding of the
florizel came at 6 a. M, some two
hours after the ship went aground. AL
though il was apparent that the ship
was in bad way, it was hoped at the
local Office that the passengers and
crew might be saved
An earlier message received from
Eric Bowring. at st. Johns, said:
Commissioner of Wrecking, who is at
scene, at | p. m, advises Florizel
total loss; also, probably all lives lost
SIX bodies have been picked UP. Some
men seen on wreck, but no indication
of life. Seas now breaking over her
sides. Telegraph operator reports that
vessel is under water from funnel aft.
Forward seas continually breaking
over her cabin dccks.''
When he reached his Office yesterday
c. w. Bowring said he was awakened
at a. m. by the receipt of a message
from his agent at Halifax saying that
the British naval station there had
picked up an S 0 S call from the
Fiorizel stating that she was in dis
tress off Cape Race and going to
pieces.
Two hours later he received another
message, from the Office in st. Johns.
stating that Martin (master of the
FlorizcN was reported off Cape Race,
an hot Ho lin,
sci, had been dispatched to his assist
ance.
Ashore Seven Miles From Cape Race
Al II a. m. a message was received
from st. Johns, saying: "Florizcl
ashore at Freshwater Point (scven
miles north of Cape Race. Am send
ing special train with food, clothing
and supplies. Doing all possible Will
inform you later
AT noon Il telegram came TO Mr.. Bow
ring which gave rise to the belief that
there had been no loss of life, but the
ship at that time was pounding her
self to pieces on the rocky coast
Ship about three lengths off at
present" the message said. "Too
rough to get boats away from her or
off to her. Seas going over her from
aft Of engine room. but latest reports
say sea is going down.
An hour later came another mes
sage, more encouraging than the previ-
GUS one. 1t was from the agent at
Halifax. saying shat Mr.. Harvey. of
the St. Johns office, had wired that
there were some prospects of saving
passengers and crew. although the YES
sci would be total loss.
AT the Office of the Red Cross Line
it was said last night that the Florizel
carried crew of hfty-ninc and sew
enty-seven passengers. Among the
latter was Z. w Stevens. of ia Deca-
tur Street, Brooklyn. He bought a
round trip ticket and was booked to
return on the Florizcl
Following is the list of the Tlorizel's
crew;
w. l.. Martin. master, j. L. Tucker.