Year: 1878

l.0SO she being constructed of iron.


STATEMENT OF A SAILOR.


One of the crew. sailor named Kurre, gives the
following clear and interesting account of the dsas-
ter:-"The Pommerana left Plymouth on Sunday
night at two O'Clock. Last night. at quarter to
twelve the fog being very dense. the bark struck
amidshps on the starboard side. making large hole
in our ship below the water line. Indeed, the whole
side of the steamer was sprung. violent was the
shock. The Pommerania sank in half an hour; we just
got clear of the suction she disappeared beneath
the water The collision carried away two boats out
of eight belonging to our ship. Another boat filled
with passengers was swamped, ont of which only five
people escaped. / was picked up by coastng
steamer which came to the rescue Of the people in
the water and boats seeing the Pomneranias rock
cts. know that the captain and the first officer
on the bridge at the time Of the disaster.


Herr Franzcn verlasscn sic mich ncht' Don't
leave me- Mr.. Tranzen. shouted the captain to the
first officer.


"Give me your hand. Captain was the reply
and will assist you down into the boat. We cannot
remain here shall go down together Tho
steamer had then settled down to within few feet
of the main deck.


CAREFUL WATCH.


THE lookout on the Pommerania was sll right. He
was his post and saw the bark ten minutes before
the collision. We then altered course to avoid
her. but the bark seemed to come right down upon
t,,ct yha T,ara
aboard, but most Of them lost. l believe only
five saved The passengers were asleep
when the collision occurred The sailors all
saved. All the passengers could not be taken
the waters edge. and had to be bailed constantly
with our caps and hands to prevent swamping There
is no doubt in my mind that every man, woman and
child on board could have been saved had the Pomme-
rania had enough boats.'


THE LAST DANCE.


Herr Kurre tells strange story about one of the
storage passengers playing on a mouth harmonicon
on the preceding night before going to bed. As he
you dances it may be last chance. for who knows
but that may go down tonight" This, Of course,
all in fun but. Herr Kurrc remarks within two
hours from that time sixty or seventy people on
requiem.


HOW MISS MARY cLYMER ESCAPED.


Mary Clyner says she in berth with her
sister Rose They were awakened by the crash and
rushed deck half dressed and were there joined by
their brother who assisted Mary into boat sailor
be dragged out Young C1ymer. who remained on
the steamer seeing the boat full and the sailors try
ing to get aboard, thus endangcrng the lives Of ALL
cut the ropes and set her adrift, saying "Goodby'
his other sister in the boat but the sailors had
prevented them from getting in.


Mr.. ropPENHusER's EXPERIENCE.
Mr.. c1s.rad Pcppenhuser, Of New York ia staying
in order to obtain his version Of the disaster
He said that when he awoke the cabins were filling
with water and he made haste to escape to the deck
There he was met by the Doctor. who helped him tc





any of his effects. but he and Mr.. Alfred Faber IS
sisted to lower the first boat and put Mrs. Ohrnstiel
and some other ladies into it. Those who manned IL
did not put of until il was loaded down the waters
swamped by the third following it too closely The
latter barely avoided the vortex which caused by
the sinking of the steamer He thinks that the time
between the moment Of collision and that at which
she sunk not more than twenty minutes and it
may have been even less


GERMAN LApy's STORY.


The following is . narrative of a German lady who
was one of the passengers:--


81 intended to leave the Pommcrania at Cherboure
when We touched there, but changed my mind and
resolved to go TO Hamburg. The Captain and
officers very kind and attentive. Last night
shared my cabin with another lady. We retired soon
after ten O'Clock in excellent spirits looking forward
to speedily seeing dear old Germany again. Soon
aftcrward tho lights turned down in the cabins
About this time We were rapidly approaching the
Straits of Dover. I think it might have
been nearly midnight when 1 heard fear
full grating crash. then screams and other
sounds of confusion. I instantly reused my
companion and dressed ourselves in the greatest
possible haste As soon as We rushed up on deck We
found that large number of passengers were there
ahead Of us. 1t was too dark to what going
on but could discern my good, kind friend. Captain
Col, an, briIo civ eli Tba
crew were busy at work launching the lfeboats by
the light OF lanterns. We to the nearest boat.
held lantern while the manropes being cut and
then climbed into the boat over the side Of the sinking
vessel The did their utmost to the lives OF
the passengers. have complaint to make. The
male passengers OF the Pommerania were naturally
anxious to themselves and did not spend second
longer board the vessel than they obliged to.