Wreck of an Emigrant Ship.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 310, 11 June 1889, Page 4

Wreck of an Emigrant Ship.

London, April 26.

A graphic description of the rescue of the Danmark’s passengers is given by Mr C. A. Henpel, her purser. He says :—“ We left Christiansand with 665 passengers and a crew of 69. The weather was nasty and thick, with head winds, until April 4, when there was a heavy gale blowing from southwest. Shortly after three in the afternoon of that day passengers were startled by a heavy thumping noise in the after part of the ship, which trembled as if struck by an iceberg. There was great alarm among the steerage passengers, but there was nothing like a panic, after they were assured by the officers that there was no immediate danger of sinking. Investigation showed that the shaft was broken at the coupling, about 30 feet from the propeller. The forward part of the broken end of the shaft slipped from the socket and had been thrashing around among the embers until the ship splintered through to the keel, began to leak freely, and the water came in faster than it could be pumped out. The vessel gradually settled at the stern, and it became

apparent that the ship was doomed. The Danmark lay helpless in the trough of the sea for several hours, rolling and pitching violently. It was impossible to stop the leaks, and it became merely a question as to how long we should be able to keep the vessel afloat, Finally, by the use of sails, it was found possible to keep the ship’s head up to the wind, and she rode more easily as night came on. The people suffered untold agonies of suspense. The passengers came on deck and eagerly peered into the dark night in the hope of seeing the lights of some passing steamer. Meantime the gale was increasing, and the decks were constantly flooded by waves. The officers attempted to persuade the frightened passengers to go below, but they preferred remaining on deck, ready to escape by the boats, should it be finally decided to abandon the ship. The constant settling of the vessel increased the fears of the passengers, but, strange to say, they became calmer as the seas grew more angry and danger increased. Gathered in the steerage forward were several hundred men, women, and children, who divided the time by praying, singing, and talking, in subdued tones, About half the passengers insisted on remaining on deck till far into the night. The boats were got in readiness so that the vessel could be abandoned at any moment, but it became evident that the danger of embarking in small boats was quite as great as that which confronted the people on board. The night was an especially anxious one, and the break of day was never hailed with greater joy than by the almost despairing people on the Danmark. During the morning hours the storm abated somewhat, but the water continued to rise in the hold, and the fate of the steamer was steadily approaching. Shortly after noon a black streak of smoke on the horizon indicated the

approach of a steamer, and hope again filled every heart. Hearty cheers went up from the men, and women cried for joy when it became apparent that they had been seen, and that the steamer was coming to their assistance. The passengers hugged each other in their joy. The coming steamer proved to be the Missouri, and the captain agreed to take the Danmark’s passengers if necessary. In the meantime, as he had accommodation for nothing but freight, he thought it would be better to take the Danmark in tow. The next day it was found necessary to abandon the ship, and all on board were transferred to the Missouri in her small boats and our own seven boats. All this was done without a single mishap, although a heavy sen was running and the wind was blowing hard. We were treated with the utmost kindness by Captain Murrell, of the Missouri, who proved himself to be not only one of the finest sailors who ever trod a deck, but the kindest hearted gentleman who ever extended aid to a shipwrecked company.”