ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 9

ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN.

TBAGip STORY OF COLOrBIAN'S JlE>\ ONE AFTER ANOTHER, TWELVE OF PARTY DIE. SOME BECOME INSANE. (By Cable—Pre*e Association.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, May 18. The Seneca has arrived at Halifax if Nova Scotia) with the four survivors from the Columbian, which was burnt at sea. The other twelve men in the boat died of exposure.

The condition of the survivors is serious, but it is believed that they will live.

They left the Cohimbrian so hurriedIv that they had no time to secure provisions, except those stored iv the lifeboat for emergencies.

Tho single- cask of water in tho boat was soon exhausted, but, raiu fell, enabling tho men to avoid tho horror of thirst.

Hunger, however, bceamo their portion, their only food being a small supply of hard stuff.

Efforts were raado to attract tho attention of steamers. Several passed, hut uone noticed them.

Ono after another, twelve of the iriy of sixteen died, somo becoming insane through drinking salt water.

Their comrades cast tho bodies into ho tea with their \Jilt Jo remaining strength.

Some who were badly burned, colJapsed after the first day's exposure.

The four rescued were found huddied in the bottom of tho boat, unable to talk.

The extraordinary feature of the search is that fivo trans-Atlantic liners wore- searching several days fruitlessly.

Tbe rescued men a.re the chief officer, Robert Teire.. Kendall and Bolanger, sailors, and Lurwigsson, a fireman.

Captain Johnson, the Seneca's commander, states that tho survivors say they abandoned tho Columbian in tho middle of the night. They kept her in sight by the glare of tho flames until daylight, when rain fell., and they then lost , sight of her. Tho party remained in the neighbourhood, hoping to be picked up. Tney tried to light a lauterzj, but the waterproof matches become wet. After that they just drifted- They saw ■steamer after steamer -"ass by on tho horizon. A Cunard liner came within sight, and headed towards them, and then changed its course, and disappeared. Afterwards, much rain and fog prevented them seeing other vessels. A sailor's coat hoisted in tho boat caught tho attention of tho Seneca's look-out, which led to the rescue.