PERILS OF THE SEA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2153, 20 May 1914, Page 7

PERILS OF THE SEA

SHIPWRECKED SAMS'

STORY

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS IN; OPEN BOAT HUNGER AND INSANITY By Telecra pit— Press Association—Coßjrrielrt Halifax (fifeva Scotia), May IS. Tho revemio (.-utter Seneca lias arrived with the four survivors of the Columbian, which was abandoned on lire in mid-ocean. Their condition is serious, but it is believed that they will live. Tiiev are:

Tlio chief officer (Mr. Robert Teire). Two seamen (Kendal and Belangcr), and a fireman (Lurwigsson), Captain Johnson, tlio Seneca's commander, states the i the survivors abandoned the Columbian in the middle of tlio night, and kept her in sight owing to tho glare of the flames until daylight, 'when rain Mi, and they lost sight of the vessel. They remained in the neighbourhood. Imping to be picked up, and tried to light a lantern, but tlio waterproof matchcs had b«m«« wotted. After, that they drifted, and saw steamer after steamer pass by the horizon. A Cunard liner came within plain sight, and headed towards them ; then changed her course and disappeared.

Aftcrwo.rds rain and fog prevented them from seeing other vessels. A sailor's coat wii-s hoisted on the boat, and caught- the attention of tho Seneca's lookout. This led to tlio reseuo. What the Rescuers saw, Tlio survivors left the Cob.HJibi.an so hurriedly oil the night of the fire that they had Jul time to secure provisions except those i.hey stored in the lifeboat for emergencies. Tho single cask of water was soijn exhausted, but rain fell, enabling the men to avoid thirst. Hunger, however, dominated them, their only foot! being a small supply of hard-tack. One after auetber the- men died, some becoming insane before- dentil, drinking salt water. Their comrades cast. over their bodies into the sea witli their little remaining strength' Some were badly burned and collapsed after the first- day's cxnosure. The four rescued, men were found huddled in the bottom of the boat-. They were unable to talk. An extraordinary feature of the shipwreck is that a search by five Transatlantic liners for several days proved fruitless.