MAROONED IN THE ICE

Southland Times, Issue 18840, 5 June 1920, Page 11

MAROONED IN THE ICE

PRIVATIONS ON STEAMER. Canadian despatches contain a thrilling account cf the terrible experiences which 60 passengers and a crew of 105 hands had for a period of eight weeks on board the British steamer Prosperro, which jammed in ice while on a voyage from St. John, New Brunswick, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, during which time all cm board, especially the passengers suffered intensely from bitter cold and want of sufficient food. When the Prospcro first got fast in the icc-tloes in response to signals a rescue steamer endeavoured to reach her, but without success. After being two weeks marooned in the ice the provisions gave out, and the commander of the vessel was driven to the necessity of placing all hands on short rations, the want of the bare necessaries of life later on became so acute that signals for food had to bo made, with the result that provisions for the suffering people were, with great difficulty, sent by sledges over the ice to the ship. To add to their sufferings, snowstorms swept over the steamer in quick succession, causing intense hardship from cold. About the middle of February the ice broke up and a passage was made, which enabled the steamer to reach the open sea and make port at Wellington, Newfoundland. The passengers said their experience was one never to be forgotten.