A STORMY VOYAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 81, 7 April 1902, Page 2

A STORMY VOYAGE.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE NECKAR,

News was received . yesterday (says a Sydney exchange of April 2) that the large twin screw steamship Neckar, of the North German L-loyd line, with her propeller disabled, was towed into Halifax Harbour on February 26 by the steamer Karlsruhe, of the same line, and 'the British steamer Matin Head, of the Head line. The Neckar and the Karlsruhe were both from Bremerli-iven for New York, with a combined passenger list of 2500 people. The Matin Head and the Karlsruhe fell in with tire Neckar on the same day that the accident happened, and both stood by the disabled vessel. The Matin Head was bound from New Orleans for Havre. The Neckar came into port under her own steam after battling for nine days with the gales that swept the North Atlantic. In one of these gales both propellers were disabled.and the rudder shaft was broken. The Karlsruhe was at hand, and in response to the signals for assistance stood by. Eight times connections were made between the two big steamers, and as many times the Karlsruhe lost her row. Time and again after the lines parted the Neckar drifted at the mercy of the wind and waves, but Captain Hurrassowitz stuck to his post and the vessel was broug-ht safely to Halifax, sometimes in tow of the Karlsruhe and sometimes under her own steam, and always convoyed hy the Karlsruhe and the Matin Head. The officers and crew had >a thrilling- experience for the nine days that they battled with the elements. For the first four days not a man of the crew got more than half an hour's sleep, and from the time of the accident Captain Hurrasowitz slept but 12 hours. Three blades of the port propeller were carried away, one and a half of the starboard propeller and the rudder shaft was broken in two places. The first and second officers of the Karlsruhe and the boatswain received serious injuries. The passengers on the disabled steamer were none the worse for their exciting experience. The Neckar was expected to be detained at Halifax for six weeks.