VACATION PARTY IN PERIL.
STEAMER ATHOS ARRIVES OFF SCOTLAND LIGHT-SHIP WITH
A TALE OF WOE AND A LOT OF SICK AND
HUNGRY PASSENGERS.
“New York, Aug. 22.—The steamer Athos, seventeen days late, with eight passengers, a cargo of rotten bananas and the bones of half-eaten sharks on board, arrived off Scotland light-ship late last night.
“July 30 the Donald Steamship Company’s steamer Athos left Port Antonio, Jamaica, for New York, a six day’s voyage, with provisions in plenty for this short period. Three hours out of port an eccentric rod on the engine broke, and from that hour until last Sunday, proceeding sometimes only an hour a day under her own steam, the Athos drifted at the mercy of storms, in constant danger of famine, once without drinking water, and receiving supplies from time to time from passing vessels, until the disabled steamer gave up Aug. 20 and signaled the Altai for a tow. This steamer brought the Athos to New York.
“The trouble was in the engine all the time. From July 30 to Aug. 7 one to two breaks daily were recorded. The log chronicles the fact that the daily delay was only thirty minutes long Aug. 5. Two days later the catching of the sharks is recorded. Chinamen on board attempted to eat the sharks, but the meat made them ill and the fish were thrown into the sea. During the next two days boats were lowered from the Athos in search of food fish.
“BANANAS TAINT WATER.”
“Aug. 8 the disabled steamer sighted the steamship Adirondack and signaled ‘All well on board,’ but Aug. 10 the last tank of water was opened and was found to be tainted with the juice of rotting bananas. Some dolphin were caught two days later, and Aug. 13 the incipient famine was relieved by the steamer Montevideo, which supplied provisions.
“Between Aug. 10 and 17 the engine’s shaft was useless, and not only was the steamer forced to drift about while repairs were under way, but for two days of this period a great storm and high seas broke over the helpless steamship. The log meanwhile indicates that more dolphin were caught. Aug. 18 the coupling flange broke and the Athos abandoned the attempt to make New York under her own steam, after twenty days of repeated accidents. It was decided to accept the first offer of a tow. This did not come for two days, during which a second famine was averted by the steamer Vera, which came alongside the Athos, supplying food and drink.