Skip to main content
Advanced Search
A terrible experience - the Nord Deutscher Lloyd's steamship SAALE runs foul of an enormous iceberg
A terrible experience - the Nord Deutscher Lloyd's steamship SAALE runs foul of an enormous iceberg

A terrible experience - the Nord Deutscher Lloyd's steamship SAALE runs foul of an enormous iceberg

Maker
Date1889
Object number00003593
NameEngraving
MediumEngraving on paper, hand coloured Woodpulp paper
DimensionsOverall: 440 × 590 mm
Mount / Matt size (B Fini Mount): 560 × 407 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionAn engraving from the Town and Country Journal titled 'A terrible experience - the Nord Deutscher Lloyd's steamship SAALE runs foul of an enormous iceberg'. The SAALE was a luxurious vessel, built to accommodate 224 first class, 94 second class, and 850 third class passengers. The vessel suffered a terrible fire in 1900 while berthed at Hoboken in New York when 99 passengers were killed.HistoryAn account of the near miss was recorded in Sydney's Australian Town and Country Journal on Saturday, 10 August 1889. "An Ocean Peril. ENCOUNTERING AN ICEBERG. A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. The Norddeutscher Lloyd's steamship SAALE, which arrived at New York recently, had during her trip a peculiar experience, and a startlingly narrow escape from great peril, having ENCOUNTERED AN ICEBERG 260 miles from Cape Eace, and yet escaped uninjured. At the time of the encounter-about midnight-there was a very thick fog ; and the captain was on the bridge with his second officer. The captain suddenly detected small ice in the water close to the ship. Springing to the signal apparatus, he stopped the engines. At the same time the fog seemed to lift; and, looking through his night glass, the captain saw, about six boat lengths ahead, A HUGE ICEBERG, looming from 50ft to 70ft in height, but with foundations of seven times as many feet in depth. The SAALE was heading straight for it; but the order, "Hard a port" was promptly given- the passengers meanwhile crowding the decks, appalled at the sight. The great bulk and uncontrollable impetus of the ship seemed to carry them to an overwhelming destruction. The icewall loomed higher and higher. It reflected the lights of the ship ; and it gave back the sound of the wash of the parted waters at her bow. But slowly she swerved to starboard, and then, as if by magic, she gave a great surge, away, as it were, from that mighty " overhang " of ice, and with a heavy careen to starboard, and a TERRIFYING CRUNCHING AND GRINDING along her iron sides, forged into the clear water ; while the iceberg, all glittering with the ship's lights, and with the waves lashing furiously about its base, vanished astern, and was lost. The SAALE had run upon the submerged foot of . the iceberg, and had slid safely off. The shock had thrown everything movable to the deck, but everybody was thankful. The passengers held a thanksgiving service on the following day, and a presentation of plate was made to Captain Richter in recognition of the admirable seamanship displayed by him in the moment of danger." SignificanceAlthough not the longest journey on the immigration route, the journey from Europe to the United States was still a hazardous one and near misses such as this by the SAALE served as a reminder to passengers and crew alike.