The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-22 00:00:00

THE DISAz:TER To THE CONNAUGLIT.

Mr. Whittall, of New York, had furnished the
filowing account of the disaster to the Con-

naught:—

"Passing the circumstances of the voyage from
Galway, which port she left at 5 o'clock p.m. on
the 25th tilt., until about S p.m. on Saturday, the
6th inst., he says :—While heading westwardly, the
wind bowing a northerly gale, the ship began
to roll to the larboard with a singular motion,
going far down, and keeping that way a long time,
which caused some alarm. Meantime the captain
was heard giving orders about steering, manning
the pumps, &c. Firemen under the lea of the

paddle-box were observed whispering, and
there were other manifestations that something was
not right. Considerable water was observed through
the gratings. The engine somewhat stopped for
awhile. After strenuous exertions by Capt. Leitch
and the crew, the ship righted and the wheels com-
menced turning, when the passengers became more
composed. The sea was rough, the wind was blow-
ing what sailors call an ordinary full gale. Most
of the passengers turned in, but passed a restless
night.

On Sunday, at 8 a.m., the ship began to rol
again with that staggy motion similar to the even
ing previous. The captain and crew could neither
tack nor wear the ship. Soon after the engine
stopped, and steam could not be raised in the
boilers. The ship rolled frightfully to the larboard,
and the pumps were manned and gangs of men
commenced bailing with buckets. At 10 o'clock it
was reported that the water was not gaining, but,
on the contrary, that the pumps and boilers were
gaining on the leak, and if the wind would stiffen
we should reach Boston that night; but these hopes
were soon changed to extreme terror when the
word was passed around in low tones " The ship is
on fire !" accompanied by the smell of burning wood.
The fire appeared between the decks. Gangs were
immediately formed, with pumps and buckets, to
extinguish the flames, taking the water from the
sea and passing it in buckets. As the fire gained,
the sailors began to slacken work, all eyes staring
around the horizon in hopes to see some means of
safety. Several false reports of a vessel in sight
were made, but at last we discovered a sail to the
northward, and soon after another to the westward,
both very low down; but it became plain at one
o'clock that both were nearing us, and the vessel
steering north had three masts, and the one west
only two. We soon found out that the latter was
passing, while the other still neared without
showing any sign that she noticed us, which
kept us in extreme anxiety and doubt until
she bore directly for us, evidently showing
that she observed the steamer's flags of
distress, which had been hoisted since midday. We
then commenced to steer *away and launch boats,
which was a very difficult job, the ship lying almost
on her side in the trough of the sea.
" By this time the fire had cut off all communi-
cation with the saloon. The first quarter boat
lowered was struck by the counter and lost, which
caused hesitation about launching the others. But
the worst of our fears was that, supposing the boats
should ride the sea, which then showed signs of
moderating, and that we could safely launch and
fill them with passengers, there was no chance of
remaining but a short time on board, the fire
making such progress. The flames were momen-
tarily expected to burst out and sweep the decks,
the fire gangs having given up all hopes of ex-
tinguishing them, but continuing to apply wet
blankets, &c. The side of the ship was then so hot
that when she rolled it would hiss and make steam
of the sea water.
"The gallant little Yankee brig sailed alongside
and hove to, seeing our deplorable situation, and
showing every sign of anxiety for us ; but we
began to think it would be impossible to stow all
our numbers on board, she looked so small. We
have since ascertained that she was only 198 tons
burthen. Captain Leitch made all haste to get us
into the boats, which was extremely difficult, being
lowered one by one with ropes (Captain Leitch
stood by all the time), commencing with the women
and children. But, with all the exertions that
could be made, when the sun went down only about
200 had been got aboard the brig. Captain Wilson,
of the brig said, "This is a horrible affair to see the
sun going down and so many people yet on board
the wreck, settling down and burning up. I will
do all in my power to save them.' Several of the
boats' crews, on reaching the brig, refused to return,
when Captain Wilson said, ' I will go almost along-
side and take a hawser from on board, and then you
will be in little or no danger. I must get every one
from the wreck.' This he did, which had the effect of
giving confidence, and by great exertion all were
got on board the brig by 11 o'clock p.m. Captain
Leitch and his first officer remained on board until
almost surrounded with flames, and until every soul
was saved. Captain Wilson then sent alongside to
beg him to come away. The flames were shooting
up the masts, throwing a strong and melancholy
light over the sea. Captain Leitch reached the brig
just at midnight. Scarcely a parcel of baggage was
saved, the trunks and even money of the cabin pas-
sengers being left below during the confusion and
the alarm which called them on deck in the morn-
ing, after which communication was cut off by the
water and the flames. The Connaught had £lO,OOO
in gold on board, Government money, taken at St.
John's, which was lost with the ship. 300 of the
passengers went to New York by the Fall River
route ; the remainder are taken care of here by their
friends."