Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-11-30
SHOCKING DISASTER /!
Steamer Ocean Burnt /!

City and Eastern State, were within short
distance Of each other between Deer Island
and Long Island, on their way out of the har-
Dor, and there met the English Mail Steamer
Canada, coming in--that the Canada succeed
ed in clearing all but the Ocean, which boat
in an unfortunate moment undertook to cross
her bows, and was struck by that steamer just
abaft the larboard wheel-house, cutting a large
hole in the side of the Ocean, through which
the water rushed with great rapidity The
stove in the room occupied by H. J.. Wing,
Carpenters Express Messenger, was over
turned, and before the Canada had separated
from the Ocean, the latter steamer was on fire,
and shortly burned to the waters edge.
The greatest CONSERVATION prevailed among
the passengers, when the injury to the boat
and the fact that she was on fire was made
known, and many of them leaped overheard,
one after another, into the water, until
through the GOODNESS of two or three of the
passengers, the remainder were induced to
stick by the burning vessel. The flames
spread rapidly, and the Canada Immediately
came to anchor, and boats were lowered from
| her, but they did not approach very near the
wreck. In the meanwhile, the steamer East
ern State, which was two or three miles
ahead, put about, and proceeded to the scene
Of disaster, and dropped anchor. Capt. Ran
dali Immediately despatched his boats to the
rescue, and succeeded in picking up thirty or
forty, most of whom were the Canadas pas
sengers, who, in the excitement Of the moment
had jumped on board the Ocean. The boats
of the other steamers also were speedily
manned, and were active in picking up such
persons as had jumped overheard, and rescu-
ing others from the burning steamer.
I The whole number ascertained to have been
saved is 81, and the number known to have
been drowned 4-making total Of SO, which
must be nearly, if not quite, the whole num-
Der of passengers and crew on board
Mr.. Hiram l.. Wing, of this city, was bad
I ly burned, and was taken to the Hospital in
Boston, where he fingered in extreme pain
until about halfpast one o'clock, Saturday
afternoon, when he died. The Journal says
During Friday night he was delirious,
but with brandy as stimulant, he rallied
somewhat on Saturday morning. At about
eleven, however, he grew heavy and dull, and
in little over two hours breathed his last
| The physicians, we hear, are inclined to the
opinion, that the inhalation Of steam FASTENED
his death, rather than any injuries received. .
a.:
Monday and buried on Tuesday. Mr.. Wing
was printer, having been formerly associat-
ed with Mr.. Hanes in the publication of the
Mirror, and more recently with Mr.. RoweIl,
in the Hallowell Gazette. He was one of the
best practical printers in the State, as he was
also one Of the most industrious and enterprs-
ing. He was % years Of age, and leaves a
wife and child in this city.
Three dead bodies were picked up, and
have been identified, viz :-Jabez Robinson oi
Gardner, Mary Donovan. and child named
Clara Smiley, Of this city.
CAPT DoxovAN's STATEMENT.
Capt. Richard Donovan, master of the
Ocean, furnishes the following statement -
\ "We left our wharf at the usual hour, Is
I o'clock.) and proceeded on our course for
Bath, Augusta, HaloweI, and other places
on the kennebec, having on board from sew
enty-fve TO one hundred passengers; it is
impossible to say with certainty Just how
many, as the list and all other papers were de-
stroyed there might have been no more than
25 women. At the time just before the COLI
sion, we WERE aware Of the approach of the
Canada and knew that if she kept on her
course, she would inevitably strike US but as
our lights were up and our whistle blowing.
we we're confident that she saw and heard Us,
and would turn from her course there were
several other bOats-the steamer Boston For
est City, and Eastern State and ship and
brig quite near US; we were trying to pass 10
the right, but the Canada bore directly for us
we perceived this and continued a souther.y
course. The Forest City and Ocean were
nearly side by side, perhaps the former might
have been quarter Of mile off. Finding
that the Canada was fast coming upon Us, and
must soon strike, we hailed her as loud as
possible, calling upon them 10 put their helm
hard to port if they had complied, we should
have gone clear, and the collision could not
have occurred. The lights of the Canada
were ulSpldyeu, out on Sne came, and those oil
the crew and passengers who were aware Of
the periOus condition we were in manifested
the greatest CONSERVATION. The Canada
seemed TO stop moment before the collision
or at any rate to lessen her speed | was in
the wheel-house with the pilot when the shock
took place; it was indeed awful the bows
of the British steamer struck US Just abaft the
larboard wheel, cutting a fearful chasm in our
side and admitting the water in torrents
Immediately ran below to ascertain the extent
of the damage, and to my utter horror per-
celyed that the steamer sinking, and that
she was on fire. | hurried upon deck to give
the necessary directions, when the most ap-
palling spectacle met my eye. Men, women
and children were running in all directions
shrieking for aid, and many threw themselves
into the sea. The flames had in few mo-
ments made such fearful Roadway that there
was no hope or probability of checking their
progress and as everything was dry and COM
bustible, the fire spread with alarming rapid
ty all over the deck. The flames burned the
rigging, interior of the boat, drapery, every
thing, in fine, was sheet Of fre-al but a
portion of the deck forward. saw the per-
lous condition, and endeavored to the extent
Of my ability to restore and preserve order
and with reasonable success. | ordered the
passengers all forward, as that was The only
point of safety, and ordered the boats 10 be
lowered instantly with view Of saving the
passengers and crew. Before the flames had