Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-10-18
THURSDAY, OCTOBER l8, 1860,

the others But the worst of our fears
was that supposing the boats should ride
the sea, which then showed signs of mod
Grating. whether we could safely launch
and fill them with passengers.
There was no chance of remaining On
board but short time, the fire making
such progress The flames were momen-
ta-iiy expected to burst out and sweep the
decks, the fire gangs having given up all
hopes Of extinguishing them, but contiuu-
ing to apply wet blankets, etc. The side
G. 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 ev-
cry sign of anxiety for us bat we began
to think it would be impossible to stow all
our number on board, she looked so small
We have since ascertaned that she was
only one hundred and eighty tons burthen.
I Captain Leitch made all haste to get US in
to the boats, which was extremely difficult,
! being lowered one by one with ropes.
/ Captain Leitch stood by all the time. com
mencino with the women and children,
! but with ali the cxertions that could be
made, when the sun went down only about
/ 2OU had heen got on board the brig
Capt Wilson. OF the brig, said, This
! is horrible affair, to see the sun going
down and So many people yet Ga board, the
wreck settling down and burning up. L
will do all in my power to save them
Several of the boats crew on reaching the
brig refused to return, when Captain Will
son said : | will 20 almost alongside, and
take hawser from on board, and then you
will be in little or no danger, | 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 | / o'clock =. N.
Capt Leitch and his first officer remain
ed on board nntil almost surrounded with
flame, and until every person was saved.
Capt Wilson then sens alongside t. 1e2
him to come away The flames were shoot
ing up the masts, throwing strong and
melancholy light oyer 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 confu,
sion and alarm which called them on deck
in the morning; after which communica
ton was cut off 10y the water and flames.
Mr.. Whippell speaks in the hiShes
terms, as do all the passengers, of the en-
ergy and kindness Of Capt. John Wilson
of the brig Minnie Schiller. lie was from
Malaga for Boston, with cargo Of fruit
The steamship Connaught was built by
Messers. Palmer Bros x Co Of Newcastlt
upon Tyne, and was launched On the is
Of April, 1860 She Is an iron vessel 31>
feet in length breadth Of beam. III feet
depth of hold, 81 feet 500 horse powe
engines. She is 2,060 tons builder
measurment, or about 1870 toms hurIen
and is schooner rugged She carried ei2h
boats Of the best English make, aud they
were capable Of sustaining from 200 to 3UI
passengers in moderate weather. Tn
Connaught also had the number of life
pIescrvers ordered by the act Of Parliament
She was on her second voyage. On he
first voyage she made the passage in tel
days. She was, in every respect, first
! class vessel, and her passengers have in
variably spoken in the highest terms o
her sea qualities. She was commanded b,
Capt. Leitch, who is brother of Cap
Leitch, of the Cunard line. This line con
= sists Of the Leinster, Ulster, Parana, Paci
: ic, Prince Albert, Munster (now building,
- They ply between Boston and Galway, Ire
Z land.