Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-16
THE STEAMER HUNGARIAN.


We published some news from the Var
mouth (N 81 Tribune in regard to the wreck
of the steamship Hungarian. We have re-
ceived from the Merchants Exchange News
Room later copy of the Tribune, from which
we take the following details of this mourntul
disaster, gathered from the lips of residents
near the scene, and from the most reliable
sources:
The ill-fated steamship is reported to have
been seen by coastng vessel, off Liverpool,
about six, P. NJ. on Sunday, apparently steering
n. N. W., which, unless she were at distance
of at least twenty five miles from the coast,
must have been hearty four points off her,true
course. AT three O'Clock on the following
morning, man named Barry Nickerson, re-
siding on Cape Sable, deserted, exactly in the
direction of the reef known as the "Horse
Race" what he took to be the lights of
steamer. These lights when first seen were
stationary, and remained immovably in the
same position as our informant thinks, for
rathor more than half an hour, when they ap-
peared to move very swiftly in Northwestern
ly direction, and in the course of ten or fifteen
minutes became once more stationary. Mr..
Henry Nickerson, who resides on Fish Island
states that he first saw the light in the position
which the wreck now occupies, at four o'clock,
and comprehending that some unknown YES
sci was in distress, aroused his son and
neighbour crossed in fishing skff the inlet
which divides the island from Cape Sable and
in the hope of attracting the attention of the
crew, exhibited lighted lantern from the
highest point of land that could be found.
The lights of the unknown vessel continued
to be visible until daylight when they disap-
peared, probably in consequence of the fall of
the mast to which they were attached. AS
6sy ia'ned Inc hull OF a large steamship was
plainly discernable on the "Great Rip dan
gerouS ledge about two miles southwest of
Cape Sable, the foremost gone, the malnmast,
mzzenmast, and smoke pipe only standing,
and the sea making a constant breach over the
ship. The rigging of the mainmast had the
appearance, according to the statements OF our
intormantS, Of being crowded with human be-
ings, to the number of between fifty and sixty
IA suppostlon we see no reason to discredit.
About half an hour after sunrise the mainmast
was seen to go overb0ard-the smoke-pipe dis
appeared soon atterwards-and the missenmast
followed about 10 A. NJ. The spectacle is de-
scribed by those who witnessed it as one of
terrific grandcur--the sea around white with
breakers, the doomed ship rolling heavily as
surge after surge broke against her iron sides,
the spray dashing in volumes to the hight of
her masthead, and the pillows pouring in
ceaSeess eateracts upon her decks.
At 8 A. NJ. the wreck began to break up, and
the surface Of the deep was soon strewn with
packages of light goods, the lading of her up
per decks. The ebb tide, aided by a strong
westerly wind, carried these articles for the
first few hours in the direction Of Baccaro, and
into the bays and inlets beyond. The flood
tide for the next few hours carried whatever
was washed from the wreck i'll an opposite di
rection. On Tuesday, the wind having mod
Grated, and the sea being completely smooth,
a great number of boats and several small YES
sells put off in search of the drifting merchan-
disc. Between four and fl re hundred boats it
is computed, were for the first three or four
days engaged in this manner. Tho bales be-
ing generally of a size which precluded their
being taken into boat, were broken open with
few blows Of an axe, the contents lifted on
board and the box allowed to go adrift. The
quantity Of goods thus saved must have been
immense but their wide dispersion will rem
der the task of collecting them for sale rather
a formidable undertaking.
Several of the mail bags of the Hungarian
were picked up on Tuesday, and one or two
others on the following day. These were
taken charge of by the magistrates and have
, ere now been forwarded to Halifax. A boat of
about fifteen feet keel with the oars dashed,
drifted into Port Latour, bottom up. Other
boats, shattered to pieces, have been seen
floating in the vicinity. The gunwale of one
of them was picked up by Capt. Cook, of
schooner Melrose, on Saturday. One of the
masts came ashore at Shag Harbor, and an.
other at Fish Island. The latter spar has still
attached to it portion of the plate iron by
which it was connected with the decks. The
only bodies yet found were that of a man, sup
posed to have been one of the firemen of the
ship, which was found at Shag Harbor, and
that of female child about two years old ,
which was washed ashore at Stony Island.
Inquests were held on both these bodies, and
both were decently inferred. The report that
the body of man had been discovered at Cat
Point, near Baccaro, is without foundation, as
is also, we hope, the statement that the corpse
of an infant, picked up at sea, was consigned
again to the deep by the owner of the boat. in
- eagerness to secure the tempting prizes
with which the surface of the water at the
time was covered.