New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-10-15
Metu OrIeans 1aiIp Crestfnt
Loss Of she steamship connaugIt.

LOSS OF the steamship
The magnificent steamship Connaught, of the
Galway line, was lost the It'll inst, during the
passage from st. Johns N. F., to Boston, the crew
and passengers fortunately escaping, though mar
rowly, with their lives. From the New York
Herald OF the 10th we extract the following par
ticulars: .~.
The brig Minnie Schiller arrived at one O'Clock.
She is about 200 tons burthen, and the standing
room on her was completely covered by the res
cued passengers of the Connaught.
STATEMENT OF Nh. WITTELL, OF New ioRK.-
Mr.. H. Wittell, of New York, passenger on the Con
naught, furnishes the following statement as to the
loss of that fine steamship:
Passing the circumstances OF the voyage from
Galway which port we left at o'clock X. Nj. on
the 25tl ult., until about P. N. of Saturday, the
9th inst, he says While heading westwardly, the
roll to the larboard with singular motion, going
far down, and keeping that way long time,
which caused some alarm. Meantime the captain
was heard giving orders about steering. manning
the pumps, etc. Firemen under the lea of the pad
de-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
A while. After strenuous eXertions by Capt. Leitch
and crew, the ship rghted and the wheels com
meneed turning, when the passengers became
more composed. The sea was rough, the wind
was blowing what sailors call an ordinary full gale
Most Of the passengers turned In but passed rest
On Sunday at 8 A. M. the ship began to roll
again, with that STACEY 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 boil
| ers. The ship rolled frightfully to the larboard
and the pumps were manned and gangs OF mel
commenced battling with buckets. At 10 O'CLOCK
it was reported that the water not gaining, bu
on the contrary that the pumps and boilers were
gaining on the leak, and if the wind would sitter
we would reach Boston that night; but these hope:
were soon changed to extreme terror, when the
| word was passed around in low tones, g The ship
is on fire p, accompanied by the smell Of burning
wood. The fire appeared between the decks
Gangs were Immediately formed, with pumps and
buckets to extingush the flames, taking the water
from the sea and passing it in buckets. AS the fire
| gained, the sailors began to slacken work AL
| eyes staring around the horizon in hopes to sec
| some means of safety Several false reports of 9
vessel in sghtwere made but at last we discovered
sail to the northward, and soon after another tt
the westward both very low down; but it became
4 plain at O'Clock that both were nearing us, ant
the vessel steering north had three masts and the
I one west only two. We soon found out that thu
| latter was passing. while the other still nearet
/ without showing any sign that she noticed US
| which kept us in extreme anxiety and doubt unit
she bore directly for us, evidently showing that She
observed the steamers flags of distress, which hat
| been hoisted since midday. We then commenced
| to steer away and launch boats, which was yer,
difficult job, the ship lying almost on her side il
the trough of the sea.
By this time the fire had cut off all communca
ton with the saloon The first quarter boat lowere'
| was struck by the counter and lost, which cause
hesitation about launching the others. But tn
| worst of our fears was that, supposing the boat
| should ride the sea- which then showed signs Q
moderating. and that we could safely launch an
fill them with passengers there was no chance 9
remaining but short time ON board, the fire mai
ing such progress. The flames were momentaril
expected to burst out and sweep the decks, I'll
fire gangs having given up all hopes of extingusl
ing them hut continuing to apply wet blankets
etc The side of the ship was then so hot tina
when she rolled it would hiss and make steam (
the sea water.
The gallant little Yankee brig sailed alongsid
and hove to- seeing our deplorabe situation, an
showing every sign of anxiety for us; but we bt
gan to think it would be impossible to stow all on
numbers on board, she looked SO small. We hav
since ascertained that she was only one hundre
and ninety eight tons burthen. Capt Leitch mad
all haste to get us into the boats, which was e:
tremely difficult, being lowered one by one wi
ropes. Capt. Leitch stood by all the time) col
mencing with the women and children. But wi
ali the exertions that could be made, when the ST
S went down, only about two hundred had been G
e on board the brig. Capt Wilson, of the brig, sal
"This is horrible affair to SEE the going doy
and SO many people yet on board the wreck Sc
ling down and burning up. Will DO all IN i
:, power to save them.a
=" Several of the boats crews, on reaching I
brig, refused to return, when Capt. Wilson sa
g 1 will go almost alongside and take haws
% from on board and then you will he in little or
danger. must get every one from the wreck
. This he did, which had the effect of giving con
dence, and by great exertions all were got
!, bsard the brig by eleven o'clock P. NJ.
u Capt. Leitch and his first officer remained
: board until almost surrounded in fames and un
every soul was saved. Capt. Wilson then Sc
9 alongside to beg him to come away. The fam
were shooting up the masts, throwing strong a
melancholy light over the sea. Capt. Lett
i reached the brig just at midnight.
r Scarcely parcel of the baggage was save
/ the trunks and even money of the passengers bei
left below during the confusion aud alarm viii
Il called them on deck in the morning, after viii
communication was cut of by the water and Il
IS flames.
Mr.. Whittell speaks in the highest terms, as
\ all the passengers, of the energy and kindness
e Capt. John Wilson, of the brig Minnie Schitfe
He was from Malaga for Boston, with cargo
fruit.