Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-10
Additional Particulars OF the Burning of
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steamer COnnaught.
BosroN, October 9. = The, brig Minnie
iScheifer arrived here at one O'Clock this
afternoon. She is about 200 tuns burden,
and the standing room on her was COM
pletely covered by the rescued passengers.
Mr.. II. Whittel, of New York, a passenger,
furnishes the following statenent
passing the circumstances of the voyage
from Galway, which port we left at hve Z.
NJ, on the 25th ult. until about eight P. NJ.
of Saturday the 9th inst, while heading
westwardly, the wind blowing a northerly
gale, the ship began to roll to the larboard
with a singular motion, going far down, aud
keeping that way for long time which
caused some alarm. Meantime the Captain
was heard giving orders. about steering,
manning the pumps, &c, iremen under the
lee of the paddle boxes, observed whisper
ing, and other manifestations that something
was not right. Considerable water was
observed through the gratings, and the en-
gines soon after stopped for while.
"After strenuous eXertions by the captain
and crew, the ship righted and the wheels
commenced turning when the passengers
became more composed. The SEQ was rough,
the wind blowing what sailors call an ordl-
nary full gale. Most of the passengers turned
in, but passed a restless night.
SUNDAY, 8 A. M.-The ship began to roll
again with shaggy notion similar to the
evening previous. The captain and crew
could neither tack nor wear the ship.
Soon after the engines stopped, and steam
could not be raised in the boilers. The ship
rolled frightfully to the larboard. The pumps
were manned, and gangs of men commenced
bailing with buckets. At ten o'clock it was
reported that the water was not gaining
but on the contrary the men and pumps were
gaining on the leak, and if the wind would
stihen we could reach Boston that night but
these hopes were soon changed to extreme
terror, when the word was passed around in
low tones that the ship was on fire, accom-
panied by the smell of burning wood.
1.-THE fire soon appeared between the decks.
Gangs of men 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 bailers began to slacken work, all eyes
staring around the horizon in hopes of some
means of rescue. Several false reports of a
vessel in sight were made, but at last we
discovered sail to the northward and soon
after another to the westward, both very
low down, but at one o'clock, it became evi-
dent that 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 show
ing any signs that she noticed us, which kept
bore directly for our vessel, evidently show
ing that she observed the steamers flag of
distress, which had been hoisted.
I'VE then commenced to clear away and
launch the 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 communication With the saloon.
The first quarter-boat lowered was struck by
the counter and lost which caused hesitation
about launching the other, 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 momentarily ex-
pected to burst out and sweep the decks,
The fire gangs had given up all hopes of ex-
tinguishing the fire, but continued 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 impos-
sible to store all our members on board, she
looked 80 small. We have since ascertained
that she was only 1893 tuns burden.
Captain Lietch made all haste to get us
into the boats, which was extremely diff
cult being lowered one by one with ropes,
commencing with the women and children.
Captain Lietch stood by all the time, but,
with all the exertions that could be made,
when the sun went down only about 200 had
been got on board the brig.
Captain Wilson, of the brig, said: "This is
a horrible affair, to see the sun going down
ard so many people yet on board the wreck,
settling down and burning up. / will do all
in my power TO save them"
Several of the boats crew, on reaching the
brig, refused to return, when Captain Wilson
said: 81 will go almost alongside and take a
bawser 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 ez qrton, all were |
Leitch and his first officer remaining on
board until almost surrounded by the flames,
and until every soul was saved.
Capt Wilson then sent alongside to beg |
him to come away, the flames were shooting |
up the masts, throwing a strange and melan-
choly light over the sea. Capt. Leitch
reached the brig just atmidnight. Scarcely
q parcel of baggage was saved, the trunks
and even the money of the cabin passengers
being left below during the confusion and
alarm, which called them on deck in the
morning, after which communication was
cut off by the water and flames.
Mr. Whipple speaks in the highest terms,
as do all the passengers, of the energy and
kindness ofCapt. Wilson.
He was from Malaga, for Boston, with
cargo of fruit.
The COnnaugM had 10000 iu gold on
board, Government money, taken at st.
Johns, which was lost with the ship.
Three hundred of the passengers went to
New York, tonight, by the Fall River route.
Inc remainder are taken care of here by