Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-12

tbe Connaught, furnishes the following statement
az to the loss Of that fine steamship:
Passing the circumstances Of the voyage from
6alway, which port we left at S p m Of the 25th
ult. until about p m Of Saturday, the 5th inst :.
he says While heading westwardly, the wind
blowing northerly gale, the ship began to roll
TO the lzrboard with a singular motion. going far
down and keeping that way for long time, which
caused some alarm. Meantime the captain was
heard giving orders about steering, manning the
pumps, &c. Firemen under the lee Of the paddle
box Were observed whispering, and there were
other manifestations that something not
right. Considerable water was observed through
the grating orhe engine soon after stopped for a
, while. After strenuous exertiOns by Capt Letch
and crew. the ship rigbted and the wheels COM
menced turning, when the passengers became
more composed The sea was rough, the wind
blowing what sailors call an ordinary full gale.
Most of the passengers turned in, but passed a
restless night
SUNDAY, 8 a.m-The ship began to roll again
with that staggy motion similar to the evening
previous. The captain and crew could neither
tack nor wear the ship. Soon after the eny Inc
stopped, and steam could not bs raised In the
boilers The ship rolled frightfully to the lar
board, and the pumps were manned, and gangs
of men commenced bailing with buckets. At 10
o'clock IL was reported that the water was not
gaining, but, ON the contrary, that the pumps and
boilers were gaining on the leak, and IL the wind
would stif-n We would reach Boston that ni gb..
But these hopes Were soon changed to extreme
terror, when the word was passed round, In low
tones, Z" The ship Is on re!n accompanied by the
smell Of burning wood
The FIRE appeared between the decks Gangs
We're Immediately formed, with pumps and buck
cts, to extinguish the flames, taking the water
from the sea and passing IL in buckets. As the
fire gained the sailors began to sacken work, all
eyes staring around the horizon In hopes to see
some means Of safety. Several false reports Of a
vessel In sight were made, but at last we discov-
cred a sail to the northward, and soon after an
other 70 the westward, both very low down; but
IL became plain at one O'Clock that both were
nearing us, and the vessel steering north Lad
IN " tyva
We soon found out that the latter was passing
while the other still nsared without showing any
sign that she noticed US, which kept US In ex-
irene anxiety and doubt until she bore directly
for US, evidently showing that she observed the
steamef's flags Of distress which had been hoisted
since midday. We then commenced TO steer
away and launch boats, which was a very fydifhcult
job, the ship lying almost on her side In a trough
Of the sea By this time the nre had cut Of all
communications with the saloons The first quar-
ter boat lowered was struck by the counter and
lost, which caused hesitation about launching
the others But the worst OF our fears was that
supposiag the boats should ride the sea which
then showed signs Of modsratng, whether we
could safely launch and I'LL them with passengers
There was no chance OF remaining but short
time on board, the fre making such progress
The flames were momentarily expected TO burst
out and sweep the decks, the hre-gangs having
given up all hopes Of extnguishing them, but
continuing to apply wet blankets. &c. The side
Of the ship was then so hot that when she rolled
itwould hiss and make steam Of the ses wate.
The gallant little Yankee brig sailed along side
and hove to, seeing our deplorable situation and
showing every sign Of anxiety for ms; but we be
gan to think II would be Inn possible to stow all
our number on board, she looked so small We
have since sscertained that she was only $50 tuns
burden. Capt Leitch made all haste to get US
into the boats, which was extremely difhcult, be-
Ing lowered one by one with ropes Capt. Leitch
stood by all the time, commencing with the
women and children, but with all the exertions
that could be made when the sun went down
only about 200 had been got on board the brig
Capt Wilson, Of the brig, sid .sThis is hor-
riels affair, to see the sun going down and so
many people yet ON board, the wreck settling
and S DO m IN
reaching the brig refused 70 return, when Capt
Wilson said 81 will go almost alongside, and
take hawssf 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 O:
giving confidence, and by great exertion, all
Were got on board the brig by IL O'Clock p. m.
Captain Leitch and bis first officer remained on
board until almost surrounded with fame and
until every soul was saved. Captain Wilson then
; went alongside TO beg him to come away. The
! flames Were shooting up the masts, throwing a
.trony and melancholy light over the sea Capt
L. reached the brig at midnight scarcely par.
Gel Of baggage Was saved, the trunks and even
money of the cabin passengers being left below In
= the confession and alarm which called them on
;, beck in the morning; aftsr which communication
TVas cut OF by the water and flames
"a Ar w nipple speaks in the highest terms, as do
a the passengers, of the energy and ndness of
> sCup6 Wilson, OF the brig Minnie Schifer He was
sfe1S4 Malaga for Boston, with a cargo of fruit
- rHk CONDucr OF Cart. LKircH
SeH reliance, the parent Of disc pline was never
u Dpfe heroically manifested than upon this irving
Ihseossion. Capt Leitch com pretended at a glance
lsse extent Of the disaster and the only means Of
klaving the lives Of those entrusted TO his care
: Instead OF contending against the flames alone as
the case on board the iIl-fated Austria he
sized the proper time 10 lower and man the boat
while by the force Of his calm exam pie he quieted
the fears Of his people, and inspired his officers
and crew In the discharge of their duty
Not a blundef Of importance occurred In any of
his arrangements to prevent the disaster becoming
a tragedy Discipline, organized by a master
mind, under the protection of PrOvidence saved
over 600 lives. All honor 70 the gallant ca ptain
his officers and crew, and TO the passengers for
their ready obedience. Although every one mus,
regret the loss Of such splendid vessel. vet the
conduct Of those who controlled her disci oil ne
will be an example worthy Of imitation undes
similar circumstances Should this be the case,
her loss may yer prove gain 70 humanity. " Z
hope our whole community will take Into consid-
Grafton the destitute condition Of the passeng ers
and subscribe literally for their relief,
Let Us also call attention to the conduct of Capt
Wilson, Of the brig Minnie Schiller. He saw a
SHIP Ia distress, and did not pause to inquire the
expense Of relieving her, but like true sailor
The British Government, always prompt to rec
ogniIe the aid to their countrymen will dou q
do what Is tight by him and his owners, while our
own citizens will honor him for his skin and hu.
manity. -
THE Brig MINNIE scHrryER
The brig Minnie Schiller, the fortunate vessel
which rescued the passengers and crew Of the
COnnaught, Is a small vessel, Of only l92 ton.
|. register, belongs to Schiller Brothefs of thi,
city, and il commanded by Capt wilson Every
@ inch Of Standing room upon her decks and in her
- cabin was crowded by the rescued passene ets
some Of them being obliged to seek resting place
in her tops, and even upon the fotepeak and bow
31sprit. The boats Of the Connaught were ALA
Gken In tow, and these were also filed with pas
engen who could not dnd Standing room inside
of Tie brig's bulwarks. The ladies and children
were placed in the cabin, until this part Of the
vessel flled, and then provision was made FOL
them far as possible upon the quartef-deck
awnings being erected 70 shelter them. In thii
crowded state Of the vessel IL with the greates
dificulty that the could obtain the necessary
room to work the ship, and IL may be considered
almost miraculous that she was enabled 10 make
the port Of Boston In safety.
MELANCHOLY CASE OF SUIcIpE.-An inques
was held by Coroner Schlrmer, on the body OF
Mrs. Matilda MARI, German woman, % years ol
age, who committed suicide by taking poison
Deceased who had been married about months
was the wife Of young butcher, who 10 now pres
traed on bed Of sickness, and has been thus con.
fined for 4 term Of weeks. I'm consequence OF hiI