Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-10-13
Bosros, October 9.

DosToF, OctOpef y.
i, 10 rumored that the steamship Con.
naught was burnt at seq on Sunday, and that
part OF her crew and passengers we're saved
by o brig, aud have arrived al Scituate.
Captain Leitcb, Of the steamer Connaught,
reports that on Saturday, the 9th inst, at
p. NJ, one hundred aud fifty miles east OF
Boston. the ConDaught sprung alesk in the
engine room.
Succeeded in keeping it below the fires
until one o'clock on Sunday morning, when it
commenced TO gain rapidly, and finally extin.
guished the fires. At half past nine o'clock
notwithstanding the utmost exertions to
prevent it, the fire gained rapidly, aud very
soon drove the cabin passengers on the deck.
AS the water and fire both gained SO fast,
the boats were got ready to save the passep.
gers.
There was heavy sea running and the
First boat that was lowered was stove. Six
other boats we're then launched successfully,
and all OF them filled with passengers. About
twelve o'clock the brig Minnie Shlfiler saw
our signals OF distress and bore down to US.
At seven Z. N. commenced the task OF
embsrk,Dg the passengers on board the brig,
that vessel having attached q hawser to the
vessel.
At this time the starboard side Of the
steamer was very hot. BY half past niue
L. M., oil the passengers were placed safely
on board Of the brig.
The mails OF the Coppaught were al saved.
The Connaught was valued at El20000
hand is fully insured iu + gland.
The Connaught had $4,000 sterling iu
gold Government money! taken aboard al
st. Johns. IT was lost with the steamer.
Three hundred of the passengers bave been
forwarded via Fall River for New York -
The remainder have been taken care of by
their friends.
The brig Minnie Schsffer arrived at one
o'clock. She is about 800 tons bur,hen, and
the standing room on her was completely
covered by the rescued passengers Of the
Connaught.
There was no chance OF remaining but q
short time on board, the FIRE making such
progress. The flames we're momentarily
expected TO burst out and sweet the decks,
the fregsngs having given up all hopes of
e1tlngushing them, but continuing to apply
| wet blankets, etc. 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 deplorabe situation,
and showing every sign Of anxiety for US I;
but We began to think it would be impossible
to stow ull our numbers on board she looked
so small. We have since ascertained that
she was only 90 tons burthen. Capt. Lctch
made all haste to get US into the boats, which
was extremely difficult, being lowered one by
oDe with ropes.
Capt. Leitch stood by all the time, com.
menclng with the women and children, but
with oil the eXer,ons that could be IN ade,
when the sun went down only about 200 had
been got on board the brig. Capt. Wilson,
Of the brig, said, This s q horrible affair, to
see the sun going down and SO many people
yet on beard the wreck settling down and
burning up. will do oil in my power to
save them" Several OF the boats crews on
reaching the brig refused to return, when
Captain Wilson said, IL will go almost
alongside, aud 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 conf
deuce; and by great exertions, all were got
on board the brig by II o'clock, Z. n.