Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-10-10

the ship being almost on her side, in the trough
of the sea. BY this time fire had cut off all
communication with the saloons. The first
quarter boat lowered was struck by the coun
ter and lost which caused some hesitation
about launching the others, but the worst of |
our fears was that supposing the boats should /
ride the sea, which then showed signs of mod |
Grating, and that we could safely launch and |
Till them with passengers. there was no chance
of remaining but a short time on board, the
fire making such progress, and the flames were
momentarily expected to burst out and sweep
the decks, the fire gangs having given up all
hopes of eXtinguishing them, but continuing
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 deplOrabe situation,
and showing every sign of anxiety for us, but
| we began to think it would be impossible to
| stow all our numbers on board, she looked so
small. We have since ascertained that she
was only 1873 tons burthen. Capt. Leitch made
| all haste to get us into the boats, which was
extremely difficult, being lowered one by one
with ropes. Capt. L. stood by all the time,
commencing with the women and children but
with all the eXertons that could be made when
the sun went down only about two hundred
had been got on board the brig. Capt. Wilson,
! of the brig, said, This is horrible affair, to
see the sun going down, and so many people
vet on board the wreck settling down and
burning up; l will do all in my power to save
them" Several of the boats crews on reach
ing the brig, refused to return, when Capt
Wilson said, 81 will go alongside and take
hawser from on board, and then you will be
in little or no danger. | must get every one
from the wreck" He did So which had the
effect OF giving confidence, and by great exer-
ton all were got on board the brig by eleven
o'clock p. NJ Capt. Leitch and his first officer
remained on board until almost surrounded
with fire, 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 strong and melancholy
| light over the sea Capt. Leitch reached the
brig just at midnight Scarcely a piece of
| baggage was saved. The trunks of even
many of the cabin passengers being left below
during tile confusion and alarm which called
them on deck in the morning, after which all
communication was cut off by the water and
flames. Mr.. Whittell speaks in the highest
terms, as do all the passengers, of the energy
and kindness OF Capt. John Wilson Of the brig
Minnie Schetfer. He was from Malagar for
Boston, with a cargo of fruit.
! The cabin passengers per steamer Con
naught were, VIM. Henry and two daughters,
John Peray, JOS Schewton and lady, f. Bren-
nan, lady and son. Rev. 7, King, Rev n Gal.
lagher, Hugh Mckay, w. II. Butler H. A.
Huntington, Mrs. G, Hughes, Miss Blake, H.
Mills, j, McCaudish, Jas. Fanel, lady aud
daughter, Mrs. NJ. Johnston, A. L. Harding,
2. Mahon, Jno. Raymond, Jas, o. Neil, Rev
d. Kelley, Miss Rose Dolan, Mrs w. Ora
ham, IL. Whitwell, Miss r. Fane, Rev. j. |
Bradley, P. McGrath, r. Walsh, A. Devine
w. Byrne, P. Farrell, j. Farrell, S. A. Smith,
Rev Father Mitchell, Mary Murphy, Rev W.
Salter, j. c. Lewis, Elizabeth Lyons, Marga-
ret Kane, and 423 Storage passengers.
CABIN passengers from st. JOhns-Mrs. E.
j. Tobin and son, w. IL. Newman, VIM. Don.
ely, Mrs. Doneily, John Fox Capt Meagher,
Mr. Foster, M. 2. Dalton, Emerson and Martin.
The Cohnaught was new steamer, built
in England the last season, at a cost of
FL 100000, and was one of the finest steamers
atioat The fire is supposed to have originated
from the ignition OF the heavy wooden betting
with which the boilers were encased. Ten |
thousand pounds in silver, sent from the Bank |
of Newfoundland to their agent in Boston, was
a total loss. The passengers bore themselves |
with great GOODNESS, and the ladies passed
through the trying scenes with heroic courage
The brig Minnie Shiffler with the passengers
and crew Of the Inflated steamer, arrived at
India wharf at one o'clock, Tuesday. Some
OF the passengers were fortunate enough to
find friends awaiting them upon the shore
others, having lost their ALL were left in a
state little short of despair One robust
Catholic girl had nothing saved but her
prayer.book, which she had chung to during
the whoel catastrophe. No accident to life or
limb is known TO have occurred during these
exciting events. Three hundred of the pas.
sengeIs were forwarded by the Fall River
route to New York, and the remainder were
taken care of by their friends