The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-19
Marine Disaster.
Less OF the Steamship Cennaaght-S"fciy
OF the Passengers.

The steamship Connaught, q splendid vessel.
Of the English line between Galway and this
country, was destroyed by fire on Sun lay
morning OF last week, when lao miles outside
Of Boston light. Captain Robert Leitch, the
commander. makes the following statement OF
the disaster "The Connaught was on her way
from Galway to Bostsn, with 467 passengers on
board, OF whom about so were cabin passen.
gers and the rest Storage. Her ,reW numered
The steamer sprung leak about eight O'cl'k
on Saturday evening, and put all hands at
work keeping the water down. We succeeded
in keeping il below the fires so As not to stop the
engines. Ara. A. NJ, on Sunday, 1t had gain
ed rapidly.
Ats. A. NJ, water got into tho forward fur
naces, causing the fires to be extinguished. At
about O.36 O'Clock, discovered smoke issuing
from the after ct, ke-hole. Got . majority OF
hands at work, with all appliances that could
be of service In extinguishing the fire.
At about ten, found smoke issuing from The
cabin, and, driving all the passengers on deck,
had tho hose and other appliances taken into
the ladies cabin, and used every effort to keep
the fires from increasing. During this time the
water had increased 50 much below as to extin-
guish oil the fires and stop the engine,
We then ceased all efforts to keep the water
out Of the ship, and directed the efforts OF all
hands TO extinguishing the FIRE, and In prepar-
alton Of the boats.
The first boat that was lowered was stove. by
the heavy sea. Six others were got over sue
cessfully. About twelve O'Clock, Sunday noon,
barque and brignntine hove In sight. The
baraue continued on her course, apparently
without discovering the ship.
The brigantin', when nearly ahead OF ,he
steamer, bore down upon us, seeing our dis,
trcss signals. Before getting near US, We had
a number of passengers In the boats, ready to
60 on board Of her. We had much difficulty
on account Of the heavy sea. continued get
ting the passengers on board the boats from
the starboard quarter, and from the boats to
the brig rs fast as possible.
During this time the fire was constantly and
rapidly Increasing. There was an intense heat
inside, 80 that the iron work could not be touch
cd. :.
At7P. NJ. commenced to discharge passcn-
gers from the lee, or port quarter, the other be-
ing too much enyeloped in flames. At this
the brig got hawser from on board the steam
err, 10 keep her near. At go VIC got oil our
passengers in the boats, and with safety to the
brigantine.
The men that got into the boats, after search
ing all PARTS Of the ship possible, to see that
none should be left. The flames by this time
had burst forth, reaching the masthead, and
burning everything down. fihuihg VIC couu
no longer remain by the ship on account ofthe
smoke, We got oil the remaining hands. ten In
number, and left for the boat.
waited till all were Of, and then went over
the lee bow myself, and We then len for the
brigantine, winch proved to be the Minnie
Schiller, watched the steamer till two o'clock.
During oil that time she was one mass OF Nv;
ing flame. The last sccn OF her she was still
afoat." =,
The Connaught was splendid steamship OF
400 tons burden was built Of iron, and nm
ished in the first style Of workmanship Her
extreme length was 37S feet her breadth OF
beam was 10 feet, and her depth OF hold was
80 feet. She Was built in Ave water tight COM
psrtments. She Was launched ut Newcastle on
the Tyne, In April, 1860, and was justly 70,
garded by her owners as one OF the swiitest and
most substantial steam vessels afOat. She cost
ci2O, 900, and Is fully insured In England. She
Was on her second voyage Capt. Leitch work
ed unremittingly. showing the greatest cool.
ness and self command, from the time the dis
as,cr was known. He did not leave the steam
err until every other individual was safely on
board the brig.
The Minnie Schiller, with the passengers, ar
rived at Boston on Tuesday. -.