The Republican journal., 1869-09-16
DISASTER TO THE STEAMER CAMBRIDGE.

son, OF the Sanford line, was caught III the
gale of Wednesday night, and came near be-
ing total wreck. She left Rockland for
Boston at half past five O'Clock in the after
noon. Among her passengers, from Belfast,
were Henry l.. Lord and wife, A. X. Pierce,
Supt Of the Gas Works. Capt James burgess,
Mr.. Burkett, dry goods dealer, and others,
besides other ladies. From some OF them
/ we get the particulars. The sea was smooth
and the weather calm but toggy. Soon after
passing Monhcgan at quarter before 8, the
hurricane burst upon them. The boat behav-
ed well and was perfectly manageable until
her ruddcr became disabled. She was kept
under control by her engines until the main
steam pipe broke instantly disabling the en-
CINE. To add to the terrors of the occasion,
the steam escaped into the saloon and the gas
went out The steamer fell into the trough
of the tremendous sea- rolling teartully. the
waves striking her terrible blows under the
guards
The passengers, Of course greatly alarmed
at the noise of the steam and the pitching of
the boat rushed into the saloon where they
were tossed and rolled from side to side, it
being impossible to stand. The crashing and
breaking OF everything movable was heard
on every side. The marble top steam heater
in the saloon was wronchcd from its place and
broken to pieces. One lady was thrown
against the glass door of her state room
breaking it and cutting her fcariully. The
freight between decks sllrgcd from side TO side
Some of it got loose. broke through the gang
ways, and was lost.
Capt. johnson and his officers did all that
was possible fcr courage and skill to do to-
wards saving the boat and the lives Of the
passengers. The ruddcr was secured hv lash
ings, and sail got onthe boat, which however,
soon blew away. The crew acted badly and
it was only by driving them to their work that
the officers could keep them at their posts
Fortunately there were among the passengers
several ship masters, who rendered efficient
aid. The most demoralizcd set were the col
orcd walters, who were wild with terror.
They made raids on the statc-roomS for the
life prescrvcrs, and were seen tumbling about
the decks with three apiece around them.
One gentleman tells us that he was compelled
to make fight with one to save his life-pre-
server
Thc engineer of the boat, Mr.. Hathomc,
had a fall while examining the machinery
and dislocated his shoulder
In this condition the steamer was driven at
the mercy of the wind and waves all that fear
full night. Ii was 4 bitter reflection that her
consort the katadin, if She left Boston,
might be near, and yet pass without seeing
them. And this proved to be the case. The
lead was kept going during the night, and at
about 4 O'Clock in the morning they cot sound
ings in % lathoms of water The anchors
were Immediately let 90. II was a moment
Of terrible anxiety. They knew they were
near shore on 4 rocb-bound coast, and the
breakers must be close under the lee. If the
anchors should fail to hold or the cables part.
it would be the last Of this world for most of
them.
Fortunately the anchors held, the boat slow
ly swung head to the wind, and rode in safety
Day daWncd to show the breakers close I'M
der the stern, and in fact on all sides. The
DrlstoI, near Egg Rock, one Of the most
dangerous spots on the coast. Two boats
were sent off to the coast to telegraph for as
sistancc, one containing the Clerk, Mr.. Was
gait and the other Mr.. Rogers. the pilot
The latter rcjoined the steamer al Rockland,
being lowed in by fisherman
To n II o.)a,
from Portland for ST. John, sighted the Cam
bridge, came alongside and took her in tow
The City of Richmond, Capt. Dcnnison from
Portland Tor Bangor also ran down. hailed
and offered assistancc-hut ii was not needed
The New England with the Cambridge in
tow, reached Rockland at O'Clock in the
evening. The passengers were offered the
option of having their money refunded, of be
ing forwarded by the Richmond and the rail
road, on Of going on the katahdin next day
The passengers speak with admiration of the
conduct of the officers. Captain johnson,
the Pilots Stanley and Rogers, Mr.. IIathornc
and assistants the steward Mr. Rvcr, and
Mr.. mgraham. the mate, did all that men
could do to save the boat and the passengers.
1t was by their skill and fidelity that il was
effected, in the worst gale that ever visited
this coast.
The Cambridge though strained and dam
aged somewhat in her upper works, is not in
iured in her hull, and did not leak.
Since the above was in type, the Cambridge
has been lowed to Bangor, where repairs will
be made. The Wing says that her injuries
are surprisingly small, and that she will be
repaired in season to commence her trips on
Monday the 10Th. Captain johnson makes
the following statement of the accident
| CAPTAIN JoHNsON's STATEMENT.
The steamer cambridge" left Rockland with
about 300 passengers and light freight at o'clock
p. NJ, Wednesday, Sept Sth, wind south, light
breeze with thick fog. Passed White Head about
6 O'Clock, weather about the same though not quite
so thick, and | thought should have the wind
to westward, judging by barometer, which had
fallen to ''chdnge, as it always does previous to
westerly breeze; and it had been southerv and
foggy for three days. and let her keep till after
O'Clock, and Captain Stanley, the pilot. judged her
to have passed beyond 'Monhegan' and ''turned
in"