Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-17
STEAMSHIP EUROPA.

The New York papers contain particulars
of the late voyage of the steamship Europa,
from Glasgow to that port during which the
captain, first and third mates were lost over
board, and of which brief mention has been
made by telegraph. 1t appears that the Eu-
ropa sailed from Glasgow on the 25th of Feb
ruary with 1876 Storage and 10 cabin passen-
gers. She experienced squally weather dur
ing the first few days, which increased to
strong gale from the west, with sleet and
heavy cross sea. On the morning of March
Sd another fresh galesprang up from the west,
which necessitated the double reefing of all
the sails. Towards evening the gale increased
in fury, and the vessel was put under very
slow steam.
The scene at eight o'clock was awful. The
vessel had reached latitude $3.50 north and
longitude $3.50 west. 1t was dark as pitch,
the horizon being overcast, and the air was
chilly with the driving sleet and the dashing
spray. The wind whistled through the rigg-
| ing, and rushed against the side of the ship,
which groaned and shivered at every blow.
In all directions. foam-crested waves from
seventy to eighty feet high ran roaring upon
the gallant vessel, threatening to crush her,
but she rode like duck
Men waited and listened with blanched
faces; women sobbed and prayed, and little
children huddled closer to their parents in
terror. Capt. Macdonald, whenever he
could snatch a moment from his duties on
deck, strobe about below with smile on his
face, laughing and joking away everybody's
fears, and endeavoring to allay apprehension
AT about half-past o'clock the steerage
no int or L..
partially quieted, and the captain sat down in
the midst of the cabin passengers, nearly all
OF whom had known him and sailed with him
before, and began a conversation about old
times; every one became interested, and in
joking and even laughter they forgot the peril
of the hour. At about twenty-five minutes
past o'clock Capt Macdonald drew out his
watch and excused himself, saying that it was
time for him to go on deck to give his final in
structions for the night to his mates, as was
his custom before going to bed.
Accompanied by Mr.. Corson, a passenger.
he went on deck. The storm was at its great
est fury. The first and third mates were
standing together on the bridge, under a
canvass awning which had been erected espe-
cially to protect them from the weather The
bridge was very stout, and was braced with
strong iron stanchions and rails. The captain
laughingly dared Mr.. Corson to go with him
upon the bridge. Mr.. Corson accepted the
challenge, and the two started forward. They
had barely reached the end of the deck house,
when the ship gave sudden lurch to star
board, and Mr.. Corson's courage cooled. He
said, Captain, | guess I'll go back, as I've
only my slippers on" The captain laughed
and said, 'All right; go back, then" Mr.
Corson shouted, Captain, take care of
yourself!' and re-entered the cabin.
He had hardly seated himself when he was
startled by a tremendous crash, quickly fol-
lowed by the hoarse yells of the seamen,
''Help! The captains overheard"
Mr. Corson sprang up the steps, and saw at
a glance the full extent of the disaster A ire
mendous sea had struck the bridge beneath
the starboard side, twisting the horizontal iron
railing into a perpendicular position and tear
ing the panking up like paper. This broke
the wave, and its crest fell with crash upon
the leeward side of the bridge, swapping the
stanchions and grinding that part of the floor
ing into kindling wood. The almost solid
mountain of water then bounded off into the
sea again, staving in two boats and breaking
the main boom, having evidently turned
somersault in its passage. 1t whelmed the
captain and mates, sweeping them far off into
the deep.
The second mate, upon whom the command
of the ship devolved, stopped her at once,
ana ordered lie D4Oys TO be thrown over
board, but it was without avail. Soon the
safety of the steamer necesstated the putting
on of steam and all night she labored through
the giant waves.
The news of the disaster was carefully kept
secret from all but the cabin passengers
The remainder of the night was spent in
prayers and tears. Even the bravest refused
TO occupy their staterooms, and lie down in
their clothing in the saloon.
The hurricane continued through the night
and all day on Sunday, Sunday night and
Monday, the vessel from necessity going I'M
der q very slow head of steam all the time
To add to the horror on the night of the dis
aster, one of the intermediate passengers
heard of the captains death and spread the
story among his fellows. Next morning it
was told to the steerage passengers, filing
them with CONSERVATION. A kind Of mutiny
ensued, a mass Indignation meeting vas held,
and committee OF twO-one member select
ed from the intermediate and one from the
storage passengers-was sent to Mr.. Finley
to demand that he should put into the nearest
port. But the cool-headed, skillful officer
quoted them after while, and the remain
der of the voyage was prosecuted without
! further trouble.