Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-19
Sinking Of the Steamer Star of the. East.
FULL PARTICULARS.

Early on Saturday morning last, while
the Steamer Star of the East was making her
return trip from Boston, while passing Ma
humkeag Island, near the lower end, struck
on sunken rock and sprung leak. The
water in the river, and especially at this point,
was very low. The pilot of the Star says
she would not mind her helm, but struck the
rock on the port side, and the whole side of
the steamer passed over the rock damaging
the planking, but how much it is impossible
er felt the shock but did not apprehend any
thing serious till a short time afterwards. She
continued on her way to Gardner where she
arrived about A. NJ. Her passengers and
freight were discharged without delay and
without loss of life or freight. An alarm was
given about 7.40 A. M. and the fire depart
ment was called out and rendered all the as
sstance in their power, but they could not
gain on the leak and she finally settled to the
bottom, the water at 8 o'clock being about
foot and half deep in the lower cabin on the
port side. About i O'Clock she righted, and
as the tide commenced to flow filled moder-
ately till the waters covered everything even
with the floor of the first cabin. Assistance
was nsent for to Augusta when the steam
fire engine Cushnoc arrived on the 9. so train,
but owing to want of suction hose, could not
work more suction hose was sent for from
Augusta but in short time the Star changed
her position and leaned toward the starboard
side, and it became apparent that all efforts to
pump out the steamer would be useless. She
w a
the deck.
The following special was received from
our Gardiner correspondent last evening
The Star now lies in the same position as
Saturday, on the bottom, with four feet of
water on the starboard deck. The tide GIBBS
and flows into her. The steamer Chas. Pearson
is at Bath on her way from Boston to pump
the steamer out, and get her on dry dock.
From reports on the street the case of the
sinking of the Star is attributed to her shear
ing badly while passing the rocks near the
Island, and going contrary to her helm. and
not to any oversight or want of care on the
part of the officers. 1t seems the water near
the lower end of the Island is very low, and
the rock on which she struck is said to have
three iron bolts set in it by parties who had
the job of clearing out the channel some time
since. These bolts probably penetrated the
planking, but the result of the injury cannot
be ascertained till she goes on the Marine
railway. 1t is said to be the same rock that
sunk the New England some thirty years
ago, and it is hoped those having in charge
the interests of the shipping on the kennebec,
will take action towards having this obstruc
ton to navigation removed at once. Captain
Collins and his officers managed the discharg-
ing of the passengers, freight, and movable
furniture with GOODNESS and discretion, with
no loss OF property or life. The Star is 1913
tons, built in New York in 1866, cost about
$780, 900, and is the largest and best boat
ever on the kennebec line. Every etfort.will
he made to repair the damages, and retit the
Star at once. In the meantime another boat
will probably be chartered to.do the business.