The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-03-15

Loss OF THE SHIP GREAT REPUBLIC The
Great Republic left Rio Janeiro for st. John
N. B., on the 18th of January, in ballast under
Captain Ingraham, the former captain, Pope,
having died at Rio Janeiro The early part of
the voyage was pleasant and prosperous, but
on the I'd of March fierce gale from the north
east arose, rapidly veering to the northwest and
increasing hourly in fury. The ships head was
turned to the southwark, and the officers at
first thought that she would successfully ride
out the storm, but her great length told against
her, and she began to labor fearfully. All the
next day the tempest ragged with unremitting
violence, and the ship began to leak in an
alarming manner. -Four dOuble-action steam
pumps were set at work, but the water contin-
ued to gain steadily, and the carpenter re-
ported eight feet of water in the hold Every
exertion was made to save the ship, but the
strain on the timbers was too great, and the
water began to force its way through opening
seams in a few hours The copper began to
yield, and large sheets were torn from the bot
tom and side, leaving apertures through which
the water poured in torrents, The deck soon
afterward opened in several places. The oak
UNI was forced from the seams and the water
drawn from the hold by the steam pumps
found its way back again almost as quickly as
pumped out. On the 4th the storm lulled, but
all hope of saving the ship was abandoned.-
The carpenter found twelve feet of water in the
hold and reported that the vessel was rapidly
settling by the head Under these circumstan-
ces the captain called the crew together and
briefly announced his determination to leave
the ship. Boats were provisioned and launch
ed as quickly as possible, the captain COM
manding the hfe-beat, which is 40 feet long,
built of iron, and provided with water
tight compartments Eighteen sailors en-
barked with the captain. The first mate, Smith,
took fifteen men in the launch, and the second
mate, Lock, seven men in the cutter The cap
tam gave orders to his officers to make for Ber-
nuoa nut the stiff breeze scattered the little
Meet Ihe second mate had hard time of it.
ne was driven from the path by wind and sea-
a p AZ ~ Q CLOCK atnght again sighted the Great
republic lying on her beam ends and evidently
SINKING fast. Soon afterward the darkness hid
her from sight. On Tuesday evening 5tb inst
the hrst mate was rescued by pilot who
brought him and his men safely into the mort of
Hamilton A few hours later the captain ar
rived at Building Bay, and in the evening the
second mate reached the royal navy ward in
safety. ~
The steamer San Francisco was ont in tho
hurricane which destroyed the GreatI Republic
and had a narrow escape The deck houses
were washed away, one of the paddle boxes
smashed and the saloon was completely filled
with broken glass and furniture The San
Francisco brought to New York Capt Ingraham
and Mr.. Smith. The former has telegraphed to
his employers the particulars of the loss of his
ship and intends to return to England by steam
er The Great Republic cost the present own
ers 100000 for repairs. The value of the ship
Is not at present to be ascertained, but she is
insured Tor large amount.