The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-07-26
steamer New England.

Steamer New YORK arrived yesterday morn
ing from Eastport, bringing all the passengers
of the New England who did not take the cars
west at st. Andrews, and also all the furniture,
bedding, Sc, from the wreck. Nothing was
lost but small part of the freight. The
officers report that the position of the New
England has been incorrectly stated. She lies
on the rocks on her side-one third of her
length unprecedented towards the land,
with hole in her bottom. All who are capa-
BILE OF giving an opinion agree that the machin-
cry can be saved, but in regard to the hull au-
thorities differ Mr.. Dyer, the inspector, is of
the opinion that she cannot be recovered, while
Mr.. Taylor, an experienced engiHeer, says that
the hull can be saved if good weather continues.
He is We'll acquainted with her construction,
and saws her frame is of unusual strength and
soldity, and the timbers are thoroughly
strapped and braced. Capt Coyle left for st.
John to procure apparatus for the work.
A lady passenger wrote to friend graphic
account of the disaster and some of the subse-
quent incidents We find her narrative in the
st. John Telegraph:
OFF WOLF ISLAND, July %
My Dear -:- When l left you had only
d
changed. Instead of a comfortable night
passed between clean sheets, shall be very
glad of even a single blanket, without pillow
mattress. At lib A. M, enveloped in thick
fog we struck upon rock just off VOLTS Is
land and in five minutes after the order was
given to man the boats and take off the ladies
first. l was fortunate enough to be put in the
second boat, and we were rOwed to an island
distant about quarter of mile. Here boat
after boat load was deposited, until not only all
the passengers but the baggage was landed.
Then commenced the clearing out of the steam
er until the rocks were covered with the debris.
No accidents occurred-not even bag or UNI
brella having fallen in the water We were all
jolly as shipwrecked mariners could be, and
ravenously hungry. The dinner was all cook
ing ON board when the accident took place, and
as soon as we were settled comfortably on shore
we were served with turkey salmon, chickens,
tongue and crackers and hot tea to an unlimited
extent Boats were despatched to Eastport,
distant about fifteen miles; but as they had to
row up against the tide ives could hope for no
very early sleep. Blankets and mattresses were
given us in abundance, and we prepared to
make ourselves comfortable for the night. just
at o'clock a cry was raised that a boat was in
sight, and now-at S-many of the passengers
have been retransported to the Belle Brown,
and in a few hours we shall have all the many
things ON board which were strewn about the
rocks.
The report is that we are to spend the night
upon the steamer and without state rooms or
berths there will be sOmesdiscOmfOrt. We have
reason to be thankful that our lives were spar
ed and that in our transit from sinking ship to
the shore, and back from shore to steamer no
accident befel any one, that there seems moth
ing to complain of. All the passengers behaved
with the greatest courage and self possession,
so little selfshness was manifested, so many
noble traits were shown, that shall ever have
a better opinion of humanity. Chief Justice
Richie was quite prominent in his anxiety to
have the ladies saved first, and only one man
was found who persisted in crowding himself
into the first boatful of ladies. The officers
have been Jealous in their attention to the pas
sengers-everythng has been done for their
comfort that could be done, and the captain
was the last one to leave his post.
Capt. Field has in every way cndeavored to
tighten our misfortunes, and we all feel greet
sympathy for him. His discipline has been
perfect, and even the thick fog in which we
have been enveloped during the whole day has
not served to dampen his spirits. Mr.. James
Mcfarland branch pilot of st. John, was sec
ond to none in his earnest endeavors to secure
comfort to the passengers and has earned the
most grateful thanks of every one who came
within the circle of his attentive ministrations.
1t is said that he saw the rock several minutes
before We struck, and gave warning, but too
late.
We are now well settled on board, and they
have just commenced to spread beds on the
floor, preparatory to sleeping. Our gallant
steamer looms up IN the log, qulte upon her
beam ends with hole of large size just under
the pilot house. 1t makes one feel melancholy
to see so fine a craft 50 completely disabled.
We reached EastpOrt this morning and were
forwarded to ST. Andrews by the courtesy of
Capt Prince of the Belle Brown. He and his
gentlemanly clerk, j. L. Thompson seemed to
vie with the officers of the New England in
paying us every attention. A series of resolu-
tons were adopted by the passengers expressive
of their thanks to those to whom they were in
debted for so much kindness.
There was real danger and we have reason tc
be thankful. We have had some funny incl
dents. There was on board a runaway couple
going to Eastport to be married; the lady refus-
ed to leave the steamer unless her lover could
accompany her and she was therefore left until
one of the later trips when his turn came. Tell
Mrs. - it was jolly. / had silk dress in
my pannier and my movements to-day would
have been lighter and more graceful had it
been in Boston. L have yet to run the gaunt-
let at Vanceboro and 1 dread it, but l will be
prepared to meet my fate like man and pre-
sent bold back to the officials.