The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-09
rHE LOsS on THE SARANAC.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN QUEEN-DErAIIS
OF THE wREcK-THE COURTEOUS ACTION CT
THE BRITISH CIVIL AND NAVAL AUTHORITIES
RECOGNIZED
wAsHINGToS, July 8, 1875.
The onlclal report OF the wreck OF the United
States steamer Saranac, In Seymour Narrows, on
the 18th OF dne, has been received rom CAPTAIN
W. ". queen, who commanded that vessel. 1t is
dated at Victoria, Yancouyer's Island, June "a
Ne says:-
At twenty minutes past seven A. NJ. OF the 18th
the snip entered Discovery passage and, as the
tide was favorable, proceeued on her way. AT
twenty mlnutes 10 nine, whie passing through
seymour Narrows, she was caugnt IN whirlpool,
caused by strong cOunt,r currents. aud, DccOm-
lug unm agcaO,e-refusing TO OBEY her helm
was carried bodily on sunKen rock. when she
struck with great force on the port size ABOUT
abreast OF the loremast careening the shio ana
starting the decks forward. me ship, hanging
Oh TO the rock for moment, swung rapidly
head to the current, then, slpplng or was I'M
medtately neaoed for the snore OF Nancouver's
Island, the nearest land. by TINS time the ship
was rapidly filing with wafer, ana about The time
her mead struck the shore her fires were eXin-
gulshed. BOth DOW anchors were let 90, ana q
hawser made fast from the bow To u lar ge tree on
shore. The boats, having been cleared away, were
now lowered, with the exception OF the steam
launcn, when there was no tine TO hoist from lts
cradles, and were USED IN saving such provisions
and effects cOulu be got on, All hancs were
busIly engaged at this work until the wafer was
above the Dertn deck and II became DANGER
TO remain longer on board when | gave
the order Tor every body TO leave the snip. At
minutes 10 ten all reached tue shore IN safety.
he vessel now sunk steadily, and at sixteen
minutes past ten went GOWN stern foremost IN
fifty or SIXTY fathoms OF water, carrying every
tning on board itn her except the steam launch
which 1oated from the cradl s. ana lew loose
articles from the spar deck. 1 immediately
despatched my executive officer, Lieutenant
Commander N. W. sanders, the pilot and q BOATS
crew In the first cutter 10 Nanaimo or Victoria,
with verbal Instructions TO seek assistance and
30 telegraph to The department and Rear Admiral
Rodgers The loss OF The ship AS the point at
which we landed was Il rocky blum, at a distance
from resn water and unsuitable Tor a camp,
transferred the men ana every thing saved rom
the wreck to ValtGes Island on the opposite side
or the strait, wnere there was small cove ana
fresh water such shelter as boat sails, ham
mocks anu Drushwoo0 could afford was erected,
but gave only little protection rom almost con-
tlnuuus ram. Ali provisions saved uorty-eignt
bags OF bread and eight boxes OF canned bcelj
were collected ard placed IN charge OF the pay
MASTER, 10 be served out regularly. The accounts
and money were saved, together with the shlp's
chronometer MY pilot was Captain William Il.
George, whose employment was authorized by
Rear Admiral Almy.
THE RESCUE.
On the morning OF the 22d at haf-past i've
Her Majestys steamer MyrmIdon, Commander
Hon. Richard Hare, r. NJ, came our relief,
closely followed by the Hudson Bay Company's
steamer outer, which had been chartered at VIC
tora by Lieutenant Commander sanders. who re-
turned In her. inc Myrmldon anchored In the
cove, and COMMANDER Hare came on shore anu
rendered me every assistance IN MS power. stat
ing bnat he provided with a luli supply of
extra PROVISIONS. blankets and bedding Tor the
purpose. The cove Del0g small ami an unsafe
anchorage, | directed the outer 10 proceed
through the Sey mUur Mario $40 Plumper Lay, ana
transferred TO that point as soon as possible, by
means OF the myrmidon ana my boats, officers
and men and. all tnat mad been saved
from the wreck. AT this time the mail
steamer California. from SiKa, came in sight, ana
anchored in the DAY and offered to assist us, but
as there was already sufficient accommodations
Tor all, thought proper to decline the o1er with
thanks. At ten a. NJ. the Myrmldon got under way,
having on board thirty officers and men, Including
myself. and three OF our boats. and was followed
soon after by the otter, with the remainder.
About three r. NJ, IN tue straits OF Georgia, we
met Her Britannia MaJesty's steamer Repulse,
bearing the nag ol Rear Admiral Cochrane, Com
mander IN Cdief IN the Pacitlc, winch was ON the
way TO our assist auce The Admiral being on board
in person. Thinking he mlghl be able 10 RAISE the
Saranac, or, at least some OF her guns and other
articles, he nad Drought seVera ulvers ana large
lighter, furnished win sCeam ire engine and
hose After communicating with tue Admiral and
informing him OF the mpossIbnity u wrecElng the
Saranac the Myrmldon proceeded 10 Esquimalt ana
the ltepuse 10 Bazzard's lniet. About seven r.
NJ. on the 23d lust the Myrmldon ancaored In Es-
qumalt narbor, aud two hours later the otter ar
rived at Victoria. Upon my arrival OF Esqulmalt
/ was met by the United states consul, Mr.. ID.
EcksteIn VINO gave me a copy OF the depart-
ments telegram OF tne 2lsb inst, stating That the
Unitcd STATES steamer Benecla had been ordered
10y telegraph to the rehe OF the Saranac's crew.
| then proceeded 10 Victoria. and. In company
with the Consul called upon HIS EXcellency james
W. Trutch, Lieutenant Governor OF he Province,
TO pay my respects and 10 express my thanks Tor
the assistance winch had been rendered
us. The accommodations OF the docKyard at
ksquimat having been rendered me by Rear Admi-
raj Cochrane, proposed quarerlng my men there
until the arrival OF the beneca, and TO make such
arrangements as were available for supplying them
with provisions. Tne otter went 10 Esqulmait
TINS morning 10 transfer the remainder OF the
crew 70 the dockyard. cannot speak too highly
OF
THE GENEROUS PRoMPTNESS
shown by Admiral Cocnrane IN a1ordiug US re-
ler. His FIRST intlmalion OF the disaster was re-
ceived about nine A. M. on he 2lst INST, through
tine newspapers ana by one i. NJ. the Myrmluon
was proceeding to seymour NarroWs, under
press OF steam, where she arrived the following
morning at haf past hve short time anead
OF the otter, which had left victoria
at seven A. NJ. on the 2lst. he Admiral
followed in his flagship, having taken on board
the appliances Tor raising the wreck, leaving
Esqulmat about six r. NJ. Oh tae 2lst ne warm
est thanks OF myself officers ana men are que TO
Commander Hare and the officers ana crew OF the
Myrmldon. !or their courtesy, hospitality ana I'M
wearied exertions In our behalf. Our Consul Mr..
Ecksteln deserves great praise Tor the energy
and AGILITY shown In rendering ASSISTANCE, and
has my nearly thanks.
Both officers and men behaved with the greatest
GOODNESS and efficiency at the time OF the wreck
ana | cannot speak too nignly OF their conduct
throughout. | respectfully request a court OF In
quiry on my arrival at san francsco.
In accordance with tie request OF Captain
queen the Secretary OF the Navy mas appointed
court, to consist OF Rear Admiral John Rodgers,
Commodore J. H. SPOTS and captain raul Shirley,
to inquire into the loss OF the Saranac. The Court
Will meet at the Mare Island Navy Yard but the
time Of meet tang has not vet been fixed.