New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-09
WASHINGTON.
IL WRECK OF THE sARANAC.

THE WRECK OF THE SARANAC.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPT. QUEEN-THE SHIP
CAUGHT IN wHIRLPOOL-THE MES BIV0UAo
IN A RAIN-GENERoUs AID EXTENDED BY THs
BRITISH Maya COURT OF INQUIRY ASKED By
CAPT. QUEEN
WASHINGTON, July S.-The official report OK
the wreck OF the United states steamer saranac has been
received from Capt W. W. Queen. He reports that tho
wreck was caused June IS while passing through scy-
Narrows. by the ship being caught in whirlpool
caused by strong counter currents Refusing to obey her
helm the ship carried bodily on sunken rock, which
she struck with gr force the port side about abreast
OF tho foremost the ship and starting tho
decks forward. The ship, hanging on fhc rock FOR
moment, rapidly head to current and then slipping
Off Immediately headed for the shore Of Vaneouvers
Island the nearest land About the time her head struck
the shore her fires were extnguished Both bow an
chors let and hawser made fast from the bow
to large shore. The boats were now lowered.
and saved such provisions and effects could be got
of The vessel sunk at 1916 a M an honr and half
after striking going down foremost In so or 60
fathoms OF water. The steam launch noated
from the cradles, and was saved. Capt. queen
Immediately dispatched the first cutter to Victoria to
seek assistance and telegraph to the Department and
Rear Admiral Rodgers.
A camp was extemporized for the men out Of sails,
brushwood, &e., which, though afordng only partial
shelter useful in keeping of the almost continuous
rain The proyisonsis boxes OF bread aud boxes OF
canned beefwcrc placed in charge OF the Paymascrto
out.
On the morning Of the 22d IT. NJ g. Myrmdon Com
mandcr the Hon. Richard Hare, r. NJ to the relief
OF the wrecked crew. closely followed by the Hudson Bay
Company's steamer Otter, which had been chartered at
Victoria by Lient Commander ianders who returned IN
her. The MyTnidon anchored in the cove, and Com
mander Hare shore and rendered every assist
ance in his power, stating shat he was provided Mi,ns
fair supply Of PROVISIONS blankets and bedding
for the purpose The mail steamer California from sks
came into the bay soon after, and also offered
N
men started for Victoria the Myrmidon aud otter
In the Straits OF Georgia they met Her Britannia
Majesy's steamship Repmse, bearing the flag OF Rear
Admiral Cochrane, Commander-inCief IN the racine,
which was on the way TO our assistance, the Admiral
being on board in person Thinking lie might be able Ia
raise the saranac, or at least some or her guns anu
other articles he had brought several divers and large
lighter furnished with a steam ircenglne and hose
After communicating with the ADMIRAL and informing
him OF the mposslhlity OF wrecking th. nariae, '.s
MyImdon proceeded TO Victoria, and the kepulse TO
Buzzards Inlet Upon arriving at Victoria, 'apt Yn.en,
in company with the Consul called upon HIS Excelcny
Jas. W. Trutch, Lieutenant Governor OF the PROVINCE
ance which had been rendered The recommendations OK
the dockyari at Esquinalt were rendered by KearAd-
miral Cochrane for quarerns the men Of the sarahac
cannot speak too highly" says Capt Queen " Of the
afoing Ms relief His first intmation Of the disaster
was received about the 2lst inst. through tho
ne%npc' To- an" sevpoir Narrows under press
OF steam. where She arrived the following morning AZ
tora az o. m on the 2ls The Admiral followed In s
nagsip having taken on board the apphae's FOR ras
Dist The warmcst thanks myself, officers and men
are due Commander Hare and the officers ana crew al
the Myrmidon their courtesy, hospitality, ana ulf
wearicd cxcrti0ns in behalf Our Consul Mr. Eek
stein, great praise for the energy and aDly
shown in rendering assistance, ana has my nearly
thanks Both officers and men bebayedwith the greacst
GOODNESS and efficiency at the time Of the wreck, ana
cannot speak highly Of their conduct throughout
respectfully request court Of inquiry Oh my arrival as
San Francisco" -,
In accordance with the request of Capt queen, inc
Secretary the Navy has appointed court 10 consist OF
Rear-A dmiral John Rodgers Commodore D. H. spOtis,
and Capt Paul shirley, TO inquire INTO the loss ot us
Salanac The will meet at the Mare Island Navy
Yard, but the time OF meeting has not yet been liked