Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-05

fcarfully. It was soon found that she had sprung
aesk somewhere in the region of the stern-post
For time the water was kept down by the steam
pumps, but towards midnight of "Wednesday the
engineer reported to Captain Aukers that the wa
ter gaining in the mold, and the latter at once
determined to bear up and run for Hampton Roads.
The weather, however, grew thicker and worse,
and the vessel ran past Cape Henry lght without
seeing il. The sea continued TO Increase, and at
times swept completely over the steamer, which
was now rapidly becoming water-logged AT 3
o'clock tremendous sea broke over her, making
a complete wreck. The smOke-siack was carried
away ard nearly every boat was washed from the
davits With the immense weight of the water. All
the tide of the house crushed in and the en-
gineroom was half filled with water, which now
poured into the hold in torrents. The circulating
pump had given out hours before and the other
pumps were well-nigh useless. The water rose to
the furnace fires and put them out, and all hope
of saving the ship was at once abandoned. All
that could be done was done; the hea sails were
set aud her bead was kept of from the beach AS
the only means left of preventing her from sink
ing with all Sanos to the bottom. There was risk
among the breakers, but there was also some small
chance Of safety, while If she sank there was no
hope Of preserving single life.
At 1 O'Clock the word was passed for all hands
10 provide themselves with lite-preservcrs. At
g 80 \. NJ. man on ho setback made ms apqear-
auce on shore. waving his hat and promising as
.i,tance. At 70 80 p. NJ. the Lies Saving Service
hitu HIhut tutl .hiitdhA'i Aioi 'N 1'oA''h 7'ihN
miles away, hut came poorly provided to save life.
All the assistance they could render to the pas
seugefs wa to get them out of the surf as they
came ashore. Captain Ankers says that had the
Lite Saving men come to the scene of the wreck
duiug the forenoon neatly every on board
could have been saved. Al o'clock p. NJ tue
ship broke up completely, throwing into the sea all
who were then left on board.
Ii does not appear that any of those on board
jumped oven board. They were washed OFF by the
dozen at every sea. Some reached the shore and
many were drowned The ouly help from those
on shore was in pulling the hai-dIowned men from
the surf when near the beach Some were swept
ovei board by the great sea that wrecked the ves-
sci and many more before daylight came. The
night was not very cold but the storm was piiless
and those on board were so exhausted before at
temrting to make the shore that they III pre-
pared for he terrible fight with the sea. There
was no chance Of saving the two women board
and both of their husbands are among the lost.
Ii seems indeed ce tain thai the great loss of life
that occurred is due entirely to the ineffciency
of this >eIvice Had an efficient crew been upon
the spot within a reasonable time after the ship
fir.t struck neaily, If not all on board might have
been saved, But, said, it six hours before
any help came from this quarter, and then it was
entirely too late TO be of the slightest service.
The vessel was not far from the shoIe-much near
er than was the Huron when she Strickland to
this j. due the preservation Of as many lives as
have been reported saved. The lit foots up
to over one hundred and fifty. all of them getting
ashore by their own eXcrtions, and far
be learned, without the least assistance from the
shore. A good life-hoat and pratical crew would
probably have taken every soul from the wreck.
it was simply case of an old vessel overloaded
with heavy cargo and not able To withstand the
butfetng Of a storm Of more than ordinary vio-
lence.