The Portland daily press., 1878-01-16

On Thursday last hulk, formerly schooner
rugged, of about 40 tons measurement, was
picked up in North River, opposite pier A,
New York, by the wrecking company. From
her appearance it was supposed that she was
scuttled for the sake of recovering the insur-
ance. The vessel was undoubtedly the e. 81.
Pray, which left Boston for a Southern port
about the middle of December last. When
found she had six auger holes in her bottom,
and her masts were cut away about two feet
above her decks. Everything movable, even
to the galley stove, had been taken from her,
and every mark that could identify her had
been carefully effaced. She was of about 40
tons burden, perfectly sound, and had been
lately repaired under the stern and in the cabin.
She has about fifteen tons of gas lime, much
used by Eastern farmers as fertilizer. and APP
parently shipped as ballast. There are many
potatoes scattered about the schooner, and in
her cabin are the business cards of several Bos-
ton firms In several places on the outside OF
her cabin is written in pencil, 'Jan. g." In the
mud on the cabin floor was q water-soak-
ed bit of white paper, which, when washed and
dried, was found to be note of instructions,
that read as follows:
Schooner E. II. Pray.
Please haul in the same berth where you dis
charged before at brakes wharf. will be down
Monday morning and tell you what to do with them.
G. f. SMITH.
brakes wharf is In Boston, near the New
York and New England depot, and at this
wharf she unloaded cargo of brick drought
from Dover, N. H. in the early part of De-
cember, by order of s. Hobbs & Co., 80 State
s. n Cco;tl ;ao IL, A oa~d
addressed to Capt. Melville j. Clarke was also
found on the wreck About half mile up the
beach, in the dock at Twelfth street, was found
the lower masts of the e. Fl. Pray, which had
drifted ashore. They are without sails, spsrs or
rigging. On the foot of one of these masts are
several names written with pencil. The only
ones legible are 81. Henderson" and 'Melvina
Clark, Bangor, Me- Among those who visit
ed the schooner Monday was man who felt
sure he had seen her loaded with potatoesly lying
off Washington Market since Christmas. The
hull as it now lies is not worth more than $500.
| 1t is thought that river thieves may have MUIR
| dered the captain and crew and then despoiled
l the vessel. Counsel for the Atlantic Insurance
| Co. called at the police headquarters to make
inquiries respecting the mysterious condition of
| the hulk. He had discovered that the hulk
| was formerly a 40-ton schooner, }. FL. Perry.
| Not long ago Der cargo of 400 barrels Of Nova
Scotia herrings, among other things, was in
sured In the Atlantic Company. The captain
was the owner of the vessel, and he with one
other man composed the crew. The vessel was
not insured. About four days ago she was at
| pier 81 North River; had since touched at Jer.
| sey city, whence it was supposed she had sail
| ed for her destination. HeInow feared that the
captain and the man with him had been muir.
dered and the cargo disposed of, and the vessel
| scuttled to cover up the murder. The police
| are trying to unravel the mystery,
A despatch dated New York yesterday, says
additional facts are furnished by William Chal
mers, merchant, who states he chartered hel
from Capt. Melvin j. Clark to load for Balti
more, Dec. Goth, and the vessel was to sail las
Friday for Baltimore.
The cargo of the schooner was as follows:-2
cases caster oil, fishing tackle valued at $4,000
3S barrels and 20 half barrels of pickles,
pounds of varnsh, 100 boxes of capers, 40 case
of axle grease, 400 pounds of fish, 8 casks
| wine vinegar, and six tons of powder.
1t is understood the captain had considerable
| sum of money on board. No tidings OF tn
| captain or crew have been received, and Their
are suspicious of foul play. None of the abovt
cargo was found in the hull of the wreck. Capt
CLARK was of Pembroke in this state.