The Portland daily press., 1879-07-21
THE WRECKED STEAMSHIP.
The Story Of the Loss OF the State of
Virginia.

The Story Of the Loss OF the State of
Virginia.
HALIFAX, July 19.-Government steamer
Glendon has arrived from Sable Island with
70 passengers from the wrecked steamer State
of Virginia, being all the passengers on board,
and the firemen. The Glendon reached the
Island at o'clock p. m. yesterday, and in five
hours had all on board and started for Halifax.
The vessel was much crowded but the passen-
gers took it good naturally and were glad to
reach the mainland tonight. The wreck had
not gone to pieces when the Glendon left.
Capt. Moody and crew remained on the island
to endeavor to save property. The vessel is
filled with water but if fine weather continues
some of the cargo may be saved in a damaged
condition. The following is the substance of
the statements of passengers and crew: Left
New York on the 10th at ~ a. m. All went
we'll until 7.50 p. m. on Saturday when the
ship was felt to strike something The engines
were at once stopped and reversed at full
speed and leads were dropped over the side to
find the depth of water. A boat was lowered
and soundings made all around the ship, a
kedge was run out astern to the engines, but 1t
was of no use. The passengers renamed
quiet but refused to go below. There was no
hurry or confusion of any kind. The crew
began to get the boats out and anchors ready.
We ran out the steam anchor and starboard
bow and then got the lower anchor and about
% fathoms of chain. Throwing the cargo
about high water when we endeavored to
heave the vessel off, but it was of no use. We
got boats ready to land the passengers. A
surf boat from the shore having already
landed one boat load it returned for another
and again started off two more boats following,
the intention being to allow the surf boat to
land all. the ships boats being unsuitable for
such a shore. Proceeding in toward the shore
the men appeared to hang back considerably
before entering the surf waiting for Smooth
when thew nOnl1 bn from, tho Shin'c hoe
following to give way on their oars to land.
They no sooner began to pull than larger
roller rose just behind them and all that could
be seen from the other boat was an oar nearly
on end in the water. The boat had tnrned
over. In the space of few seconds people
were seen struggling in the water, and one or
two made an attempt to get on top Of the boat
which was now bottom up. Several of the
gentlemen passengers looking from the boats
following, having their wives and children on
the surf boat, began crying and wringing their
hands and the aceidant thus caused great ex-
element and suspense on the other boats and
some of the passengers wanted the ships beats
to pull in among the surf but this was preven-
| ted. The other boats then pulled back to the
ship and all the boats were next provisioned
and started to go round the Island to land on
the north side. On proceeding the fog settled
down again and a signal was given to
return to the ship which they did
Every. one then lay down to pass the night
as best they could, all being more or less worn
out, having been at work since Saturday
| night. On Monday the boat again left, al
though the fog continued. The west of the
island was safely rounded and boats landed,
when man arrived and instructed them to
proceed to the middle station about miles.
They then embarked again and got to the
middle station safely, and having landed
every attention was paid to the passengers and
crew by the governor of the island and his
family. Monday night at $50 life boat Eo 2
proceeded with the purser, third officer and 8
men to make the mainland.