Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-14

uSiHS INtAVU UP ~ VtsS W Wv
lifeboats from the Stonin.ton and taken OF
board that boat. During this two hours
saw. should think, 20 persons 60 down,
and one of the saddess sights that witnessed
was the sinking of whole family. man,
woman and child, when almost within reach
of our buoy. They went down with hands
Joined. saw another struggling and calling
out in despair. and 80 far as could learn -
the time was rescued fully onc-halt Of those
on board must have been lost.
| The collision and the burning Of the boat
10 the edge of the main deck, could not have
consumed over 20 minutes, for upon reaching
the deck Of the Stonington looked At my
watch and found it had stopped At 1l.%0 p.
NJ. The ruined boat must have been about
) miles from shore at the time Of striking,
but afterwards drifted into shoal water and
grounded. Her starboard side from the bow
to the wheel box is completely stove in, her
engine destroyed, and the flames have conf
ple,ed the work of destruction.
The passengers lost all their baggage and
many escaped only with their night clothes.
The steamer Stonington was rakcd from
stem To stern, and in taking the rescued pas
sengers from the wreck to the Ssonington
took in much water. Everything possible
was done for the convenience and comfort of
the passengers, but all were suffering greatly.
IL is certainly one of the most disastrous cal
antilles thai has visited our home steamers
for years. The steamer New York Of the
Norwich line rendered valuable assistance in
rescuing the passengers.
Another passenger, Mr.. Wilcox Of Chicago,
gives the following account of his experience
and what he saw: lie had retired to his
stateroom, No. 95, which is about amidships.
and was awakened by the crash of glass, and
immediately became aware by the wrench and
groan of timbers, that the vessel had either
been struck or run az. ound. Mr.. Wilcox has
had the misfortune to lose a leg, and Instant
" feared that he should be pinned in his state
room by the fastening of the door il he did
not Immediately get ont. so without dressing
himself, without his crutch. and without max
ing but one futile grab for his pocketbook,
containing $500, which he had left under his
pillow, hc made his way out into the aisle
with his coat and trousers in his hands. by
this time the boat had taken fire from the
blazing gas, and there was scene Of the st
most terror and confusion. woman flung
herself upon him screaming, "Save me and
nv child" but of course, MIR. Wilcox could
do nothing in his helpless condition. lie
managed to dress himself and struggled on
deck. to scene Of equally mad confusion,
disorder and frantic fear. \ dense fog pre-
vailed. so that nothing could be seen on the
water, and only the whistle and bell Of the
Stonington gave token of her presence not far
of. There was cry for llie-boats, and one
was cut loose from amdships from near where
Wilcox was standing. lie threw himself over
the side and fortunately struck within it.
Others followed. including n woman, who
buried him beneath her weight. Some one cut
loose or united the rope. and the boat was
pushed Off from the burning steamer, to
avoid being swampcd by the passengers who
were swimming in the water, supported by
life prcservers, or pieces of furnitcre, and hl-
ling the air With cries for help. The boat WAS
pulled out, and within short time the Mar
ragansett sunk in its flames, leaving n total
darkness on the waters. The boat remained
out for what Mr.. Wilcox Judged Ia be about
three hours, when, feeling the approch of the
coming storm of wind and rain, he urged
them To pull for the sound of the steamer,
which was still blowing her whistle, as the
only hope to escape being overset. They did
go and arrived safely on board the Stonington.
The boats load, including Mr.. Wilcox, num-
bered 10, none of whose names he learned,
but three of whom he thinks, were Of the crew
of the Nar.agansctt.
Mr.. James +. Rock was a passenger on the
Stonington, bound for New York. He had
left Boston at the usual hour last night. had
procured his stateroom, and having gone on
board the boat at Stonington, had retired at
II o'clock. The weather being very thick
and the steamer sounding her "hlsue very
frequently MI Rock was unable 10 go !"
sleep ihmeuia'eiy. WINE yi"s J" MS oe''"
ne suddenly near,' '"e ~h's''e VI rean"er'
which seemed to be only short distance
away. AGAIN IL soun"eu answer 70 our o. W,
whistle, ana at th's !ime II seemed 10 DC sun
nearer. At TINS, thinking mat there Inigmt
he some trouble, ne got out OF ms oe.h
and dressed himself rapidly, nut before ne
could get ms clothes ehtire'y on steamer
Scenic" 10 s'r'he Tue 10" VI ,"e o.o""s.o"
with tremendous crash Inc o'o"hs'c"
tremoieu from Stem 10 s'ern' ana soPpeu :"
an instant. MI ROCK Is qu'e ce.'"'" '"e
Stonington had Stacked up ier speeu anu was
almost at cead dead stop when the COLLISION
| occurred. lie ran out OF his room NJ once
and crossed over to the side OF the steamer
which seemed to have been struck. As nc
did so, he saw another steamer. the Narra-
gansett, reelng away from the iarboard DOW
OF the Ston'ngtoh, lie cou,u no' see IN inc
intense darkness tiat prevaiieu' what oA"'ase
had been sustained by either boat.
Every one on b41rd the Stonington, now
ever, were apprehensive that she was IN
sinking condition, Inasmuch as the pumps
were Immediately put to work, ana the SHOUTS
OF officers forward Tor assistance were very
peremptory 1t was presently discovered