The Portland daily press., 1882-12-02
LOSS OF A STEAMER.
Another Ocean Disaster Caused by
Blundering.
THRILLING SCENES ON THE WRECK

HALIFAX, n. S., Nov. 30.-Steamer Cedar
Grove while on voyage from London, Eng.
for Halifax, with Canadian goods and pas, en-
gers, sunk off Canso last night. A fearful gale
was blowing, and the steamer must have been
driven out of her course considerably, as she
should have beer 15 miles farther out Cape
Canso Island is at the southeast point of Nova
Scotia and there is a lighthouse there; but, ac-
companying the gale there was binding snow
storm, so that DothiDg could be distinguished
more than 20 feet away. AT 3 O'Clock a. M,
suddenly, fearful shock was felt. AT once ali
was in confusion on board. and the cry: 1--WE
are on the ledgesl' rang throughout the ship.
Somebody had blundtred, and the steamt had
struck the treacherous reef known as Wake, 8
rock, one mile west of Cranberry Island light.
The sea was running with fearful strength and
a,moment later the steamer was lifted off the
reef, but II was evident she was doomed, as the
water was pouring in, and she began to settle
down. rush was at once made for boats.
The roar of the breakers was heard close at
hand, nobody knew exactly where they were
and the utmost alarm prevailed. Three boats
were lowered and two of them succeeded in
gett1Ds through the breakers and reached land.
Nothing has been heard of the third and larger
part of those on board thersteamer who were lett
to come in this third boat There seems to have
been the widest confusion when the boats
were leaving, and those who were saved do
not know whether the missing people got into
their boat or perished in the steamer which
went down in ten fathoms of water within an
hour afttr she struck the reef There were 80
persons on the steamer. Only 13 escaped
Iheir names are: Stephen McAvitt of ST.
John, N b, a passenger; P. P. Reid Chief
Engineer, of Liverpool, Eng; Second Officer,
j. Pesrson;J Griffin, donkey-man; D. Kear
ney, fireman; j. Dickef, fireman. E. B. Will
son, seaman; ID. Clemeons, seaman; FL. Piper,
seaman; w. BarIlett, seaman; Scott Whne,
seaman; E. Patton, steward; John Walsh,
cabin boy.
Among the missing are Capt Jacob Fritz of
81. John. N. B., and his wife; Chief Officer
John B. Grah am of Maitland, N. S.; Second
Officer Arthur W. Masters of st. john Purser
Gearge Allan of London; Second Engineer Fl.
T. Pierson of Darlingford, Eng; Third Euei-
neer Henry III Sheppard of Cumberland, Eng
Chief Siewerd Wm. Brown of ST. John, aud
the rest OF the crew, beside Miss FairalI,
lady passenger.
The Cedar Grove was a brig-rigged iron
ship Of 2700 gross tons. She was built for the
lately organized New Brunswick Steamship
Co. of Hilton-on-Tyne, and was launched only
this August. Capt. Jacob Fri q her cnmman-
der, had been in the employ of Troop & Sons
OF o.. John, the managing owners for 30 years
aud was ever known most careful aud eff
Client tfficer The steamer was on her second
voyage out, and had large quantity of gener-
al Cargo for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and
the upper provinces The steamer was in
sured for $130-000, which was within $4,000
of value.
[LATER.]
HALIFAX, Dec. lit is impossible to obtain
list Ut the missing of the steamer Cedar
Fritz. Chief Officer Masters, Second Engineer
Pearson, Third Engineer Sheppard. and Miss
Fdrrill.
A steamer was observed at the wreck all the
morning, and steamed off about noon yester-
day. II is thought probable that the boais
may have been picked up by her. A schooner,
which arrived after the steamer left, found no
trace of any boat.
North SYDNEY, G. B., Dec. 1.-Schooner
Parole, bound to st. John from Caledonia,
coal laden, when off Canso yesterday morning
picked up one of the steamer Cedar Groves
boats in which were Chief Officer Maste RS,
Third Engineer, Chef Steward and eight men.
A few hours after steamer was seen steaming
eastward. signals were made on the schooner,
to which the steamer responded She proved
to be the Liddlesdale bound to the Mediterran-
can, calling here for coal, and when rounding
to the steamer struck the schooner in her quar-
ter, causing serious leak, and reboundipg
struck her second blow that made the Parole
helpless wreck. The crew OF the Schooner
and her rescued passengers numbering Is men,
made their escape from the rapidly sinking
schooner in her boats and were shortly after
picked up and brought in here today The
schooner disappeared from sight quickly, the
men only saving their clothing. The follow
ing is the statement of the Chief Steward
was on the deck of the CEDAR Grove with |
lady on one arm and holding ON with the 9TH
er, when the sea washed the lady from my
grasp.
The mate says he and the captain were
standing on the starboard side of the chart
room when the captain sent him forward {. let
go the anchor when the bow of the steamer
went down with him and lady. When he
rose he got into the boat with some of the
crew, but nothing could be seen of the captain
OF the lady. He thinks they are lost.
The total number saved from the wreck of
the Cedar Grove is 26, leaving FIVE. Captain
Fritz, Mlss Farrill, second and third engineers
and unknown man are still missing.