The Portland daily press., 1882-08-02
wreck Of the American Ship S. G. Blan-

Wreck of the American Ship S. c.. Blan-
chard.
On Monday last the ship County of Lancas-
ter, 500 tons, Capt. Fuller, from the River
Plate bound to Point de Gale, arrived at
this port having on board Capt. Oakes, his
wife, and q men, the crew Of the American
ship S. G. Blanchard. From particulars we
have been permitted to collect from the ships
log, we learn that the S. .. Blanchard was a
vessel of 1904 tons, from San Francisco to An
twerp, with cargo Of Al ,379 sacks OF wheat,
and when about 80 days out MAY 29th), gale
sprung up which increased in violence until
the 31st of May, when squall from WNW
struck the ship, splitting the upper mizzen
and breaking the spanker boom. The vessel
was rolling fearfully and shipping large guam
titles of water, and about midnight the gale
ragged furiously. AT a. m. on the LIST OF j une
a tremendous sea was shipped which stove in
the jolly boat and the long boat, and shifted
the cargo. There was no abatement OF storm
the I'd of June. The pumps which had been
working well were choked by the loose grain
floating about in the hold and several at
tempts were made to clear them, but to no
purpose. On the 3d. squall after squall arose,
and the vessel was laboring fearfully; heavy
seas being shipped continuously. and tho water
IN the hold rapidly gaining on her, the pumps
heisg rendered useless by the loose grain.
Inc whole day and night was one OF intense
anxiety. just before daybreak on the morn
ing OF the 4th inst. violent hurricane sprung
up Which tore the fore topsail into ribbons. A
man was told to pour oil overheard which
broke ths force OF the sea considerably. AT
a. m. terrific squall arose, blowing the top
sails out of the gaskets, parting the lee cross
jack, and destroying the lower and upper
miZzen topsails. At q. m. the ship
was thrown on hAr haarn ands the seas awaap-
ing over her and washing everything about the
deck, smashing in the deck houses, cabin, etc.
On the 18th in the hopes OF getting the ship
rlghted, the captain ordered cargo to be thrown
overheard, but the vessel was like log, quite
at the mercy of the waves and all hands were
becoming thoroughly fatigued by the extra ex-
ertion that had been required of them, the ex-
p0sure and want of proper nour1shment-for
all the stores were damaged by sea water, with
the exception of some ship biscuit AT IL p.
m. a ship was sighted, and signals of distress
for her to lay to till the morning Immediately
sent up. The vessel proved to be the County of
Lancaster, but owing to the fearful sea rum
ming immediate assistance could not De render
ed. On board the distressed ship all hands
were called aft and a consultation took place,
when it was concluded that it was beyond hui
man power to save the ship as she had 145 feet
OF water in the hold. was unmanageable and in
sinking condition, and it was therefore de-
cided to abandon her. The life beat (the only
boat leit) was Jnen gOG ready anu launched
from the deck house. About 3 p. m. twelve
men were sent in her in charge of the second
mate, and reached the County of Lancaster
safely. The boat was then sent back TO the
wreck, and returned with the captain, his wife
and the remainder of the crew. On board the
shin every kindness was shown the distressed
mariners who had lost all, and on their arrival
here they went at once to the American consul
lar agent, Mr.. j. w. Philip, who Immediately
made arrangements for their comfort.-L From
Port Elizabeth paper.