The Portland daily press., 1882-09-22
PERILs OF THE FISHERIES.
A GLOUCESTER SCHOONER RUN INTO
AND SUNK OFF sEGUIN.
Rescue of the Crew and Their Arrival at
This Port.

Yesterday afternoon the mackerel seinsl
Wildfire of Gloucester, Mass, Geo. M. Nc
Claim master, arrived at this port, bringing
Captain Martin Petersen and crew of four men
| of the schooner Planet of Gloucester, whom
the Wildfire had picked up from dory about
| 10 o'clock in the forenoon twelve miles oil
Cape Elizabeth. The rescued crew stated their
vessel had been run into yesterday morning by
an eastern bound steamer, when off Seguin
Light, and sunk. A reporter of the PRESS
visited the Office of Dana & Co., on CONNER
learned the following particulars:
The Planet was homeward bound from a
successful fishing trip, her fare consisting OF
about 10000 pounds of fish. About 3 o'clock
yesterday morning the schooner was speeding
along under full sail with good breeze
about fifteen miles off Seguin Light--the light
bearing east-northeast-on southwest course.
The morning was misty and dark, though not
to such an extent but that vessel's light
could be seen nearly mile away. All their
lights we're properly set.
The watch noticed light apparently about
three-quarters of mile away bearing down
upon them, and soon perceived asteamer APP
preaching directly towards their vessel. Ac-
cording to the laws of navigation sailing ves-
sci must never, under any circumstances,
change her course when steamer is approach
ing her, as the latter must keep clear of the
former. Consequently the schooner kept on her
course, though it was evident the steamer had
not perceived her, for it was coming on under
full speed, and it then looked as though the
Planet would be struck amidships.
Every effort was made by the schooners
crew to attract the attention of the steamer.
Horns were blown and the men shouted, but to
no avail. When right upon the schooner it
seemed as though the steamers officers noticed
the condition of affairs,fo their course was sud
denly changed. But it was done too late to
avoid collision, and the steamer struck the
Planet glancing blow on her starboard quar-
ter, crashing into her stern and cutting it COM
pletely off, SO that her rudder hung by only
one brace.
Speed, however, was not slackened on the
steamer, but in passing some one on board of
her sang out "Are you all right?'' to which the
captain replied mo, lower your boats" No
boats, however, were lowered, and Capt Pc
tersen says as he was to the windward, they
either did not hear him, or did not care to, as
they kept right on their course.
Capt. Petersen and crew at first thought
they might keep their vessel afoat till they
could make port, and they all sprsng to the
pumps and worked like heroes. But it was of
no avail; the water steadily gained on them,
and they barely had time to get into their dory
and escape before the vessel gave lurch and
went down at o'clock a. m. They saved
nothing but the clothes on their backs They
then started for this port and were picked up
by the Wildfire as above stated.
The Planet was 80 39-100 tons, and was own
ed by James McGrath of Gloucester, Mass.
She was about thirty-two years old, and was
insured for $500. Her outfit, &C., was unin-
sured The vessel left the home port some six
weeks ago, and as we previouIy stated, had
met with good luck,
Through the liberality of the Portland Steam
Packet Company, Dana & Co. were enabled to
forward the wrecked crew to Boston last night
free of charge.
The captain of the Planet has his suspicious
as to the name of the steamer which sunk him,
but is not prepared to give it at present