The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-10
THE TRUE STORY.
What Caused she Disaster-A Press RE
porter Visits the Locality of the Wreck.
Especial to the Press I


Especial to the Press.l
RoCKLAND May 9.
The story OF the wreck ,as it has thus far been
made public, does not give the correct history
OF events during the few minutes which
elapsed while the vessel was running from
White Head Light to the ledge where she was
wrecked Capt. Larcom had tarned in, while
the steamship was on the outside course. leay-
ing the first pilot, f. A. Bibber, in charge
The pilot determined to change the course OF
the vessel and go through the inside route.
which requires about the same length of time.
and is much smoother sailing. Soon after he
retired himself, but according to his orders was
called by the second pilot when the steamer
was off White Head light. The course was
laid up Muscle Ridge to the bell buoy off Ash
Point. Then, instead of going mile farther
to Owls Head, and then through the Thor
oughfares, the usual course was followed. and
the steamer was steered east-northeast to pass
between Northwest and Grindstone lodges, on
each OF which is buoy, and which are one.
quarter Of nautical mile apart Probably
the course between the lodges was
laid a half a minute or so later
than usual, and the buoy loft astern
rather than on the port, as the coutse was
laid east northeast. This would bring her
hard on to Northwest ledge. where size was car
ried as the sequel shows. From the bell buoy
to the rocks IS little over nautical mile. q
fact which etfectualy disposes of the pilots re-
ported statement that he saw tho buoy IN
Northwest ledge a minuts after she left the
bell buoy. The second pilot was at tho win
Of ha of
wheelman at the wheel, and the first pilot at
the starbcard window of the pilot
house, and the vessel was going at the rate of
eleven knots an hour. A little over five min
utes brought her to the ledge buoys Just as
the first pilot was saying "We had better
keep her little more to the eastward the
second pilot saw the buoy over the port side
and threw the wheel to port. But it was too
late and ia moment the vessel was on the
ledge. The bow lookout did not see the buov
though generally OF course distractions are
hrst seen from the pilot house. The CAPTAIN was
awakened by the shock, laaped to his feet and
went on deck. The first pilot was so excited
that for moment he could not tell the can.
tain where the boat was, but finally managed
to say I'VE are on Grindstone LEDGE"
On learning where the vessel was the captain
at once comprehended the situation
and ordered the first mate to take boat and
go ashore for assistance. This was done and
the passengers were all safely removed With
out single one of them wetting foot The
vessel ran upon the ledge as far as amidships
and hung there. About ten o'clock Captain
Larcom left the deck of the vessel, lust about
as it went under water. Hung upon the ledge
as 1t was the lead of watersfore and aft broke
the hull OF the vessel and while the upper
part OF her machinery remains on the ledge
above water the stern and bow are SUBMERGED.
A more than passing notice is due to the ex-
ertions OF the captain of the life saving station
at White Head Light and his assistants. The
crew went off Thursday, May l, for the sea-
son, as this station is supplied with a cew
but six months out of the year. The captain
alone remains at the station. When it became
light on Thursday morning the CAPTAIN saw
the distress signals set by the steamer, and sig
mailing to some of his old crew, members of
which reside on the island, he collected three
men and started for the wreck in the life boat
They had several miles to pull, and the wind
was dead against them, blowing hard to the
eastward, and the sea was rolling in, making
their progress exceeding difficult. Three more
volunteers Joined them from the shore, and
they proceeded to the wreck. They reached
the vessel just as the crew and captain were
leaving her, and offered to act under his or
ders.
AS is generally the case when any vessel is in
distress off our coast, the revenue cutter Wood
bury was on hand to furnish assistance. Captain
Abbey heard OF the accident at Bangor Thurs
day noon, and at once brought the cut
ter 10 hockland. lie passed the wrecked
steamer at p. M, came into the haroor and
at once rendered his services to the Interna-
tional Steamship Company. Mr.. Hersey CRATE
fully accepted his offer of assistance, and at 4
this morning party consisting of Mr.. Herssy,
Capts: Larcom and Tompson, Mr. Hamilton
and his diver, PRESS representative, and 9TH
er othcers and men of the crew of the City of
Portland, left steamboat wharf to go aboard the
cutter and take trip to the scene of the
wreck. The weather during the night was so
pad that the City of Richmond and Cambridge
had remained at their berths, and at this hour
it was rather thick, with the rain coming down
last last and the wind bowling dismally. Steam
from her moorings on her trip down the bay.
The sea was comparatively calm in the harbor
and until Owls Head was reached where the
sweep of the sea began to be felt. Just as
she rounded the light she ran into series of
thunder showers The course taken was
directly dow, Muscle Ridge Channel, and as
Sheep Island buoy was passed the party caught
the first glimpse of the wreck through the fog
and rain, lying beyond an intervening line Of
breakers. SkirtiDg these, the cutter gradually
approached the scene of the disaster. The
City Of Portland is not the first vessel which has