Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-18
MELANCHOLY DISASTER.
Npns Men Lost Ia Gale-A Brave SeScner's
fate.

NInf Mcn Lost tn "a taie-A brave sNe~thti
fate.
A Halifax. n. $, special Of Sunday say:
A terrible accident occurred ut Pictou
Island Yesterday, resulting in the death OF
nine men who were working on the wreck
Of The steamer Inyeralt. at that place.
NAMES OF THE LOST wRECERRS.
Following are TIE names OF the lost men:
Charles Johnston. 81. John. y. b.; Wesley
Verge, Halifax: Lewis Lawrence. Pictou
Island: Hugh McFariane. Pictou Island;
George Mecten, Quebec; Fred. Doran, Que
bee: William Allard, Quebec; Arthur
Browne, Liverpool.
SCENE OP THE CALAMITY.
Pictou Island l. about four miles square.
and is situated several miles outside OF the
harbor of Pietou. II is much exposed 10
storm. and has been the scene OF several Sc
nous disasters TO shipping.
On the night OF the 4th Of last July. du-
ring storm, The steamer lnvcralt, bound
from Montreal for Pictou, in ballast. struck
within short distance Of shore. and
proved total loss. though all on board
were saved. The ship aiterward filled win
water aud sank. Numerous Intellectual at
tempts have since been made to pump the
water out and raisc her. but lately these
posed Of at auction FOL $4,000, being pur-
chased by Nova Scotssis and parties IN
Quebec. For the past couple OF weeks q
crew OF wreekers from Halifax, Piciou,
and Quebec have bccu al work raising the
machinery from the ,unken vessel and re-
moving II 10 the land. The men engaged
numbered eleven, including two from this
city. several from Pictou, aud the remain
der from Quebec.
STRUGGLING N THE WATER.
Yesterday afternoon strong gale from
the north compelled them to abandon work
for the day earlier than usual, and in a
lIfcboat, eighteen feet long. they startedfrom
the wrecking schooner for the island, only
about one hundred yards distant. The
shore had almost been reached. when Just
as the craft was crossing reef she was
capsized and the whole eleven men thrown
into the water. Seven Of them managed
10 take hold OF the bottom OF their boat,
but the others sank almost Immediately,
with hardly an effort 10 save themselves.
The sea was running high, aud the up
turned boat. to which the seven were
elinging. was pitched aud tossed IN such u
manner that The men found il very difficult
to retain their hold.
AworLD-uE RESCUER's FATg.
Shortly after the accident happened il
was noticed by William Alard. cook OF
the lighthouse station on the island, who al
once put on In small boat 10 attempt ia,
rescue OF the men. In his light boat. how.
ever. he could make hut slow progress, ant
In bis Effort to reach the men he unfortll
nately dropped an oar and failed 10 regatf
II. His position was thus rendered help
less, the strong wind carried him out /,
sea, and he is almost certainly lost.
shortly alter Alisrd put OF Fred. Curr,
aud another resident OF the island observes
the perilous situation Of the men IRON III
wrecked steamer. and they, too, lsunche,
larger and stronger boat than the on
which preceded them, aud made all posi-
bile hcadwsy toward those in danger. TIL
waves were now rolling in ON the bcacl
with terrific force, and tie gate eonstautll
increasing In violence. When they reache,
the up,urned boat seven men were sill
holding brsyely TO the bottom, bu, wer
rapidly being blown out 10 sea.
JUMPING TO THsix pRATH.
The boat had drIited about two mile,
when Curry and his companion came with
In reach. aud the two ressuers as they wcr,
carried by those in distress sang out for
them 10 jump. All aid 30 almost together
bat three only OF them succeeded in catch.
ing hold OF the other boat and In getting
safely on board. The other four failing TO
reach her again ersspcd the overturned boat,
but before they could be again approached
heavy sea washed them ont Of sight,
and all were lot. The five now In curry's
boat found themselves adrift aud unable 10
help themselves, bat in the mean time
James iIogg. = Iishlhouse-keeper. and two
other island.men had heard OF the accident
and started 10 the rescue in an open sailing
boat.
The sesond host that put on was over
taken four miles out al sea aud all were
safely Transferred. Then. unable 10 return
10 Pietou Island against the prevailing gale.
the boat was stirred toward Pictou town.
and reached there safely late last night.