Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-08-28
Loss Of the TallapOosa.

The L. :. Steamship Tallapoosa was run
iato and sGnk BY the coal laden schooner
James 5. Lowell Of Bath, on Thursday
evening OF last week, while of Cottage City,
Martha's Vineyard.
CAPTAIN REEDS STORY.
| Captain Reed. of the schooner james S.
| Lowell, states, in relation to the collision,
| that he was passing through the Sound last
mig hit with strong southwest wind, having
| all the sails set. The vessel was going at
| least nine knots an hour. The night was
| clear, but dark. When two miles away the
lookout reported red light, and Captain
Reed said, speaking TO the wheelman, Red,
keep her straight" Captain Reed then tells
the story as follows:
| stood near the wheel during all the
time, and the course was not altered until
word came that green light could be seen.
TO avoid this, ordered the helm hard
down, but before it could be done, and be-
fore my vessel had altered her course at all,
the two vessels struck each other, their
stems seemingly coming together exactly.
Our vessels stem glanced by the 1rallapoosa,
and penetrated into her hull
After the vessel had stopped, the steamer
swung around alongside of the Lowell
and all the crew might have jumped on
board but i, was not then known what was
the condition of either vessel. After getting
m, family who were on board as passengers
into the boat examined my vessel and
found she was leaking quite badly though
not in immediate danger Of sinking. The
Tallapoosa drifted away from US and sank
within ten minutes. before many of The
officers and crew had left her.
As she wen, down those who could. took
to the rigging and we're taken off later.
The schooner Mary A. Wood came along
and assisted in saving the crew. and later
the Gate tity of the Savannah line was sig
nailed and came 10 our assistance. After
all the saved were transferred TO her. she
steamed away for Woods Holl.
Our vessel is badly damaged, her stern
being started and the wood ends injured.
She madr II inches Of water in a short time.
We were underway proceeding to Vineyard
Haven. Touching the collision i, was the
mos. careless piece OF work ever saw. The
night was clear, the lights of the Lowell
burning all night and perfectly visible a
long distance.
COMMANDER MERRY's STORY.
The Navy Department, ma. received from
date q Woods Holl, Mass. Aug. -, his
repor; upon the sinking of the ralapoosa.
Il : a follows
i have to repor, the sinking Of the Tai
.ap1o,A ic>ierda, a Ills p. M. abou, four
m.-, east of East Chop light. by collision
Hltn TIE three masteG schooner James ).
Lowell. Tie Ta,apoosa lies in nine faith
ON, II water at high water. 4, the time
@. t1c collision the Iallapooss was steaming
w'iA uae boiler, half power against a food
TILE aud q strong wind from the southwest,
az gong c'er the ground at about IL
Z. au hour, he weather was hszv near
.rzpu, aI; Gear over mead. The red
aa. -ttcl l.-..fs If the schooner were sight
go Ah.u' 'vn points On the starbosrd bow.
~e SHOW ~ .cr our green light. Ia give
.. lHlg. room hid the helm put 10 star
rl. All * once She ufied and showed
..- ttl sga. ! then knew that a collision
at~ .r.,tah.e Tue schooner struck Is
l,t :a4nau! of the torergging on the star
haa:c tIs. cutting us below the water line
ANA ,tty aaaF miGshps. immediately saw
iaat Tie la.apoo>a wonld sink. and made
every effort IN my power TO clear the berth
dec>, and tire room, and ward rooms, calling
ed! hand, - abandon the ship.
Iac fiioers and men we're very quiet and
vent 10 the boats wlthou; excitement The
ship sank bow first " hich believe was ON
the bottom before her stern began 10
sluA Isl before her stern went down
ordered the man into the main rigging and
the executive officers. chief engineer nine
men aud myself also took to the rigging
70 the bet Judgment Of myself. coupled
with the opinions Of the officers and men
the ship Sank in five minutes. ordered the
boats To pick up the men in the water aud
take them 10 the schooner which. at nv re-
quest. had remained BY me- and she soon
after sent boat TO our assistance. Another
schooner anchored near and 50 Of our men
we're put on board OF her. AboIt the time
| reached the schooner the steamer Gate
CITY, bound TO Savannah, came along. was
ha.lrd and stopped sent Ensign White
sly on board and requested the master to
TAX. Us 10 Woods Holl. which he did will
ingl,, and he, together with his officers and
crew. treated Us with the greatest kindness
Every effort was made To save life and re-
gret TO report that Passed Assistant Sur
geon {. {. Black and George Foster. lands
man. are missing and are believed TO be
drowned. W. {. Donnell and William
Jones are also missing but several men say
they were seen on board the Gate CITY and
II is a general belief that on our arrival at
Woods iioll they were asleep and are now
on that vessel"
An investigation has been ordered which
vii. no doubt fix the blame where il proper
~ belongs.