Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-09
Another Misfortune for the
International Steamship
Company.
The City of Portland Lost
The Passengers and Grew
ALI Saved.
Statements by the Captain, First
and Second Pilots and
Passengers.

RocKLASD, May s.
The steamer City of Portland, Captain
Larcom, of the international Steamship line
running between Portland and St. John, n
B, struck Grindstone Ledge on Owls Head
at 3.l5 this morning.
The steamer left Portland last night at s. A.
with 20 passengers and about two-,hirds of a
cargo of general character. The night was
clear. The first pilot was in charge and had
sighted the striped buoy on the port bow be-
tween Sheep and FishermaHs islands. In a
few minutes she struck the ledge, slid on
amidships and stuck fast. The buoy was then
80 feet abreast of the paddles on the port
side. The pumps were started at once, dis
tress colors set and the boats cleared. The
officers and crew were cool. The passen-
gers behaved WELL The mate landed in a
boat and drove to Rockland six miles distant,
for help. The steamer Rockland, Captain
Sawtelle, of the Bangor and Boston line,
promptly answered the call. She reached
the scene of the wreck at $50 A. M. Mean
time a sloop from Owls Head, Captain Wal
lace answered the signals. Two boat loads
of women and children were transferred to
the sloop without accident, despite the heavy
sea. The balance, together with the baggage,
express matter. ETC., were put aboard the
Rockland and brought to this city. The pas
sengers are well cared for and will be for.
warded to their destination.
bo 90 tba IL nj 81 Gsba
says that the striped buoy is out of position
Had the steamer passed on the other side she
would have been all right
The City of Portland was built in Portland
and about 100 tons burden. Her hull wa:
built by Joseph w. Dyer. engine by the
Portland Machine company and boilers by
Quinn & Co. Her hull was of white OAK
diagonally strapped OIL the frame. She was
planked with white oak, copper fastened and
ceiled on the inside with Southern pine. She
was one of the staunchest boats ever built il
the State. She had 73 staterooms.
The officers of the company state that the
boat was worsh 100000. There was ma
rine insurance on her of about $40, 900.
The loss on freight will be borne by the
shippers, Most of the freight was from Bos
ton, only small amount belonging to Port
land merchants. The cargo was lighter thar
usual owing to this being the first of the tr
weekly trips. The passenger list is on boart
the steamer. The friends of the passenger:
! o,n rast aasv about tboy,, thay uoro takar
off without injury
| The loss of the steamer is quite unfortunate
for the company. coming so soon after the
burning of the Falmouth, but the regular
trips of the line will be made as previously
arranged The steamer Lewiston will take
the place of the City of Portland until Other
arrangements are made.
| The City of Portland was formerly called
the New England, and was one of the pioneer
boats of the line from Boston to St. John.
While named the New England she was
burned to the waters edge, at her wharf in
St. John, and at another time she was wrecked
on the Wolves. group of dangerous rocks
between Eastport and st. john. 1t was after
this wreck that the craft was rebuilt and
called the City of Portland.
A heavy gale is prevailing, breaking uI
the hull. The vessel and cargo will be g
totol loss.
The revenue cutter Woodbury. left fol
the wreck of the City of Portland at O'Clock
this evening. The steamer had broken ir
two and all her upper works we're gone and
the sea. which is increasing in violence, will
soon destroy what remains of the vessel.
| In fair weather the usual course of the
line from Portland to st. John is outside OF
Monhegan and Matinicus. In fair weather
the course is laid up through Muscle Ridge
Channel, swing at Ash Point bell and pro
ceeding E. Y. E., out through Grindstont
Channel, so called. This channel is one
fourth of a mile wide. The narrowest pas
sage is between two lodges known as North
west and Grindstoue. the former marxed BY
striped buoy. Ii is on this ledge that the
steamer struck while going at full speed
She struck hard enough to prevent sliding
of. thus escaping additional horror OF
drowning all on board.
Can't. Larcom was abed when the vessel
struck. When he retired the steamer was or
the outside course. but the weather looked
threatening when she reached Monhegan and
and the pilot altered her course to Muscle
Ridge. The passengers we're mostly bound
to Eastport and st. John. They were landed
here as stated in former despatch and cared
destination over the railroad this afternoon
The steamer Pioneer, Capt. Greed. from
vinal Haven TO this port, sighted the wreck
At 10 o'clock and steamed there, but could
render no aid. She tewed the saving schooner