The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-29
EXCURSION STEAMER SUNK,
The Rose Standish Run Down by
Tug in Boston Harbor.
OVER ONE HUNDRED p PASSENGERS
ON BOARD, BUT ALL SAVED.


Boston, Aug. 2S.-Steamer Rose Standish.
OF the Boston aud bingham Steamboat Line,
was sunk shortly after leaving her wharf to-
night by the tug boat Wesley A. Cove. There
were numerous passengers on board, but all
were saved.
Boston, Aug. 28.-Early tonight rumor
were current about the city that harbor ex-
cursion steamer had been wrecked. Crowds OF
people locked TO the wharves, many of whom
bad friends on board some of the pleasure
boats which ply between Boston and the vsri-
GUS summer resorts within two hours reach OF
the city. Watermen at each point directed the
anxious inquirers to Rowe's wharf, where they
learned that the steamer Rose Standish of the
Boston and bingham Steamboat Co.. plying
between Boston, Downer's Landing and Hing
ham had been sunk in the harbor within sight
of the wharf from which she had sailed at 5l5
p. m. The harbor was full of sailing craft,
and Captain Ingraham says he was feeling his
way among the boats TO get into clear water
and was just rounding the stern of large
schooner when he deserted the Commercial
Company's tug Wesley A. Cove, new and
very powerful boat, bearing down upon him.
There was no time, the captain said, to even
blow blast from his whistle before the pro-
peler was upon him. The Standish was
struck about a foot abaft of the forward port
gangwsy, the PROV of the tug forcing its way
clear through the deck and planking into the
engine room scattering lighted Goals Ia every
direction, and firing ali the wood work in the
vicinity OF the fire room, and as an officer Of
the boat said ''She would have burned up if
she had not sunk SO quick" There were 10l
passengers on board and for moment there
was great excitement among them. The in
slant Capt. Ingraham saw that the vessel must
sink he blew a distress signal on his steam
whistle, and this called five tugs and. the
steamer VIM. Harrison from adjacent wharves
to the assistance of the disabled steamer and SO
excellent was the discipline OF the crew of the
Standish and ability of the aiding vessels that
every passenger Tin the language of an admiriDg
deck HANDY was taken from the sinking steam
er without even "Getting their feet wet"
Considering that the Standish sank within
six minutes after she was struck, the safe and
speedy removal of her passengers was remark
able. The GOODNESS of the officers of the Stan
dish was remarked by many passengers. They
stood at their posts until the encroaching water
compelled them to seek the steamer boats
which had been lowered, an instant before the
collision occurred. Use of them was however,
rendered unnecessary by the feet OF tugs,
small boats and steamers which focked about
the sinking steamer giving assistance.
The panic among the passengers was intense
for moment. Many women tainted and those
OF the other sex of nervous temperament made
considerable excitement among the passengers
by their insane man9uvres. The calmness of
the officers of the boat and their cool conduct
averted any danger that might have tvanspired
under less strict discipline. Everyone, even to
the deck hands lost their ward robes. The
steamer lies now canted on the starbard side,
the smokestack, pilot house. and few feet of
her hurricane deck out of water. She lies
within $50 yards of the East Boston shore,
directly in the track of all harbor vessels.
WEARING above Rowe's wharf. Lights have
been placed upon all points above the water
and as the disaster is generally made known
by telephone and telegraph, there is little dan
ger of collision with the wreck.
The Rose Standish was built in Brooklyn,
N. Y, in 1868 and thoroughly rebuilt in 1877,
at an expense of nearly 100000. She is
392 $500 tons me asurement and is licensed to
Garry 1000 passengers. Capt. @. r. Ingraham
an experienced officer has been and was at the
time OF the collision her commander.
The officers of the Standish say that they
saw the pilot and others OF the tug Cove leave
the pilot house shortly before the collision,
leaving that boat without any one at the wheel
to control her. The officers of the Cove re-
fuse TO talk. The Stsndish was rot insured.