The Portland daily press., 1886-02-15
THE CAM MRRIDcE.
Capt. lngraham Submits His Story
of the Disaster.

RoCKLAND, Feb. 13.-Steamer Rockland
Capt. William Sawtelle of the Boston and
Bangor line, having on board Supt. Little
field, Chief Engineer Hathorne and Other
gentlemen, left early this morning for the
scene of the Cambridge disaster As the
steamer drew near, it was found that the hui
of the Cambridge was gone, but the walking
beam. gallows frame, steam chests and cylln
ders could be discerned, while the por
wheel lay on its side on rods. The shafts
were pulled out and the smoke stack gone,
but the drums and boilers were in sight
The steamer ran so far on the ledge that hel
bow broke off and fell down. The freight
is scattered all along the coast, and very lit
tie viii be recovered.
Capt. Ingraham's story, as told to the As
sociated Press reporter is as follows:
THE CAPTAINS STORY.
LEFT Boston at $50 Tuesday afternoon o,t f4l
east, the night clear, with little. smoke, Passed
Thateher's Island a little after 8, and reached
Boon Island little before IL Reacnlbg oCdpt
Seguin and laid down for rest When pasl
Seguin, looked out and saw Pemaquld point anG
Franklin lights AT this time the wind was sui
light, and it was clear. All was well, and again
laid down. First pilot Capt. VIM. 1. Rogers was
in charge of the steamer at this. time, it being
Second Pilot Farnsworth's watch below. Was
very easily, and supposed she had collided Will
a vessel or that something had happened to the ell
gine. Hurried to the pilot house, and Capt Rog
er ers told me that we were on Old Man. Ordered
the mate to 90 below and see if the boat was max
ing water, and accompanied him. Found the
boat leaking, and attempted to stop it by the use
of blankets and other things but the water came
in with such force that it frustrated all our EFFORTS
Seeing the mpossibility Of stopping the ,,i now & O
water and fearing that the boat would slip iron
the rock into deep water and sink, ordered oul
boats, eight in number to be cleared away ano
the passengers transferred. This was done i'll z
quietly, orderly way, the lady passengers as wei wei
as the men conducting themselves herolGaiISS X
These boats placed in charge OF Purser ". b
Eaton. ordering him to see themin place OF saie
tv and comfort and then to proceed to the main
land, and get the news OF our condition over tht
telegraph wires as soon as possible. Cnle1 Ehglil
hung to the wreck, hoping that we mlghU save
something. The other boats were ordered TO re-
turn as soon as they had disposed OF the passen p
gers Daylight had come by this time. SooI
after the passengers were landed, the vino
breezed up from east-northeast and made very
rough sea. Two hours after we struck the Cam
bridge broke in two About 10 o'clock the cutter
Dallas, Capt. Barr came to our aid, ahd was SEM
tSpick up the passengers, who We're slowed away
in The one House on Burnt tslsland, and take tha'
portion of the crew landen on Aliens Island
Chief Hathorne and ! with boats crew, Stayeo
by the wreck till O'Clock "Wednesday, afternoon
BY this time the Cambridge was complerely DrOk
en- in Two forward OF the wheel. There was egh
feet Of xater in the after-cabln, and the sea wa:
breaking in at the after gangway. We had grea
difficulty in leaving the wrecN on account OF tht
heavy sea. We went over the stern by the lad
der After hard fight with the sea in an opeI
boat, and completely saturated with icy waller e
we were taken in tow by the smack Eleetnt
Light, Capt. William Condor, and landed at fof
Clyde, where we were very Hospitality entertained
by the family of Capt. Samuel Trussell; Watchet
the wreck with q glass until it dsappeare et
Thursday afternoon at O'Clock. Have no theor.
for the cause of the disaster. No man in thu
world knows the course better than Capt. Rogers
and lie is in every way trustworthy.