The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-04-01
The Sch. Fannie A. GOrham and the Oregon.

Capt. George ID. Mahoney, of the Belfast Sch
Fannie A. Gorham, who fell in with and rescued
the passengers of the ill fated steamship Oregon,
as before announced, arrived home last Saturday.
He was called upon by Journal representative,
but owing to some legal complications which may
arise concerning the matter the captain refused to
be interviewed.
Mr.. Edward Sibley, the agent of the schooner,
who had just returned from New York, where he
had been looking after the interests of the vessel
and owners, subsequently seen and he said ::
"You may say that we have filed claim for sal
wage against the consignees of $4,000 worth of
diamonds which the purscr of the Oregon took on
board our vessel"
Several New York papers have criticised Capt.
Mahoney, stating that he handled his vessel badly;
that he did not want to to the and that
he refused to take passengers on board his vessel.
In regard to this Mr.. sibley said: 81 wish you
would explain this matter and vindicate Capt. Ma
honey. He sighted the pilot boat and steamer two
hours after the accident. He did net think there
was any trouble with the steamer, but thought she
and the pilot boat had rescued some wrecked PEG
pie. When he discovered flag of distress he bore
down to the scene and hove to. Capt. Mahoney
then took on board and in tow about 800 people.
VI lcSoii
ME A. Gorham and asked Capt Mahoney if he
would not take on board all the passengers from
the pilot boat he, the captain of the Oregon,
wanted the pilot boat to cruise about the wrecked
steamer Capt. Mahoney consulted his mate and it
their opinion it was not safe to take any more
ON board and he so informed the captain of the
Oregon. The Fannie A. Gorham was full, cabin,
top of the house, deckload, and many in the rig
ging, besides towing several boatloads of men
astern. Any can see and understand the con
dition of things. Those on deck in the crowded
condition We're liable to be pushed overheard, and
it would have been hazardous to have attempted,
at sea, to have taken on board the 400 passengers
from the pilot boat. Capt. Mahoney obliged
to act promptly and decidedly in the matter. He
asked for provisions to be sent ON board, for the
passengers had had no breakfast ard We're hungry.
small quantity was furnished him, which was
eaten soon received. Capt. Mahoney bore
away for Newport but the steamer Fuda heaving
in sight he waited and transferred the passengers
to that steamer The Oregon sunk before the Full
da arrived, the timely assistance rendered by
Capt. Mahoney has been underestimate"
1t is the opinion Of one OF the passengers whom
Mr.. Sibley saw and converscd with that had not
the Fannie A. Gorham arrived several hundred
people might have been lost.
The passengers were so grateful to Capt. Ma
honey and his crew that they presented them with
a most substantial gift.
Mr. Sibey said that from the best information he
could obtain the Oregon disaster caused not
by collision with three masted schooner but by
colliding with the spars of the sunken steamer,
Hylton Castle, which lies off the coas' between Fire
Island and Shinnacook. One passenger said he
heard the captain of the Oregon eNclaim: 1--WE
have struck the ilylton Castle. It's all day with
me"
We hope the owners of the Fannie A. Gorham
will receive salvage the articles saved, and that
there will be due recognition of the valuable ser
vices rendered by Capt. Mahoney and his crew.