Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-15
MAINE DISPATCHES.
THE CAMBRIDGE WRECK.
capt. lnsraham Submits His Sto,v tho
Accident.

RoCKLAND, Feb. l3
steamer Rockland, Capt William Saw
telle, of the Boston and Bangor limo hov;no
On BOARD Supt Littleield, Chief Engineer
hathorne and other gentlemen, left earlv this
morning Tor the scene of the Cambridge dis
aster- AS the steamer drew near, it was
found that the hull of the Cambridge was
gone, but the walking beam, gallows frame
steam chests and cylinders could be diserned
whlle the port 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 her bow broke off and fell down. The
freight is scattered all along the coast and
very little will be recovered.
Capt. Ingraham's story. as told to the asso-
Grated press reporter, is as follows: LEFT
Boston at $50 Tuesday afternoon for Rock
land. The wind was very light, east-north.
east, the night clear, with little smoke. Pass
ed Thacher's Island a little after s, and
Boone Island little before IL. Reaching
Cape Porpoise at r. 10, the steamer was kept
off for Seguin and laid down for a rest.
When past Seguin, looked out and saw Penn
aquid point and Franklin lights At this
time the wind was still light and it was clear
All was we'll and again laid down. First
Pilot Capt. William T. Rogers was in charge
OF the steamer at this time, it being Second
Pilot Farnsworths watch below. Was awake
when the boat struck at 4.45. She struck verv
easily and l supposed she had collided
with vessel, or that something had hap
pened to the engine. Hurried to the pilot
house. and Capt. Rogers told me that we
were on Old Man. Ordered the mate to go
below and see if the boat was making 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 impossibility OF
stopping the flow of water, and fearing that
the boat would slip from the rock into deep
water and sink, ordered our boats, eight in
number, to be cleared away, and the passen-
gers transferred This was done in a quiet,
orderly way, the lady passengers as well as
the men conducting themselves herocally.
These boats placed in charge Of Purser w.
b. Eaton, ordering him to see them to place
of safety and comfort, and then to proceed
to the mainland, and get the news of our
condition over the telegraph wires as soon as
possible. Chief Engineer Hathorne and my
self, With boats crew, hung to the wreck,
hoping that we might save something. The
other boats were ordered to return as soon as
they had opposed of their passengers. Day
light had come by this time. Soon after
the passengers were landed, the wind
breezed up from east-northest and made
very rough sea. Two hours after we struck
the Cambridge broke in two. About 10
o'clock the cutter Dallas, Capt. Barr. came
to our aid, and was sent to pick up the pas
sengers, who were slowed away in the one
house on Burnt Island, and take that portion
of the crew landed on Aliens Island. Chief
Hathorne and |, with a boats crew, stayed
by the wreck till three o'clock Wednesday at-
ternO0n. Dy tuIS ,ihe VIC S""oiiNSS WOO
completely broken in two forward of the
wheel. There was eight feet of water III the
after cabin. and the sea was breaking in at
the after gangway. We had great difficulty
in leaving the wreck on account of the heavy
sea. We went over the stern by the ladder.
After hard fight with the sea, in an open
bost, and completely saturated with icy wa
fer. we were taken in tow by the smack
Electric Light, Capt. William Condor, and
landed at Port Clyde, where we were very
hospitably entertained by the family of Capt
Samuel Trussell. We watched the wreck
with glass until it disappeared Thursday al
ternoon at four o'clock. | have no theory
for the cause of the disaster. No man in the
world knows the course better than Capt.
Rogers, and he is in every way trustwarthy.
Cant. Ingraham has been in the Cambridge
since she was built, in 1867. He served first
as mate. but for the last 10 years has been
commanding officer. He has always been
popular. His prudence, skill and foresight
are admitted by all. While no blame can be
attached to him he yet has the sympathy Oh
all in the loss of his fine craft. This is his
frat disaster. Capt. 1ngraham speaks very
highly of the conduct of his officers Engln-
Ger Fox showed the utmost GOODNESS and
bravery, and when the pipes were breaking
the steam Kissing and bells ringing, he stood
:. h;s ost unril the steam was all let of ably
seconded by his assistants.
Bold Burglary.
RATu Feb l3.