Morning journal and courier., 1886-07-20
THE STRANDED GATE CITY.
All the Cargo Except the Melon

All the Cargo Except the Melons Likely to Prove a Total Loss. NEW BEDFORD. July 19.-It is impossible to say yet what is the extent of the damages sustained by the cargo of the Gate City which went ashore on Naushon Island Sun day night. With the exception of the melons it is likely to prove total loss. Salt water will not spoil the melons for some time and being buoyant they will float out as soon as the hatches are removed and thus can be easily saved. The other merchandise, con- sisting of cotton and general mixed stuff, is believed to be as usual insured, especially as at this season marine insurance rates are low. It is believed the vessel, can be saved. The signal service states that no rough wealth CT may be expected before Wednesday, by which time the vessel it is hoped will be se- cured from any further damage. There is a storm on the gulf which is travelling north east and will likely cause heavy seas along the entire Atlantic coast If it travels at the accustomed rates it's effect will not be felt here before forty-eight hours. At 10 o'clock tonight the tug G. w. Hunt, which left here this morning with party of newspaper correspondents for Naushon Is- land, returned. The steamer still lies in her former position, with three of her five com partments filled with water. No attempt has been made to get her off as little can be done before the arrival of steaE pumps and divers. The cargo, which consists principally of fruit, vegetables, hides and cotton will probably prove total loss, as most of it is already greatly in jured by the sea water. The agents, Messrs. Allen and Whitney, state that the cargo is insured for oh t1xv i,,N V1rf- Opinions differ as to whether the vessel can be saved or not. The captain and engineer of the Hunt, who are experienced in such matters, claim that she cannot be drawn off the rocks, as she lies stranded high and dry.
 BOSTON, July 16.-An the officers and crew of the Gate City remained on board when the passengers were taken off by the tug with the exception of the baggagemaster, who accompanied the passengers. At the company's office he made this statement: ''There is not much that can tell you about the affair. We simply ran aground during dense fog and that is all there was of it. This happened should say about 715 Sun day night. The shock to tie boat was not great and the passengers were cool through out the five hours they had to wait before the towboat Browne picked us up and carried us to New Bedford. They amused themselves in the best way they could conversing, play ing the piano, etc. There were 6fty-two passengers in all, most of whom went to New Bedford. Some twelve or fifteen did not like to trust themselves in the towboat and remained on the Gate City. There was at no time any danger. After the steamer ran aground she was as solid any building in Boston. The principal cargo carried by the vessel was ,:atermelons, of which there were some fifty thousand on board. There were, however, in addition, hides, timber, etc.,
 The scene of the wreck is five or six miles northeast of Devils Bridge where the City of Columbus met her fate. The occurrence re- calls reports to the effect that local mag netic influence sometimes deranges com passes in this part of the Vineyard sound. Any influence which defected the compass of the City of Columbus which was going southwest so as to carry her upon Devils Bridge would have caused the Gate City bound northeast to go ashore where she did.