, 1886-08-01
A SCHOONER CAPSIzED
In a Terrific Squat Off Sandy
Hook.
Terrible Sufferiug s of the
Passengers.
An Exciting Boxing Match
in Brooklyn.
A Terrible Disaster.

New York. July 3l-ln a terrible gale
which swept over the bay Friday night, the
schooner Sarah Craig, which was bringing
a party Of sixteen ladies and gentlemen
from Atlantic City to this port, was cap
sized off Sandy Hook. Seven of the par
t. were drowned.
The schooner was hired by the party
for a pleasure trip to New York by sea,
stopping on the way at Cape May. The
party left Spruce street, Philadelphia, on
Wednesday morning In the schooner. The
vessel was just outside Sandy Hook
Friday evening, when the storm
broke. The captain took in
his foresail at once and furled
The ladies went below when the storm
began and were much frightened. The
captain %endeavored to beat up into the
bay. The schooner was working along
slowly with her mainsail and lib set.
About 6:3O y. IN. when about GOO yards
below Sandy Hook buoy outside, and
about the same distance from the beach.
II terrible squat struck the devoted vessel
and she was forced completely over on her
beam ends, throwing those on deck into
the water. The schooner filed very rapid
ly. but was kept afoat by her sails and
and the air imprisoned cabins. The pas
senger and crew in the water reached a
boat and chung desperately to the plauks.
The occupants Of the cabin were still
imprisoned. The ladies in heartrending
screams %piteously begged for help, but
their anguished friends we're helpless and
could do nothing to save them. One of
the young ladies reached up to the win
dow above water, and one of them caught
her hand, but it slipped, leaving one of
her rings in his hand. She fell back and
was not seen again. The others were in
a part where the air kept the water down.
Their agonizing cries continued for Il
while, and then all was still. Some per-
ished by suffocation, for their faces, when
found, were black, as from choking. The
Others held on to the sides of the cabin as
long as they could, and then let go to
drown.
A pilot in a skiff came out and saved the
other passengers and crew. Three tugs
came out to the wreck, but nothing could
be done to save the unfortunates in the
cabin. One OF the tugs tried to tow in
back to the government wharf at Sandy
Hook. The force of the storm caused a
high sea, and the tide was too strong to
do ZACH, but they persevered in the teeth
Of the storm. All night long they worked,
until 5 a. m, when they reached the
wharf. The work of raising her began.
While it was proceeding, the body of
Mrs. Stevens 1oatei out of the cabin and
was secured.
After the wrecked schooner was par
italy raised Capt. Gully began diving for
the bodies. He was three hours in the
water and recovered all the bodies but that
of Miss R%ettewand; that could not be
found. 1t is supposed that it has floated
under one Of the berths under water.
Capt Gully was thoroughly exhausted
with his heroic exertions. About noon
to-day the search was discontinued. The
bodies were lying on the deck of the tug,
covered with canvas. Coroner Nanwert,
of Long Branch, then took charge of the
bodies. and with an undertaken went to
Long Branch. An inquest was to be
held to night.
The grief of the saved passengers was
terrible. Stevens was almost heart
broken in the loss of his wife and two
daughters at once. None of the party
could speak of their terrible calamity with
out breaking down. The remains Of the
drowned ladies and Mr.. Clark will be sent
to Philadelphia tomorrow.
The names of the dead are: Mrs. Cora
E Askin, aged "a years; Mrs. T. Stevens.
aged 55 years; Miss Mamie Stevens, aged
q years; Emma Merritt, aged 81 years;
Chester Clark, aged q years; Miss Maud
Il. Rettewand. II years. The body of
Rebecca Merritt, aged % years, was not
recovered.