The Portland daily press., 1886-07-20
TWO STEAMERS ASHORE
On Naushon Island, In Vineyard
Sound.

BosToN, July 19-Steamer Gate City, Capt.
Hedge, of the Boston & Savannah Steam
ship Company, on her passage from Sayan-
nah to Boston, went ashore on the south side
of Naushon Island, in Vineyard Sound, at
715 last evening" in a thick fog. She now
lies in about 10 feet of water. The steamer
had been in the fog all day, and for four
hours had had her engines stopped. When
she struck she was going at half-speed, and
had a man heaving the lead. She struck just
as man called out HWe have no water" A
boat from the steamer at once put off in
search of help near Tarpaulin Cove, on the
same island and encountered steamer Will
liam o. Brown, which went to the Gate City
and took off 50 of the 80 passengers, and
leaving them at New Bedford, whence they
went to Boston.
The steamer struck twice, once on her port
bow and again about midships.. AS she-soon
settled her fires were eXtingulshed, and no
efforts could be made to get her off. She
lies in comparatively easy position. and 1t
is thought she will come off all right. she
was freighted with Watermel0nS. Inc pas
sengers who landed saved all their baggage.
They speak in high terms of the courage OF
Capt. Hedge and his officers. Everything
was done for the comfort of the passengers.
No blame is attached to those in charge OF
the steamer. The fog had been thick all
day, and when the steamer struck the pilot
could see but few feet ahead, although af-
ter striking the fog lifted and the land was
seen less than the steamers length ahead.
Steamer Monahansett, Capt. Smith, from
Cottage City, on arriving at WOOD H0ll
this morning, found the mate of the Gate
City there, with a boats crew. Capt. Smith
took them on board and steamed along the
Sound in the direction of the wrecked
steamer. On the way they passed Capt.
Hedge and another boats crew bound to
Woods Holl, but did not stop to PICK them
up. When the Monahansett got alongside
in number with their baggage, were trans
ferred and taken to New Bedford, where
they took the train for Boston. Capt. Smith
says the Gate City has five compartments,
and three of them are closed and d al tight;
The steamer Panther, of the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal and Iron Company. from
Boston to Philadelphia in ballast, also went
ashore on Naushon in the fog yesterday, and
lies some distance to the east OF the Gate
City. Steamers Hunt and Nellie, with a
wrecking pump, have gone from New Bed
ford to her assistance. 1t is thought she
will soon come off.
A later despatch says that the Panther
was pulled off this forenoon, and towed to
New Bedford, leaking badly
WooDs HoLL, Mass, July 19.-United
turned from the Gate City at O'Clock this
afternoon, where she had towed Capt. Davis
and his wrecking seow. The diver examined
the ships bottom, and reported her keel for
ward split and broken. One piece, six feet
in length, was bent up, the cardboard is start
ed, and holes made in the ships bottom. A
big boulder, which the diver says is higher
than his head, is directly under the ship, near
amdships, and has penetrated the ship s
bottom. The after compartment is hlled
with water, but it is believed to be tight, the
water having run in from the deck; deck; There itasr
and she draws but IS feet 1t is Capt. Tan
ner's opinion that the ship can be saved only
by the most prompt action, as her position is
a dangerous one. Should the sea remain
smooth until the steam pumps arrive she can
be saved. Four steam pumps and /, ample
Wrecking appliances are now on the way
from Boston, and will be on hand tomorrow
morning. The wind is southwest and blow
ing a moderate breeze this afternoon, with
an occasional thunder squall. 1t is expected
that $4,000 melons on board will have to be
thrown overheard.