The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-18
fHe SIGHT POSITIVELY HEART-RENDING
scsne, Witnessed by the centl-
7 pede's Officers.
The Saw Nearly 80 Vessels Driven
Ashore In 4s Hours.
FIFTY Wrecks Counted Along the
Coast on the Passage.

LYNN, Mass, September 17.-The steamer
Centipede, Pennsylvania & Reading Rail-
road Company, Capt. Hanson, from Phila-
delphia for Lynn, with coal. arrived TINS
morning.
At G a. m, Sunday. September 8, she an
chored inshe the Breakwater. The wind
was then blowing a northeast gale, and
steadily increased. Sunday night the sec
ond anchor was let go, but early Monday
morning, under the force Of the gale, she
| begen to drag both anchors. Capt. Hansen
had the engines started and drove her for-
ward for 48 hours, only succeeding in keel-
| ing her In about the same position, the gale
being sufficiently violent to prevent her en-
/ gines making any headway. The gale con-
| tinued during the week, but with less vi0-
/ ience, the CeLtipede being compelled TO re-
| main inside the breakwater till the l4th.
II Capt. Hanson states that while lying here.
1 the sight Of the wreckage along the Break
Fwater was positively heart-rending.
II A fine vessel would drift upon the beach,
going all to pieces; her crew seeking the
rigging, would be either washed on or else
drift about and finally cast ashore. One
magnificent clipper ship, owned by New
York parties and valued at 100000, was
| driven ashore and entirely destroyed. By
| the force Of the gale the bell tower on the
Delaware Breakwater light was blown away
| and the lightkeeper was In constant danger
| OF death. From Cape Henlopen to Slaugh-
l ter beach, eight miles along the coast, the
| wrecks were thick.
One full rigged ship. four barks, three
barges and one brig, and about 40 schooners
| were driven ashore within As hours. In all
| from 35 to 40 lives were lost and had 1t been
| winter surely hundreds would have per-
| ished. The life saving station was on duty
steadily for two days and saved many lives,
doing fine work. Captain Hanson says that
| 1t was the worst experience he ever has had
| in all his sea-going life.
The Centipede stood the bad weather
1 bravely, and came out with the loss OF her
| mainsail and malnstay, which were carried
/ away Tuesday. On the passage to Lynn,
/ along the coast, nearly 30 wrecks were count
ed by the crew, all from the gale OF the past
Il week.
schooners In Collision.
VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass, September IT.
| This morning about o'clock as schooner
Zulette Kenyon Of and from New York for
| Danversport with cargo Of coal was OIL Cros.
| Rip, she collided with an unknown schooner
and sank in three minutes.
The mate was at the wheel at the time oil
the collision. He saw the schooner ap
preaching and endeavored to pass 70 wind
ward. The unknown boat suddenly lutfea
across the Kenyon's bow, the Kenyon strik
ing her abaft the main rigging, filling an.
l sinking at once. Capt. A. N. AmeS and nj
wife were awakened by the shock and bare
lly had time to get TO the deck and In th'
Soat. The crew Of five had lowered 1t wheI
tie schooner sank, carrying eyerythint
with her. The other schooner was badly
| Injured and could render no assistance, but
being lumber laden, drifted away, ant
anciored before her name coald be obtained