The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-22
PARTICULARS OF the DISASTER.
How the Big Tug Struck and the
Crew Were Rescued.

BOSTON, Jan. 20.-The tug II. f. Morse,
wrecked on Harding's Ledge. Is owned by
the Morse Transportation Company of Bath,
Me-, and was 1s5 feet long. 50 feet beam and
23a feet in depth, and was a powerful boat In
every way. The Morse company is repre-
sented In this city by Mr.. j. T. Morse, with
an Office on State street. Word Of the wreck
was brought to the office early this forenoon
and Mr. Morse at once started down the har-
Dor with the company's tug Knickerbocker.
which had just got safely into port. Hard
ing's was reached just before noon. in time
to see the last of the men being taken from
the Morse by the life-saying crews. The sea
was running very high and the transfer was
made by the men tying a lifeline round
their waists and jumping into the sea, to be
then hauled aboard the lifeboats. The Morse
had crew of is men and all but one of them
was saved in this way. ~
The Morse was bound for Portland from
Vineyard Haven with two barges, the John
Bunyan and the Josephine, in tow, and went
ashore about o'clock this morning In
attempt was made to drive the tug over the
ledge, but It only served to fix her more
nrmiy, and the crew were obliged to take
to the rigging, where they remained until
rescued.
The barges in tow of the Morse Jared even
worse than than the tug, being older vessels.
The Bunyan struck the ledge and almost i'm
medlately her stern was dashed in and the
vessel broke In two lengthwise and went to
pieces. Capt Lund was in charge with three
men for crew, and by their aid life raft
was launched, to which all clung. One by
one. however, the men were washed away
until only the captain was left. and he drift
ea ABOUT until nearly noon, when he was
nlckpd nv Pilnf Raaf nd
to this city.
The Josephine drove clear over the ledge,
and brought up on the sea wall at Point AL
ierton. She was commanded by Capt. John
crew OF three men. but one of whom is
known to be saved, the captain being lost.
Thls makes seven lives lost from the Morse
and her tow OF barges. and 20 saved.
Capt. Frank u. Hopkins. pilot Of the H.
others of the crew are at the Bay State
House, wearing the clothing in which they
had been rescued from the tug, but which
had been somewhat dried.
Capt. Hopkins and Mr.. Donnell told the
following story as to the wreck:
The IL. +. Morse was going from the Vine
yard to Portland with the barges John
Bunyan and Josephine in tow, taken at the
handkerchief Lightship from the tug
knickerbocker. The wind came round to
the northeast soon after leaving the light.
and the tug made for Boston Harbor for a
shelter. After leaving Highland Light the
wind increased to hurricane, and at 2 a. m.
the Morse and the barges went ashore on
Harding's Ledge.
Donnell was oiling at the time, and look
Ing at the clock saw that 1t was 2.1O From
the sound he judged that the Morse struck
amidships.. The water began coming in at
once, and the pumps were immediately start
ed, but before they were fairly at work the
engine room was flooded. The men then
had to get right out, and rushed on deck.
The Bunyan broke up about IL O'Clock, and
the crew drifted by In the wreckage. The
Morse tried to launch boat, but 1t was cap
sized. and 1t was then that Herman, the
Norwegian, was lost.