The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-15
NINETEEN SAILORS PERISH.
The StrathairEy Wrecked on
the North. Carolina Coast.
One by One the Men Are Swept
From; the Rigging.

The Earn Limo. steamship Strathairly,
bound from st. Jago. de Cuba to Baltimore
with cargo Of iron ore, is total wreck,
one and one, quarter miles south Of Chicami-
comico Life-Saving' Station. N. c., about
thirty miles withinthe fatal Hatteras, and of
perished, having been swept from
which dashed over the powerless
ship with furious force. The vessel is rap
idly going to pieces, and her cavgo is a total
loss. Among, those lost are every officer
with the exception Of the second mate. who
was saved With six others, by the life saving
crew.
The Strathairly was driven ashore at 4:40
o'clock in inthemorning, during heavy weather
and amurky sky. Those saved are at the
Chicamicomico Life Saving Station, where
they are we'll cared for.
The details Of the wrecked vessel are ex-
ceedinelY meagre From thelatest informa,
ton obtained the ship was discovered
tossing about like O reed, but high upon
the beach below Chicamicomico. A crew
from the Life-Saving Station at once
went out to her assistance, and with
much trouble and danger succeeded in
rescuing Of the crew. Next day six Others
were rescued, while the rest Of the crew,
nineteen in all, persisted. Lieutenant Fail
ing, Of the Llfe-Saving Station at Elizabeth
City, N. c., was at the life-saving station
when the wreck was discovered, and aided
in the rescue.
1t is difficult to imagine more desolate
coast than that upon which the unfortunate
steamship Strathairly was wrecked. For
100 miles south from Cape Henry there e1-
4, ,Ir;r of from tha sea
and separated from the mainland by many
miles OF broad salt sounds. Sometimes this
strip broadens toa width Of few miles, and
then shrinks to a mere thread Of gray sand.
The inhabitants arc few In number,
scattered in solitary dwellings, and without
means Of communication with the world,
save the occasional oyster sloop or fishing
boat that at irregular intervals cruises along
the sounds. For this reason 1t was impos,
sible to get full details Of the disaster. The
living OF tho inhabitants is derived from tte
sea, and the strip is nearly barren Of vege'
tatiop.
The elife-saving service is Of the best in the
country but owing to the character OF the
coast the most useful of their appliances the
lifeline thrown from gun, can rarely be
used, and the crews are compelled to- rely
largely upon their surf-boats, which they
manage to launch and land with marvellous
dexterity i'll the fierce surf which constantly
rolls upon the beaches and bars.
The Strathairly was commanded by Will
lam Wynn, an Englishman. The only mem
ber of the crew known was Alfred Il. Jack
son, the cook, aged thirty-nine. The vesSe
was built at Middleboro, England, July
1876 by Royster, Dixon & Co. At the TIM
of her loss she was owned by J. Mcintyre
The ships tonnage was 1888 and her measure
ment 2S2 feet six inches in length, thirty-fou
feet eight inches in breadth, and twenty
three feet eight inches in depth: ene sane, na
from Baltimore to Havana on Feoruary -
and arrived at the latter place March s, and a
st. Jago on March 16.