New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-26
NINETEEN SAILORS PERISH.
ONLY SEVEN OF THE CREW OF THE
STRATIIAIRLY SAVED
WRECKED on THE LONELY AND DEsoLATE
COAST OF NORTH CARoLINA-MEAGRE
DETAILS OF TIE DISASTER.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNEI
Norfolk Va, March 2j.-The Earn Line steam
ship Strathairly, bound from st. Jago de Cuba to
Baltimore, with cargo of iron ORE is total
wreck one and one-quarter miles south OF
Chicamicomico Lifc-Saving Station, " C.. about
thirty miles this side Of the fatal Hatteras, and
of the crew Of twentysi nineteen have perished,
having been swept from the vessel into the
sccthing waters which dashed over the powerless
ship with furious force The vessel is rapidly
going to pieces and her cargo is total loss.
Among those lost are every officer with the en-
cepton Of the second mate. who was saved, with
six Others, by the lfe-savng crew.
The Stratharly was driven ashore at 4 40
o'clock on Tuesday morning. during heavy weather
and a murky sky Those saved at the
Chcamcomco life-saving station. where they
are well cared for.
The details Of the wrecked vessel tonight are
exceedingly mcagrc. From the latest information
obtained the ship was discovered tossing about
like a reed, but high upon the beach below
ChcamicOmco. A crew from the life-saving
station at once went out to her assistance. and
with much trouble and danger succeeded in
rcscuing one Of the crew last night To-day SIX
others were rescued. while the rest Of the crew,
nineteen in all. pcrshed. Lieutenant Failing, OF
the life-saving station at Elizabeth City, y. g.,
was at the lifc-saving station when the wreck
was discovered. and aided in the rescue
1t is difficult to imagine a more desolate coast
than that upon which the unfortunate steamship
Strathairly was wrecked For 100 miles south
from Cape Henry there extends strip of sand
cast I'D from the sea and separated from the
mainland by many miles Of broad salt sounds.
Sometimes this strip broadens to width of few
miles, and then shrnks to n mere thread OF
gray sand The inhabitants are few in number,
scattered in solitary dwellings, and without means
Of communication with the world save the
occasional oyster soop or fishing boat that at
irregular intervals cruises along the SOUNDS for
this reason it is impossible 10 get full details
Of the disaster yet. The living Of the inhabitants
is derived from the sea, and the strip is nearly
barren Of vegetation. On the seaside long sand
bars run out. and reefs abound that the vessel
wrecked upon this coast is sure to strike at
distance from the shore and be speedily torn to
pieces by the tremendous lIatteras surGes
that have made the vicinity the dread
Of navicators for n century and have strewn the
white beaches with the timbcrs of numbcress
vessels and with the dead bodies OF countless
sailors
The lifc-savng service Is Of the best in the
country but owing TO tho character of the coast
the most useful of their appliances. the life
line thrown from a gun, can rarely he used, and
the crews are compelled 10 rely largely upon their
surf-boats. which they manage TO launch and land
with marvellous deXtcrity in the fierce surf which
constantly rolls upon the beaches and bars.
The Strathairy was commanded by Will
lam Wynn. an Englishmau. The only member Of
the crew known here was Alfred T. Jackson, the
cook aged thirty nine. The vessel was built at
Middeboro, England. July, 1919, by Royster,
Dixon * Co. At the time Of her loss she was
owned by J. Mcintyre The ships tonnage was
.236. and her measurement 2s2 feet inches in
length 3i feet inches in BREADTH and % feet
inches in depth She sailed from Baltimore
10 Havana on February -, and arrived at the
latter place March ;. and AT 81. .Jago March l6
j. f. Foord. of Baltimore, The agent of the
Earn Line at Baltimore, has ordered every com
fort for the survivors.