The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-29
A DAY OF ILL LUCK.
One Steamer Burned and Another
Sunk in Boston HarbOr.
PEOPLE LEAFED FROM THE
BLAZING WATERFOWL.

idlhcS OdrTeO t0U way W tAo Asodtb-
Only One Was Killed, However-Met-
ropolitan Steamer Whitney Run Down
by the Warren Liner Ottoman-A Mis-
understanding About the Signals-No
Lives Were Lost and the SunIken
Steamer May Be Saved.
BosToN, September 2S.-This has been
an unlucky day for shipping in this vi
cinity. One steamer has been destroyed
by fire and another is at the bottom, with
two gaping holes in her sides.
The steamship Watertown was burned
in..the harbor, off Point EShirley, this af-
ternoon. All of her passengers and
crew were rescued and carried ashore,
but two were injured, one fatally. The
Watertown, which is the regular packet
between Lynn and Boston, left her
wharf in this city today on her regular
noon trip. The buoy on the southern
end of Apple Island flats had just been
passed when Captain Wiley, who was in
the pilot house, was alarmed by the
shout of the engineer from the hurri-
cane deck behind him that the steamer
was on fire Looking out, the captain saw
huge volume of flame and smoke pour
ing up amidships, and he Immediately
headed the steamer for the nearest shore.
The boats which hung on the davits on
each side of the smokestack were in the
midst of the fire, and it was impossible
to launch them. So those of the passen-
gers and crew who could procure them
Immediately put on life preservers.
Captain Wiley steered for the old pier
on Point Shirley. The fishermen on
shore saw the blazing vessel coming and
before the Watertown grounded near the
wharf some of her people had been
forced by the fierce heat to
Cast Themselves Overheard
and the gallant fishermen were not mo-
ment too soon. Steward Carter and his
wife were among those who thus left the
vessel. They somehow became separat-
ed. Mrs. Carter jumped over too near
the stern, and it is supposed that she
was drawn into the vortex of the propel
Ter. She was taken out. of the water
fearfully injured and carried to one of
the neighboring cottages, where it was
found that her wounds were fatal. Be
sides the injuries which she sustained
from the blades of the propeller, she
swallowed a great deal of water She
died soon after. Besides her husband,
two young daughters survive her. Her
husband was burned about the neck and
one wrist. The other members of the
ships company received no injury The
steamer is a total loss.
t+.o, r of 41,n ATa+r
politan Steamship line was run into and
abreast of Gas Buoy No 8, Boston har-
Dor, by the Warren line steamer Otto
man. The Whitney now lies under
water at Bird Island flats with two holes
in her starboard side. Neither vessel
carried any passengers. The Whitney's
crew of 81 men were safely
Removed From the Sinking Steamer
by tugs. The Whitney is new boat Of
about 1000 tons and left her dock at 6. 10
for New York, carrying miscellaneous
cargo, consisting largely of granite. Ac-
cording to the statements of the Whit
ney's men, they hardly got the vessel
Strengthened out on her course when they
sighted the Ottoman, which had been
held some hours at quarantine
and was ON her way to the city.
Captain Hallett blew two whis-
ties, indicating that he was
to pass to starboard. He was answered
with one whistle from the Ottoman.
The Whitney thereupon sounded two
more whistles. According to those on
the Whitney, she was again answered
with one whistle. Captain Hallett at
+bo+ n x,yoc ir1ax r
able, and ordered the engines reversed,
which was done, and his vessel was
moving backward at considerable speed
when the Ottoman crashed into her
starboard side abaft the fore rigging,
staving two holes in the side. The Otto
man has hole in her bow and several
plates are started but she proceeded up
the harbor and lies anchored in the
stream. Her pilot claims he heard but
one whistle from the Whitney. 1t is be-
lieved the Whitney will be saved.