Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-01
Number Of Lost VIII Reach 120-Body
Of Hon. E. Dudley Freeman Recovered.
Thought that Steamer Foundered at Sea-Sad
Scenes on Cape Cod

passes and letters was what led to his
sent word of the recovery of the body
to his relatives. together with the
passes for their Identification.
The body of the man at Taylor's un-
dertaking rooms, who is supposed to be
William Mosher of Gorham, Me-, was
attired in a black suit, black overcoat
and tan shoes. A gold open-face watch
of foreign make with the back screwed
on was found in the pockets as we'll as
money and two tickets issued by the
Columbia theatre of Boston. for last
Friday night. The man was about 50
years old, of fair complexion and had
brown hair and eyes. A silk llandker-
chief with letter M on one corner
was found on the body. There was a
diamond stud in the shirt front and
plain gold ring on the middle finger Of
the left hand. The watch found on
this body had stopped at 9.20 o'clock.
Among the Portland men who are at
Orleans and vicinity hoping to identify
relatives are George Mosely, who had
sister on the steamer, and Fred Hoop
er, son of Oren Hooper. Portland
business man. Fred Hooper's father
and his 13-year old brother. Carl, were
also passengers. Another brother. True
Hooper. who was reported to have SAIL
ed on the Portland, did not leave on
her.
The United States revenue cutter
Woodbury., which makes Portland her
headquarters, left that city, last Mon
day, to search for the Portland. She
put into Gloucester to see of the miss
ing vessel had found shelter. there and
afterwards cruisad about Massachusetts,
Bay, arriving at this port. yesterday.
She saw nothing of the wreckage of
the steamer, however. Last night. she
started for Portland but as heavy
gale threatened, put back and remain
ed all night.
The body believed to be that of John
Walton, second engineer of the Port
land, came ashore off Nauset, yester-
day. The body was that of a man
feet. 10 inches in height and about 30
dark. 1t had on a vest, REFER and
overalls and the hands were oily. The
face was clean shaven. The body had
on russell shoes.
The big wheel of the Portland with
steering gear attached was found on
the shore off Orleans, Monday. The
wheel had about 20 fathoms of wire at
tached, part of the electrical steering
equipment. Part of the flooring near
the base of the wheel in the pilot house
was attached, and rope fastened to
the wheel itself indicated that it had
been dashed.
Among the articles of personal bag
gage washed ashore, was q trunk
marked IL. c. Chase, 129 Washington
Street, Boston," The trunk contained
samples and was sent to the steamer in
Boston by Salesman Pring, who did
not leave on the boat himself. but went
to Portland by rail. In the trunks
found were, in one, letters addressed to
Mrs. A. F. Hersom, 1873 High street.
Portland. and in another a Bible with
the name of Miss Madge Ingraham, 49,
Middle street, Portland, on the fly leaf.
Among the wreckage that is strewn
along the beach are quite a number Of
stateroom doors. Most of them have
the enamel numbers on, and on many
of the doors the lock bolts projected.
that some of the staterooms
had been locked at the time of the
disaster. Wreckage of almost. every
description is strewn for miles along
the outside beach, but most all the
articles of any value were taken by the
watchers and mementO seekers.
O. E. Williams, Boston agent Of the
portland Line, in an interview on the
loss of the steamer said:
Il am sure that the Portland found
cred at sea. There will not be a single
survivor, l am sure. l am positive all
on board have been drowned Whore or
now the wreck occurred l do not think
will ever be known.
MY opinion is that she was first
caugnt IN the heavy seas near
Thatcher's island. and that she went
down somewhere between there and
the cape. Her guards and paddle BOXES
must have been smashed by the heavy
seas, and although she was a staunch
boat. as her class goes, she could not
stand the wrenching and pounding of
the waves Everything above the main
deck-all the deck houses-I believe
was torn away.
with the steamer bare above tho
deck and the hull smashed and LEAH
ing It seems to me that with the weight
OF her machinery she must have
plunged down. carrying every souI On
board with her.
The wreckage that has como a.ho
OF splinters of the light wood :
work OF the deck houses. This shows
that the Portland did not go TO niece.
on any rocks, but when her deck
houses We're swept away by the saas
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