Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-17
ONLY so SAVED.
Over 100 Missing from the
Wrecked Steamer Mohegan.
More Bodies Recoyered--Cause Of the
Wreck Still Mystery.
Thrilling Stories Of Rescue and Escape -ly
Passengers and Crew.

steamer Mohegan, Capt. Griffiths, be-
longing to the Atlantic Transport Co..
which was wrecked, Friday evening,
In the vicinity of the Lizard, between
the Manacies and the Lowlands, is now
believed to have carried about 68 per-
sons of her passengers and crew to
their death.
The Mohegan was formerly the Cleo
patra. of the Wilson and Furness- Ley
land Line. She left London for New
York, Thursday, having on board, so
Tar as can be ascertained at present, so
passengers and a crew of Sc officers
and men. Thirty-three of the officers
and crew are known to have been
saved.
From the best evidence obtainable
at st. keverine, it appears that the
Mohegan foundered S minutes after she
struck the rocks. She was going at
full speed, struck twice, stopped and
rapidly settled into the water.
AS the captain and the executive off,
ers of the steamer went down with
her, it has been impossible, thus far,
to ascertain how she got out of her
course, as Falmouth light and the
coast We're visible. The general opin-
wi Ct pACSC llOWcVGT, lHaL the
machinery of the ship became disabled
during the heavy easterly gale which
was blowing, and that she became I'M
manageable.
When the steamer was seen to be in
distress, lifeboats put off from the
shore and every effort possible was
made to save the endangered people,
The coast at this point is extremely
dangerous and has been the scene of
numerous wrecks.
Among the incidents recited is the
escape of the Pembertons. Mr.. Penn
berton jumped into lifeboat. his wife
threw him their two children: then
she leaDed into the boat herself, and
thus the whole family was saved.
A coastguardsman, who was on
duty at Coveract says he noticed the
Mohegan was pursuing a dangerous
course.
William Moore, seaman Of the Mo-
hogan. belonging in London, was
among the men who succeeded in
reaching Port Houstock. He said the
vessel struck forward on the starboard
side of her bow, and sank head first.
her stern rising right up in the air.
Moore sprang overheard, and after
swimming for a considerable time sue
ceeded in reacing an empty lifeboat
belonging to the steamer. He got into
It and started to row for the shore.
Some time afterward he saw one of
his shipmates, a man named Hilson,
on raft. Hilson was exhausted, and
Moore dragged him into the lifeboat.
where he was so helpless that he could
not move hand or foot. The sea was
running heavily and the lifeboat was
nearly full of water, and after eecap-
ing two or three rocks she was finally
to pieces.
Moore and Hilson We're washed
ashore.
Futher advices from st. Keverin say
5he panic on the Mohegan was terrible.
and that the cries of despair We're
heard on shore.
One passenger cut away the falls Of
| life boat with a razor and thus saved
several lives.
Mrs. Grandin. entered a ships boat.
which was capsized. Mrs. Grandn
was jammed between the boat and q
ifeboat, on one of the latter's trips.
One of the lifeboat's crew, at great
peril, jumped on board the
steamers boat after the latter had
lighted, and pulled Mrs. Grandin from
Ter dangerous position. She was land
ID in a dying condition, however, and
Ill the efforts made to revive her were
When Miss Rondebush landed, later,
she anxiously inquired for her mother,
whose body was identified by the vicar
If st. Keverin from the description of
| ring furnished to him by the daugh-
ers
Up to midnight 81 bodies had been
recovered. Some were found miles
away in coves and it is expected that
more will be washed ashore, tomorrow.
Many persons undoubtedly were kill
I'd by being dashed on rough rocks,
Who would have escaped of cast ashore.
Some of the bodies are horribly
nangled. A good deal of jewelry and
money has been found.
AS all the navigating officers were
ost. it is doubtful whether any light
will ever be thrown on the causes OF
he disaster.
All the flags ashore and on the
boats in the bay are at half mast.
The description in the London Des-
,3tch of T. w. King, as "A newspa-