Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-05
FIVE LIVES LOST,
Steamer Croatan Of CLYDE
Line Burned at Sea.
Five Perish---22 Survivors Rescued
By Schooner Alice E. Clarke.
Disaster Occurred. Nov. I, About is Miles
North Of Cape Charles.

Vineyard Haven, Mass. Nov. "A
disaster at sea. fortunately with small
loss of life, five persons in all, was
made known, today, by the landing
here of 22 persons who escaped from
the burning steamer Croatan of the
Clyde Line, bound from New York for
Wilmington, N. c., and Georgetown,
S. c.
The disaster occurred, Nov. 1. about
IL miles north of Cape Charles, and
about 206 miles from New York, from
which port the steamer sailed, Oct 81,
with general cargo and eight passen-
gers. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the
burned hulk of the big freighter sank
beneath the waves; but of the 81 per-
sons who We're on board her, % have
survived very tragic experience
The passengers were landed at this
port, this afternoon. by the schooner
Alice e. Clarke of Portland, Me-, which
had been in the vicinity of the Croatan
at the time she was burning. The
Croatan's list is as follows:
Drowned-Second Assistant Engineer
Jeremiah Mccarthy of Nova Scotia
who leaves widow in New York
Steward James Curtis Of Jersey City:
Mrs. James Curtis, wife of the stew
ard; Frank --. an oiler. Qast name
unknown); Jennie Willard (colored),
Wilmington, N. c.
The survivors-Capt. c. NJ. Hale;
First Officer B. C. Conklin, Second Off
Ger F. w. Corning, Chief Assistant En-
gineer Charles E. Bounce, Oiler W. Il
al II
Jordan, Sailors George Spanger, Ste
phen Duncan, James Burriss, John
Hanson, Harry Hanson, three Spanish
firemen, names unknown, Passengers
r. w. White, wife ad brother of Will
mington, N. c., N. Upperman of Ham
burg, Germany, Evelyna Steadman
(colored). Jennie Hamilton, (colofed),
Wilmington, N. C.
The story of the disaster is graphic
ally told by Capt. Hale and the other
officers of the unfortunate vessel us
follows:
The CrOatan was but 20 hours GU,
from New York on her way to Will
inington and Georgetown, going at 4
good rate of speed, with a smooth sea
ana calm weather, when at 8 p. NJ, 3
reported that the ship was on fire. a
general alarm was Immediately giver
and an effort made to lower the boats
but the flames spread with such rapid
ity that all efforts to reach them were
unavailing because of the flames. Ir
fact, in less than 10 minutes after the
fire was reported, the ship was en-
tirely enveloped in flames from stem Il
stern.
Shortly after the fire was discovered
an explosion took place in the cargo
which blew off the after matches. A
second explosion followed a few min
ntes later and the ship was then 3
mass of flames. 1t was at this time
that Capt. Hale, seeing that to remain
on the vessel meant sure death. gave
orders for all hands to jump overheard
and save themselves as best they
could The gallant captain was the
last man to leave the ship remaining
on Geek with his first officer until they
were completely enveloped in flames
End the vessel had commenced to sink
There seemed to be no panic or
board. and men and women, after
flashing on their life preservers calmly
leaped into the water, knowing thai
their chances of escape were much
more certain than if they remained OF
board the burning ship. Some of the
passengers had their faces scorcheC
and many had their clothing on fire
when they leaped into the sea- The
captain and first officer succeeded IL
securing yawl boat, which had beer
damaged in lowering, and by hare
work rescued eight persons from the
water.
The burning ship was sighted by The
four-masted schooner Alice r. Clarl
of Portland, Capt. Clark, Norfolk fol
Portland, which lay becalmed mile:
off, and her captain sent boat crew
to aid in the work of rescue The,
succeeded in saving II persons from
watery grave, many of whom ha(
been an hour or more in the water
and had become nearly exhausted
They We're taken on board the Clari
and given every possible attention
Capt. Hale, his officers, crew ant
passengers, all speak in the highes
praise of the treatment they received
and crew on board the Clark. Capt
at the hands of Capt. Clark, his wifi
Clark not only gave the shipwrecket
men and women food and clothing. pu
supplied them with money to TAKE
them to their homes.
The rescued persons are being caret
for here in the Seamen's Bethel, ant
at the homes of citizens and will pro
coed to New York
No explosives were known to bt
among the ships cargo, and the Origin
of the fire is mystery to her officer.
anu crew.