The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-17
THE MOHEGAN DISASTER.

Cause OF TIE Catastrophe Romalns ths
Profoandsut Mystery.
LONDON, oct. 1G = The Atlantic
Transport Company issued the follow
Ing statement this evening regarding
the fate of the passengers and crew OF
the steamer MOhegau, which was wreck
ed last Friday evening, OF the Lizard,
between the Manacles and the low
lands:
"of the passengers eleven have been
saved, ten bodies have been recovered
and thlrty-three are missing.
'tOf the crew and cattlemen thirty
nine have been saved, fourteen bodies
have been recovered and forty-one are
missing"
Since this statement was issued, nine
other bodies have been picked up, In
cluding two that have been identlfie6 Is
those Of passengers
The reports OF the VARIOUS correspond
ents differ widely as to the rescues, re-
coVeries and losses, though none has
been able to obtain the exact number
OF those saved or Of the bodies recov-
cred.
The bodies Of the following passengers
have been recovered:
4. w. King, Edna King, Master King,
James Blackley, MisB II. N. Cowen, Dr.
FaNows, b. Franklin Fuller, Mrs. 4 NJ.
Luke, George Seymour Miss L. II. War
reneh
The latest advlces from falmouth this
evening say that thlrty-eiGht bodies
have been Identified, mostly the bodies
Of sailors,
-Four are as yet unidentified, inrlud-
ing those OF two elderly ladies'. One ap-
pears to be a German. She wore
watch and q wedding, ring, both en-
graYed, "1S71." The other wore q silver
brooch, with the letter ID" In pearls.
This is probably the body OF Mrs. Chas.
Duncan.
Tugs have been cruising in the vicln-
ity all day, despite the very rough
weather, in the hope OF picking up other
bodies.
The cause Of the disaster remains the
profoundest mystery. Nobody attempts
to explain how the Mohegan got so far
north OF her true course, SIX or seven
miles. There was no fog at the time,
while the wind on her port quarter was
not sufficient to prevent her answering
the helm 1t has been suggested that
her compass was faulty; but daylight
lasted long after Bddystone Hight was
passed.
The sailors say the fact that the LIZ
ard light was not visible should have
served to give the alarm.
The maStB OF the Mohegan, which are
above water, chow that her stern is
landward, causing a theory that the
navigating ofiicer, on discovering that
he was in the bay. suddenly turned sea-
ward. Two engineers who were saved,
however, declare that they never slack
ened speed Remarkable stories Of res
cues continue.
Robert Barrow, seaman, performed
the feat OF swimming. unaided, through
the rougheSt water to Coverack Point,
distance OF two and one-half mileR He
climbed up the ragged cliff, where a
searching party found him early the
next morning, completely exhausted. A.
C. Ia Smith, Of Oregon, a passenger,
surrendered to a woman wreckage that
was supporting him, and swan ashore,
unnided. The woman was saved. Her
name is reported Us Miss Webb. but no
such name appears In the company's
list.
The crew, in a chivalrous effort to
save the women, made the mistake Of
unQeFHdun4uB luo UOhtSs 4uEFe were
only four sailors in one boat, which cap
sized as soon as twas launched. MessrS.
Smith and Bloomingdale say that Cap
tain Griftlths had appeared sick all day.
Up to midnight ffty-one 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
ed by being dashed on the rough rocks,
who would have escaped II cast ashore
on an ordinary coast. Some OF the bod
les are horribly mangied. A good deal
Of jewelry and money has been found.
AS all the navigating officers were
lost. It is doubtful whether light will
ever be thrown on the causes OF the
disaster.
All the flags ashore and on che boats
In the bay are at half mast