The Portland daily press., 1898-07-05
Many Cottages and Theatre
Blown Down at Hampton.
Over Hundred Wounded and
Ten Are Already Dead.


sixty passengers on board, while half
way over from Salem Willow to her
wharf here, a distance of about two
miles, was struck by sudden squall
about six o'clock tonight and capsized.
VI those on board a large majority are
beloved to have been rescued by boats
from both the Salem and Beverly shores.
but no less than seven bodies have been
recovered at dark and as it is known
that many. rushed into the cabin before
the squalI, it is thought that twice as
many are still confined there. AS one or
two of those taken ashore are in a criti-
cal condition, 1t appears likely that the
list Of dead may reach score. The fol-
lowing bodies were recovered from the
wreck:
Mrs. Catherine D. Web.r, % years old
of Beverly.
Miss Grace Smell, 10 years old, daugh-
ter of Arthur Smell of Beverly.
Three year old son of Joseph Kennedy
of Beverly.
Miss Myra B. Fegan.
Miss Lille j. Conant of Danvers and
her five year old brother, Herbert Co.
nant.
Late this evening the body of Miss Nell
lie CROSBY was recovered.
Of those rescued, Miss Bertha Loveitt
of North Beverly, Hazel Hersey, one year
old of Beverly; Miss Emerson of Danvers
and an unknown two year old girl
are still in a critical condition. Otto
Carris, the fireman, was also badly
scalded.
The Surf City Is small screw steame r
with two decks, and has been making
short trips in Massachusetts bay for q
number OF years. This year he was put
on the Baker Island line, making half
dozen trips day from this city,
stopping on each one at Salem Willows.
She came up from Bakers island about
five O'Clock, and left Salem Willows at
sos. Capital Daily her commander,
saw signs of squall as the boat left the
Willows, but thought he could make his
wharf here before 1t str uck. He had Just
reached the Beverly bar when the storm
struck the boat and at the same time
lightning bolt struck the beacon at the
end of the bar
Amid the terrific din of the thunder
which followed the lightning flash and
the fearful whirlwind, the little steamer
down. all go suddenly that her comman.
der had the greatest difficulty in getting
out of the pilot house. The boat sank
in about fifteen feet Of water, her hurri- |
cane deck being loosened In the angle |
while all those on board were either
thrown into the wind beaten waters of
the bay or struggled desperately to get |
from under the decks or out of the cabin. |
The steamer was seen to go down by |
persons on both sides of the bay and |
boats Immediately put out to the wreck, |
reaching her in few minutes. Those |
in the water were quickly hauled aboard, |
some being taken to the Beverly shore, |
while Others were taken to Salem. This |
scattering Of the survivors led to the |
greatest confusion, and for long time |
tonight it was difficult from the conflict |
ing stories to ascertain just how many |
persons were on the boat.
Notwithstanding the fact that the |
rescuers worked hard and well, there |
were those to whom aid came too late. |
With the living were drawn into the |
boats number of dead including the |
bodies of two children.
Some OF the bodies were taken to the |
undertaking rooms at Salem and others |
to Beverly. The young yachtsmen of |
the Jubilee Yacht club saved moro than
half and every boat at the club was util- |
lied. Others from the wharves worked |
fully as hard and every effort was made |
to get the mass of struggling humanity |
to dry land.
The scene while the work of rescue was |
going on, was fearful one, as over half |
of those on board vera women and their
screams could be heard for miles, MANY |
chung to the top of the hurricane deck
and supported themselves until the boats
came, while others grasped the fagstaffs |
and even the smoke stack. The suspense
before the first boat came was awful, for
though the time was but few minutes |
it seemed eternity to those in the
seething waters.
Darkness closed down on the Inflated |
boat. with the tide rising rapidly above
her smokestack, and it is hardly probate
THAT any more bodies will be found be-
fore tomorr ow morning.
Nearly all those on board are believed |
to have come from this side of the b ay,
and tonight there was a wild scene about |
the city. looking for the missing. In
most cases they turned up, but at late
hour dozen or more kwere unaccounted
for.
The disaster was the most terrible that
ever occurred in Salem bay.