Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-06
BLAME THE COMPANY
For Not Sooner Taking Steps to Locale the
P0rtland's Hull.

Boston, Dec. DIR. Joshua A. Lewis of
the state board of charity, returned from
Cape Cod, today. He has been at the
land since last Wednesday. acting in co
operation with the state and local oiii-
cials DIR. Lewis stated, today. that IN
lision and never struck on Cape Cod. He
beheveS that the steamer was over
whelmed by the terrific seas that pre-
vailed during the hurricane, and that
after her top hamper had been washed
away she filled and sank. He places the
spot where the sidewheeler lies as about
midway between Race Point and High
Head station, off the northern end vi
Peaked Hill bars.
1T is my opinion" he said, that every
soul on board must have known Tor some
time that they were going to destruction.
The life preservers and the fact that most
of the bodies Were clothed IS ample evil
dence of this. Undoubtedly many bod es
went down with the hui OF the vessel and
they will be recovered II the company
does what the majority of people along
Cape Cod believe they should do
He does not doubt but that many bodies
have been washed in shore and washed
out again in the undertow that might
have been recovered had the company
hired a number of men sufficient to thor
oughly patrol every part of the coast DR..
Lewis believes that great number OF
bodies are now being held by the sand
when We're washed ashore undiscovered
by the coast patrol, and the terrific break
erS soon covered them or forced them UNI
der the sand.
DR.. Lewis said that there was almost
universal criticism on Cape Cod of the
Steamship Co. for the failure to take i'm
mediate action towards locating the hull.
NJ. l.. Adams, chairman of the select
men of ProVinCetown. who was with Dr.
Lewis at the State House, today. stated
that there was no doubt in his mind That
there are many bodies imprisoned in the
wreck. He thinks it entirely practicable
to send divers down to the wreck and
thinks, with many others along the Cape,
that steps should have been taken days
ago by the coc.pany to have this done.
If bodies We're IN the vessel they could be
recovered by the divers, as we'll as yalu
ables, records and other property.
DR.. Lewis and Selectman Adams agree
that it is the general opinion among the
residents and old mariners on Cape Cod
that Captain Blanchard of the steamer
Portland never left port without orders.
or, at least. against direct orders from
the agent of the company. 1t is not the
custom of captains of vessels to 60
against the orders of their superiors, es
pecialy in case of this kind, and for
that reason, they believe that Capt.
Blanchard. a dead man, has been unjust
ly condemned for the loss of his ship.
DR.. Lewis brought with him from Or
leans a section of one of the grass life
partially equipped. This piece was taken
from life preserver which came ashore
from the wreck, and at the time it was
taken from the water weighed about IS
pounds. This section was nothing more
than a bundle of reeds. After having been
for five days in a Steam-heated room and
some time in Dr. Lewis valise. he was
of it by mere pressure of the thumb
and foretinger,