The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1899-07-14
A Steamer on the Rocks

1dlilaA, N. D., July ll.-Ine steamer
Portia, which struck on Big Fish shoa
fifteen miles east of Halifax, last night
filled and sank during the night.
The only victim of the wreck was q
12-year.old Assyrian lad, known by
the name of Basha, who was travelling
second class from New York to St
Johns, N. F., where his mother lives
The others on board the steamer, in
Guiding seventy passengers and crew
of thirty.four officers and men. who
were landed safely at Sambro island,
were cared for there during the night
and will be brought here today.
The accident, which happened about
o'clock in the evening and which is
believed to have been due to a dense
fog which prevailed at the time, prob.
ably ends the career of the Portia,
which was an iron vessel of 1872 tons
fifteen years old.
The locality in which she struck is
very dangerous and even before she
went down it was apparent that she
was badly damaged. 1t is considered
probable, however, that attempts will
be made to reach parts of her cargo
and the baggage of her passengers.
The accounts OF the wreck which
reached here last evening indicated
that the passengers and crew escaped
from the ship with comparative ease,
but later reports shows that the work
was not accomplished without con-
siderable difficulty.
The steamer had mounted the rocks
with shock that was felt in every part
of her hull and all on board knew i'm
mediately what had happened. The
next moment, the heavy southwest
swell lifted the steamer and forced her
forward. A hurried inspection show.
ed Captain Farrell that his ship had
been broken and was filling, and also
that she was in danger Of being forced
across the shoal and thrown into deep
water bevond. He ordered the boats
to be made ready at once. This was
done and the passengers, including
about thirty women, filled them with
out confusion, although the dangerous
swell added peril to the proceeding.
AS the passengers took their places it
was discovered that the Assyrian lad
was missing. A hasty search of the
vessel was made but the boy could not
be found. When last seen he was
Seasick and it is thought he had craw-
led into, some obscure corner to lie
down and thus escaped observation
when the searchers tried to find him.
The shipwrecked men and women
all We're landed on Sambro island,
which was hardly two miles from the
place where the steamer lay. They
were cared for there during the night,
although the accommodations were
meagre. The inhabitants of the island
gave up their homes, ,and their pro-
visions which were scanty.
The steamers A. c. Whitney and
Boyer were dispatched from here as
soon as possible after the news of the
accident reached here, bearing food for
those at Sambro. The arrival of the
steamers early today brought great,
relief to the shipwrecked men and
women, as we'll as to those who live on
the island. AT day break those who
had come on the Portia were taken
on board the two steamers from Hall
fax and they reached here this morn
ing.
None of the passengers saved their
baggage and number reported that
their money and jewels had been lost
Captain Farrell, who left the Portia
last night to look after the safe land
ing of the passengers, returned to the
scene a few hours later on Sambro
lobster steamer. 1t found that the
Portia had been carried entirely over
he shoal and sunk