Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-07-12
Wrecked Steamer Portia at the
Bottom of the Sea.
MONEY AND VALUADLES LOST
Down With The Wreck. Cool-Hend-
ed Captain Farrell Landed
the Others Safely.
(By Tclegraph.)

HALIFAX. y. s.. July 11.-Thc
steamer Portia. which struck on Big
Fish Shcal fifteen miles east of FIalifax
last night, filed and sank during the
night.
The only victim of the wreck was
l2-year-old AssEran lad. known by the
name of Hasha. who was travelling SEC
ond class from New York to ST. Johns,
NE. where his mother lives.
The others on board the steamer, in
of thirtyfour officers and men. who
We're landed safely at Sambro Island.
were cared for there during the night
and We're brought here during the day.
LAST OF THE PORTrA.
The accident which happened about
p. NJ. and which is believed to have
been due to the dense fog which pre-
vailed at the time. probably ends the
career OF the Porta. which was an iron
vessel of 7s2 tons. fifteen years old.
The locality in which she struck is
very dangerous and even before she
went down it was apparent that the
vessel was badly damaged 1t is con-
sidered probable, however, that at
tempts will be made to reach parts of
her cargo and the baggage Of her pas
sengers.
The accounts of the wreck which
reached here last night indicated that
the passengers and crew escaped from
the ship with comparative ease but la
ter reports show that the work was not
accomplished without considerable diff
Guilty.
A TERRIFIC SHOOK.
The steamer had mounted the rocks
With shock that was felt in every
part Of her hull and all on board knew
Immediately what had happened. The
next moment the heavy southwest
swell lifted the steamer and forced her
forward 4 hurried inspection showed
Captain Farrell that his ship had been
broken and was filing, and also that
she was in danger Of being forced
across the shoal and thrown into the
deep water beyond.
He ordered the boats to be made
ready at once. This was done and the
passengers, including about thirty wo-
men, filled them without confusion, al
though the dangerous swell added peril
to the proceeding. AS the passengers
took their places it was discovered that
the Ass%rian lad was missing \ hasty
search of the vessel was made, but the
boy could not be found. When last seen
he was seasick. and it is though that he
craWled into some obscure corner to
lie down and thus escaped observation
when the searchers tried to find him.
LANDED IN SAFETY.
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, al
though the accommodation We're mea-
gre. The inhabitants of the island gave
up their homes and the provisions
which We're Scanty.
The steamers A. Y. Whitney and
Boyer We're dispatched from here as
soon as possible after the news of the
accident was received, bearing food for
those a t Sambro. The arrival of these
steamers early today brought great re
lief to the shipWrecked men and wo-
men, as we'll as to those who live on
the island
At daybreak those who had come on
the Portia We're taken aboard the two
steamers from Halifax and they reach
ed here this morning.
LOST MONEY AND VAIlArRLEs,
None of the passengers save their
baggage and Il number of them reported
that their money and valuables were
lost
captain Farrell, who left the Portia
last night to look after the safe landing
OF tn epassengers, returned to the scene
few hours later.
1t was found that the Porta had
been carried entirely over the shoal ana
sunk in nine or ten fathoms of water. a
short distance on the other side, only
the top masts being visible above the
surface.