Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-13
THE STEAMER PORTIA LOST
Struck on Big Fish ShoaI, 10
Miles East of Halifax.
SANK SOON AFTER THE MISHAP
TO Passengers and "a Seamen
Landed Safely.


Halifax, N. s., July 1.-THE steamer
Portia, which struck on Big Fish
Shoal, 10 miles east Of Halifax, last
night, filled and sank during the night.
The only victim OF the wreck was a
12-years 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 10 passengers and crew of "a
officers and men, were landed safely
at Sambro Island.
Gbe accident, which happened about
Z O'Clock and which is believed to have
been due to a dense fog, which pre-
vailed at the time, probably ends tho
career of the Portia, which is an iron
vessel Of 1872 tons, Is yearsgold. 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 had
escaped from the ship with comparative
ease, but later reports show that the
work was not accomplished without
considerable difficulty. The steamer
had mounted the rocks with shock
that was felt in every part Of her hull,
and all on board knew instantly what
had happened. The next moment the
heavy southwest swell lifted the steamer
and forced her forward. A hurried in
spection showed Capt. Farrell that his
ship had been broken and filling, 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 80 women, filled them
without confusion, although the dan
gerous swell added peril to the pro-
oeeding. 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 crawled into some obscure
corner, to lie down, and thus ESCAPED
| observation when the searchers trieo
to find him.
The shipwrecked men and women all
were jhutlou VII OdiIlDfO lSlhuls WulCI
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 theil
homes and provisions, which wer,
scanty. The steamers A. O. Whitne,
and L. Boyer were dispatched as soor
as possible after the news of the aoci
dent reached here, bearing food fo
those at Sambro. The arrival of tn,
steamers, early today, brought grea
relief to the shipwrecKed men ant
women. as well as to those who live a
the island. At daybreak, those WHIT
had come from the Portia were takel
on board the two steamers from Hall
fax, and they reached here this morn
ing, None Of the passengers saved thei
baggage, and a number reported tina
their money and jewels had been lost.
Capt. Farrell, who left the Porti
last night to look after the safe landinj
of his passengers. returned to the seen
a few bours later. on a Sambro lobste
steamer. 1t was found that the Porti
had been carried entirely over the shoa
and sunk in nine or ten fathoms O
water n short distance on the othe
side, only the topmasts being visibl
above the surface,