Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-29
PORTLAND LOCATED.
More Wreckage Secured from
the lIlfated Steamer.
Lies in so or 60 Fathoms, "a Miles
North Of Highland Light.
Eleven More Claims Assresating 500. 1000,
Filed Against the Company.


Boston, March 2S.-In hauling her
travis in Massachusetts bay, yester-
day, the fishing schooner Maud s.
brought to the surface quantity of
steamer furnishings, which it is believ-
ed viii degnitely determine the location
of the hull of the Inflated steamer
Portland, after four months or conjec-
tuere.
The wreckage consists of two cleo
tric light brackets. mattress. some
minor cabin furnishings, heaving
line and garter. and the point in the
bay is given by Capt. Thomas as 22la
miles east y north from Boston light,
II miles south southeast of Cape Ann.
and "A miles north, u west from High
land light. the depth of the water being
between so ana go fathoms.
only a few weeks ago another fisher
| man. at very nearly the same place,
brought up some wasbowl fittings. but
| these could not be positively identified
by Agent G. +. Williams of the Port
land Line as being part of the fur
nishings in one of the cabins of the
steamer. While the finding of the garter
leads to the belief that there are bodies
in the wreck.
OF the 20 human beings, more or less,
who went down with the steamer in
the gale of Nov. 26-27, the remains of
less than 80 were recovered along the
shore of Cape Cod. over 80 miles away.
1t is possible, therefore, in view of the
plausible theory that greater portion
of the hull is still intact, that many of
the bodies are in the wreck. and with
careful graphing may be recovered. 1t
will be impossible. however. owing to
the great depth of the water. to use
divers in exploring the hull. and Crap
ping irons must be used in bringing to
light any additional portions of the YES
sci.
The steamboat people, while pleased
that the location of the steamer has at
length, possibly, been determined, will
take no further action in the matter,
leaving it to the owner Of the vessel,
Mr. John b. Burke of New York, from
whom the boat was rchartered.
A number of propositions have al
ready been submitted to Mr.. Burke for
the raising of the steamer. and there is
a possibility that he may now see fit
to accept them These suggestions are,
however. based on the theory that
very little of the vessel was washed
away before she sank and that with
heavy chains under her. she may be
raised and, perhaps be made service
able
In the course of an interview. to-
night. Cant William Thomas Of the
schooner Naud s. described how his
crew hooked IN the Portland wreckage.
He said the travis had been set about
500 feet apart. on a line running north
and south. They covered a range of
oaOO feet or 81 and when each was
nu,,ed into a dorv some norton of the
wreckaye came with il.
w A Heating in one Of the dories.
found thar he had an excessive weight
nm his line and succeeded in bringing
to the surface what he thought to be
, n.r+ of tho n;,ot bouSa of so,na vassel
II was foo heavy for him to get into
bic dorv and so he broke off a mart of
an e,ectric light FIXTURE which was at
+,ohad to n and lat tho balance sink
h,ck to +be hottom
Rarnard Stewart Ionis G. Doughty
and A1ack DaipIa were the fishermen
in other aorjes and they found attach
q
orotbar olactric LIGHT bracket q TO-
,n,na sound;np lead and ahont 20
f,thon,s nf Inc and nortions Of female
,,,o,r;nr .nnara,
A. tho CHICO of the Portland Line.
steward Harris of the steamer Bay
soto identified tho articles. He said
49, hoa ,vas IN tba ladies cabin and
noi,tad o,+ some renairs that had been
n,ode n If cant Dennis of the
sta.nor Paw state and Ouartermaster
p,,r,,a+ .,so oided in tba Identification.
Accent Williams gives his opinion
tb,t IN. steamer was in collision with
tha schooner King philin. while the
forner was irving 10 weather the
storm When asked if the company
would send 4 tug to locate the wreck
Mr. Wil,iams said.
..Oh no. she is in over go fathoms of
water. and no diver could live in that
depth. The chances are that she is all
r. J.. : ...o .A;,,-. hou,