Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-12
ONLY FOUR SAVED.
Steamer City of Monticello
Lost Near Yarmouth, N. S.
Steamer EnguIfed in Gigantic Sea
and Then Boilers Explode.
OUT OF 80 PERSONS But FOUR
REACH SHORE IN SAFETY.

Halifax, y. s., Nov 1.-THE worst
marine disaster in the long list of
steamers wrecked among the rocks
and shoals at the entrance Of the bay
of Fundy, occurred, Saturday morning
when the side wheel steamer city Of
Monticello, bound from ST. John for
Yarmouth. was overw helmed only four
miles from her destination by noun
famous seas and engulfed with "a Of
her passengers and crew.
The tragedy resembles the loss Of the
steamer City Of Portland, and differs
in one particular, that four OF the
Monticello's people survive by .iniracu-
lous escape TO tell the story.
All Friday night. great breakers
rolled upon the shore with a thunder
ing roar. Saturday morning, the sea
presented wrathful picture
The sailing Of the Monticello from
ST. John was delayed until F-iday
morning at HE A. NJ, when the steam
or put TO sea and passed in the teeth
Of a fierce southwest gale into the
open bay.
Capt. Harding had expected the
storm 70 abate, but the wind increased
-
TO a tremendous height.
Progress Friday night. was slow, the
steamer rolling and plunging in a
friShtful manner. making ii difficult
TO fire and control the ship.
The wind and sea rose higher toward
morning, and immense combers broke
over the Monticello from end to end
and continually buried her in water.
There was no comfort on the steamer,
which shook in every timber when the
seas struck under the overhang Of the
cabins. threatening to break the boat
into sections.
1t became evident that she could not
float many hours unless the sea went
down. and the captain prepared to
leave the steamer
A race for life began. The Monticello
made SLOW progress through mountain
Gus seas. The land was in sight from
o'clock Saturday morning, and the
steamer gradually reduced the dis
t9nce.
At ii o'clock she was four miles off
Chegogyin point and six miles from
Yarmouth.
The sea was fearfuily heavy. and the
capita in ordered the small boat lowered
10 send the women ashore. az the Mon
ticello threatened 10 founder moment
arily. A small boat and Il large metal
lie lifehoat We're lowered
In the first entered three women,
Elsie Mcdonald, Kate Smith, the stew
ardcss. and i colored girl. Second Off
Ger Murphy, Third Officer j. T Flem-
ming. Quartermaster Wilson Cook and
Captain Norman Smith a passenger,
who answered a call for volunteers to
take the women ashore.
Fear and bewilderment prevented
others getting into the boat, and the
survivors cannot say how many If any,
succeeded in getting into the metallic
llfeboat. There were - persons all
told on the Monticello.
The small boat was hardly 4 dozen
lengths away from the Monticello's
side when a tremendous sea rolled over
the laboring steamer; the boilers ex-
ploded. q crash came and the hull was
reduced 10 fragments. The metallic
boat was not seen after. The small
boat was driven ashore in a bowling
gale End thrown on the beach by huge
Combcrs.
Elsie Mcdonald and Second officer
Murphy We're caught by the undertow
and carried out again. The girl was
not seen again. Murphy was dashed
back upon the shore and killed.
The other four occupants of the boat
saved themselves with trlfiing injuries.
The survivors are:
Wilson Cook, quartermaster. of Hall
fax.
Kate Smith, stewardess.
Captain Smith of the Battle Line
steamer PharsalIa, Il passenger.
Third officer Fleming. Halifax.
No trace Of the other boat or its oc-
cupants or those who remained on the
when she blew up has been
Assistant Manager McG.ay. with
physicians and undertakers, has gone
10 the scene to care for the living and
pay the last sad rites to the body of
Murphy and any others which may
,one ashore.
Capt. Smith, one of the survivors
vas the first TO bring the news OF the
disaster to Yarmouth from Pembroke,
where he landed. He gave the follow
ns account:
The steamer Monticello left ST.
'ohn. Friday morning at Ills. The
Wind was blowing heavily at the time
,ut was not 80 strong as To cause
larm. The storm became heavier.
lowever, and after the steamer had
lassed PelIto passage it was feared |
hat she was doomed.
About II O'Clock Saturday morning, |
when about four miles off ChegoFylr !
'oint. it was decided to send the wo-
men ashore in the boat, and j. NJ. /
'lemming. third officer. Wilson Cook. /
citing quarternaster. and Nehemiah
iurphy. second officer. volunteered to
AXE them ashore. The women num-
{ red three, Elsie Mcdonald, aged 10.
aughter Of Alex Mcdonald. tailor of
'armouth. Kate Smith of Yarmouth.
tewardess. and a colored girl whose
anne do not know.
The women were gotten into the
oat with great difficulty. the volur-