The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-01-17
STEAMER BURNING.
Big Ship Wrecked on a Dangerous
Reef in ST. Mary's Bay, Five
Miles from Shore

st. Johns n. f., Jan. 12.-No furthe,
news of the steamer reported last night
as wrecked on reef in st. Mary'S bay
and on fire, had been received here up to
daylight this morning. No steamer can
leave here for the scene of the wreck be-
fore this afternoon. The colonial cruiser
Fiona Bay, and the steamer Kite will be
sent from Placentia bay as soon us posi-
bic to try and save the survivors il any
remain.
A steamer leaving here today could not
get to st. Mary's bay before tomorrow.
During a Snowstorm.
The wrecked steamship went ashore
during a snowstorm yesterday forenoon
near Gull island. in Peters river. st.
Mary's bay, a place noted for its ship
wrecks.
The local magistrate dispatched mes
sengers to st. Mary's harbor, which is the
nearest telegraph station, to wire the
authorities of the disaster and to ar
range for help, but the messengers had to
travel sixteen miles over rough country
roads. and did not reach st. Mary's un-
til Z at night. They could only describe
roughly the condition of the ship, which
was bow on on the rocks.
People Lashed to Rigging.
The people on board were dashed to the
rigging, and signaling for help, but no
boat could live in the sea that was rag
ing, although the fishermen there are the
most daring on the coast, frequently risk
ing their lives to save castaways.
Anybody in the rigging will surely per-
ish, as the weather is intensely cold.
The messenger thinks tine vessel is
passenger ship.
The vessel, which lies with it's bows
low in the water, is on fire aft.
Several persons have been washed off
the deck during the day.
Just before nightfall others were de-
serted in the rigging. 1t is feared that
these will perish before daybreak.
Life-Boats Smashed.
Belated reports from the magistrate
and wreck commissioner at st. Mary's
give the following additional particulars
in regard to the steamer:
She is a two-masted vessel and is
complete wreck. Only three survivors
We're visible at nightfall The vessels
boats were smashed and We're floating
bottom up. The crew had probably tried
to land in the boats and had been
drowned in the attempt. Some bodies ara
visible in the surf The ship is on fire
aft She has some kerosene on board,
but she is not thought to be a tank steam
err 1t is feared she will break up today
owing to the heavy sea. The magistrate
also reports that she is a new ship and is
probably passenger boat
Took Fire at Sea.
One theory is that the steamer took
fire at sea, that the captain thereupon
tried to make land and that the vessel
struck on the coast during a storm. No
hope is entertained that the lives of any
of those on board the vessel will be saved.
Nothing is known of her name or person.
mel.
A Passenger Ship.
The marine officials here say the
wrecked steamer is not an oil tanker,
there not being two-masted steamer of
the build atloat
The feeling is confirmed from the num-
Der of boats adrift that she is a passen-
ger ship.
The weather is becoming stormy again
and it is feared the shore folks will not
be able to board her tonight or recover
enough wreckage to identify her.