Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-06
In Wreck Of Stmr, Lunen-
burg Off Amherst Harbor.
Vessel Driven Ashore by Heavy
Seas in Snow Squa|I.
Storm Ahates and Five Row to Satet...
Others Go Down With Boat.

Etang du Nord, Magdalen Islands.
Dec. 5.-Full particulars of the loss of
the steamer Lunenburg with one of
h"r owners and 10 of her crew at Outer
Sand Beach. opposite Amherst Harbor,
10 miles south of this port, were re-
ceived here, today. The steamer struck
the beach during thick snow storm
at o'clock, yesterday morning, and
is total wreck. A list of those who
lost their lives is as follows:
Il. J. Leslie, M. P. p, Grindstone Is
land. one of the owners of the steamer.
]. NJ. Mcconnell. purser; H. NJ Mer-
sard steward; r. Mcdonald, chief ell
gineer; j. j. Jose, cook; B. Ham, cabin
boy; - Chiasson, WHALE Doucette,
Adolfus Vigneault, Samuel Vigneaul
and Joseph Bourgers, deck hands.
The Lunenburg was bound from Pic
tou, n. S., for Magdalen Island ports,
with mails and freight. Besides Captain
Pride, whc was saved, and his crew,
the only PERSON on board was Mr.. Les
lie, Who was on his way home from
Nova Scotia.
The steamer was attempting to enter
Amherst Harbor at the time of the dis
safer. thick northeast snow storm
prevailed and heavy sea constantly
swept the vessels decks. The light
house at Amherst could be seen at
times, however, and the captain sup
posed he had cleared the beach. Sud-
denly, d great wave literally picked
up the small steamer and left her
stranded on the beach directly oppo-
site the entrance of the harbor. At
70, ~
less, but all hands were able to keep
themselves from being washed over
board, although the seas fully swept
the vessels decks.
II was two hours after daylight be-
fore the wreck was sighted from shore.
A number of fishermen put off in a
boat and took off five of the crew. At
this time the steamer was apparently
little damaged and the others declined
to abandon it. At l O'Clock in the after
noon, the storm increased in violence
and those Oh shore saw that she was
doomed to destruction. Gradually the
waves smashed the woodwork and the
upper works of the craft began to
yield before the attack of the elements.
Leslie, CAPTAIN Pride and the other
men on the ship lowered boat and at
tempted to reach the land. not a grea.
distance away, but in the furious seas
the crew could make little Roadway.
Fishermen on the island saw the boat
launched, but the storm quickly shut
off the view. Again the fishermen start
ed for the wreck, but when they
reached the scene they found that the
steamers boat had been overturned
and that of the frozen men in her
only one remained. The survivor was
Captain Pride. He was able to cling to
the overturned boat until rescued by
the fishermen. The lifesavers had a Sc
we're battle in the gale, but they were
able to keep on an even keel and
reached the land after some difficulty.
The Lunenburg is total wreck. The
bodies of the unfortunate men are
coming ashore at various points, al
though all have not yet been found.
r. J. Leslie. one of those lost, was a
member of the provincial Parliament of
Quebec province from the Magdalen Is
lard district. He was well known in the
fisheries business and was wealthy.