The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-08

VESSEL SANK IN IS MINUTES

After the winds and waves had tossed
her about for two days and had stripped
her OF the last stitcn OF canvass and torn
away her main mast the schooner George
and Albert OF New York had the addition
al misfortune 10 have found her final
haven on Cormorant rock at the mouth
Of the seaconnet river.
Tho end came about o'clock yesterday
morning and within Is minutes after she
struck the rock she filed and settled up
on the bottom. with the crew. however.
the struggle for life was not yet over.
for they had yet 20 make the mainland by
rle6ns OF the whale boat. Captain James
Eliwood. wife and the two seamen strug-
gled for some hours after the laundering
of the vessel before they reached a point
of safety. and they have thought them
se.ves extremely fortunate 10 have reach
ed land at all.
OF the struggle Capt. Ellwood said:
ON Wednesday tho vessel encountered
high winds and heavy seas, the difficulty
Of managing the craft increased because
two OF the crew were unable TO do much
in the way OF giving assistance.
On Wednesday night the fury OF the
storm was such that the craft was able
to make no headway II was decided TO
anchor and try TO ride the storm out. Ac-
cordingly when the schooner was off
Watch Hill, both anchors we're dropped
and she remained there the greater part
OF the night Toward morning. however.
she began TO drag her anchors and the
captain tried TO bring her around into the
shelter OF Point Judith breakwater
At this time the squall which struck
he early Thursday morning snapped the
n'alnmast of halfway up from the deck
and blew both large sails 10 ribbons.
The crew succeeded i'm cutting away the
wTecSage before the dangling piece OF the
spar bad stove a hole in the side.
The boat by this time was nearly un-
manageable, however, Capt. Ellwood
then determined TO try TO make Newport
Eai Dor. intesding 10 come in by Brentons
Reef and the West Passage Darkness
fell. and, fearing lest the craft in her al
most helpless condition would run ashore,
he decided 10 continue along the Sound
and await a more favorable opportunity
for barbor.
The storm still ragged. and he was un-
able TO make out any Of the lights along
shore. After drifting helplessly about for
several hours the George and Albert
crashed suddenly with terrific force on
what il was later ascertained was Cor
morant rock. which is unprotected by
either bell buoy or light. and which rises
some 20 feet out Of the water at high
tide
II was about o'clock when the schoon-
er struck, and I'm the fog and darkness
and rhe bewildering storm those on board
were unable 10 get anX definite Idea as
to their location No time was lost.
though TO launch the whaleboat seemed
almost an impossiblity. and three hours
later the party. utterly exhausted. made
land near Seaconnet Point.
TheV wara az Saacnpnat
house by Julius F. Hartwell proprietor
and after enjoying a good breakfast. the
first meal they had had since Wednes-
day. embarked on the steamer Queen
City, Capt. Johnson. and went 10 liver
ton. intending TO take the cars to New
port where they were 10 visit the Gus
toms officials to make their report OF the
disaster and also to obtain transportation
to their homes I'm Dighton.
When the news Of the wreck was re-
ceived at Newport yesterday the Bren-
tons Point life-saving crew. I'm tow Of
the tug Solicitor. went to the scene Of
the wreck. There was Of course. no
sign OF the crew. and II was feared for
n time that those on board the ill-fated
craft had heen drowned.
The George and Albert was built In
1867 a Belfast Me. She was Of 12i tons
gross and 115 tons net. Her length was
SS feet inches breadth 26 feet inches.
She was owned by Capt Ellwood's father
and Is said To be uninsured