Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-20
The Steamer Spartan
Grounds at Block Island.
A Fifteen Foot Hole in the Bow
and Vessel Sinks.
Vessel Carried Small Crew and Gen.
eraI Carso-No Passengers.

Block Island. r. T.. March 19.-In
rounding the southeast end of Block
Island, two hours before daylight this
morning, the steamer Spartan, Cap
tain }. .. Briggs of the Boston and
Philadelphia Steamship Co., but on her
way from providence to Philadelphia,
grounded on the point and sunk until
me water was even with her lower
deck with 15-foot hole in her bow
The vessel carried no passengers. but
had a general cargo and crew of 2?
men. AS the weather. while thick. re-
manned fairly good until inst at dark.
tonight. when n heavy swell set in
| from off shore and the crew, which had
| remained on board. signalled to be TAX
en- Off. 1t was reported at 8 o'clock, to-
night. that the stern of the vessel
showed signs of breaking off.
The New Shoreham life savers re-
sronded at once to the steamers -call
| for asSasiance.
The Spartan lies broadside on the
beach. heading about southwest and
her position seemeds to indicate that
those in charge Of her believed that she
| would clear the point and had swung
her off on her course down the coast.
At : o'clock. tonight, wreckers ar
rived from New London and word was
| received that others were on their way
| from Hoston.
The accident occurred almost under
| the bluff on which is the powerful
| southeast light, equipped with fog
| whistle, which. according to those on
| shore. had been blowing half an hour
| before the steamer struck. The wealth
1,n of fhn
somewhat foggy. but the mist was not
| particularly dense.
The Spartan ran squarely onto the
| reef that makes out from the end of
| the island for Il distance OF o few hum
| bred yards. 1t was high tide at the
| time and she filled to her lower deck
| almost Immediately.
| The Spartan left Providence. yes
| terday afternoon. and made slow run
| down Narraganset bay. She passed out
| by Beaver Tail light early, this morn
| ing, ut once headed for Block Island
with the intention of rounding and
| then keeping on down the coast. In go
| ing around the end of the island for
| some reason she chung too close to the
| shore and at a quarter to four. O'Clock,
| this morning. suddenly fetched upon
the reef She filled, but only sunk 10
| her lower deck. Almost above her was
| the powerful Southeast light, one OF
the first order lights on the coast and
equipped with a powerful fog whistle.
| which, was working at the time of the
accident.
Captain Briggs Immediately dis
patched Il boat to shore and this fore
| noon, the owners of the boat i'll Bos-
| ton We're notified.
| Wreckers from New London started
| for the scene this noon, and Il fleet
| from Boston. this afternoon.
| The New Shorcham Life Saving Crew
at the East lIarbor Went out TO tine
| scene of the wreck at daylight. this
| morning and offered to take the crew
ashore but Captain Briggs declined as
sistance at the time. in the hope that
| quick work in lighterir. the cargo and
| patching the hole might succeed in
floating her up before the weather
| changed The life savers then went
| hack to their station. but a man along
the beach to watch the wreck in case
the weather became threatening.
| The day was one o; alternate foGs
| and clear weather, bu, tho wind held
| from the west. a favorable quarter as
| far 10 the sea was concerned. Half the
| uopu,atjon of the island visited the
| scene of the wreck during the day anu
| at low tide. this forenoon many were
able to get within a short distance of
| the stranded vessel.
| The chances of saving her We're free
| " discussed by the hardy mariners ON
| the beach. and many recalled that only
| Il short distance away was the scene
| of the wreck If the steamer Palmetto
| quarter of century ago. ana that
| her bones were still on the reef whcre
| she went ashore. Another wreck only
| two miles away on the other slde Oh
the southwest Light was that of the
government tug Leyder, which ran
ashore while on her way up the coast
| about two years ago. The remains Oh
| her iron hull can still be seen.
| AS the day drew to Il close. the sea.
| which had remained very tranquil since
the vessel grounded. Logan to sho"
signs of storm far of shore. heavy
swell setting in from the southeast
which broke with considerable force on
| tho stern Of the Spartan.
The New London wreckers appeared
on the scene about this time. but til"
heavy sea prevented the lighters from
| going along side the vessel
| Steam had been kept UP all day and
II was expected that. should the wealth
err favor. the hole might be patched up
and the steamers pumps utilized III
| freeing her compartments.
But as the twilight faded, the chanc-
es of saving the vessel appeared TO
| fade too. The great seas Numbered
| against her side and broke completely
over her stern. which during the day
had settled slightly. Those en- the beach
kent as close to the vessel as possible.
and about half past seven o'clock. to-
night. some enc was heard hailing
from the Spartan that the stern show
ed signs of breaking off. Soon after
came the four signals for assistance.
tie last blast expiring in weak gasp
"a if the water had reached the fires
i Continued on Page Five.)