Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-16

Beta and three of the crew of the
british schooner Marjory j. Simmons.
Capt. Reed of the United States rev.
enue cutter Mohawk spied the Sylvia
on the reef about o'clock yesterday
morning as he was cruising from New
Bedford to visit the lightships in this
vicinity, and he ran alongside. All the
passengers were taken off in safety and
hIou ght to this port.
At daylight the crews of the life
saving stations at Cuttyhunk ana Gay
head saw the steamer and put off to
her assistance, and the Humane Soci-
ETY. boat from Cuttyhunk was also
alongside when the Mohawk arrived.
The Sylvia belongs to the Red Cross
line and plies between New York and
Halifax and St. John. The registers
1886 tons net, and was built at New
castle, Eng. in 1885. She was formerly
named the Baghdadi.
The Sylvia sailed from New York at
1 +. Nj. Friday with so passengers on
board, including shipwrecked seamen
of the schooner Marjorie j. Summer
aud the steamer Beta. At about y.
NJ. she was preceding slowly toward
the entrance to Vineyard sound when,
she ran into thick fog near Block
island. The whistle on the Hen and
Chickens lightship was steered for
in the belief that it was the lightship
which is located at the entrance to
Vineyard sound.
She was preceding along slowly
Nllen her bottom scraped on the Sow
and Pigs ledge, which is off the south
west end of Cuttyhunk island. mid
way between the island and the Vine
yard sound liehtship. Capt. Farrell at
once backed the engine, but the steam
er had struck too hard. and refused 70
move. The port side was broken in and
Water began at once to fill the forward
compartments. When it was seen that
the vessel was effectually stranded the
officers FASTENED to put the boats in
readiness and to assist the passengers
III getting together their luggage pre-
p'rinS t. leave the steamer.
Shortly after dawn the Boston tug
Orion appeared out of the fog and was
hailed by the Silvia. The first officer of
the steamer notified the Orion of the ac-
cider ana the Orion immo diately turned
10 and sailed for Woods Hole for assist
anCe.
In the mean time the Gay Head and
lifc-savins crews, having dis
covered the situation of the Silvia. put
out in their lifcboats and stood by, ready |
to give assistance in the event of the !
tugs inability to run alongside the
stranded steamer.
Tie passengers could not say enough
in praise of the efficient action of the
steamers officers at the time the Silvia
stranded. Edward Redman. one of the |
arrivals on the Mohawk, told the follow
ing story of the events:
II was in my berth when the steamer
struck, and / felt her hit the rocks and |
seem to Keel over on her port side 1t
seemed as though that side of the steam
ar was rolling. l jumped out Of the berth
ana d essed as quickly as possible and
ran out into the hallway Women and
children we're running back and forth |
Trying to find out what was tie matter.
The first officer of the ship came
through the passaseway and told them
hat the ship had struck on ledge, but
was in no immediate danger Of sinking
He told them to dress fully and to as
Scmhle in the ward-room. In about 10
minutes all the passengers had got into
their clothes and lad hurried to the
Here they were much sur
prised to find that coffee was being
served by the stewards. At o'clock
breakfast was served as usual. BY this
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