Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-01-30
STEAMER BODWELL ASHORE.
Iced-up Bell-buoys Responsible for
the Accidcnt-Total Loss.

The small passenger steamer,
Governor Bodwell, running between
Rockland and Swans Island, went
ashore on Spindle ledge at the en-
trance to Swans Island harbor Sat
urday night Passengers were taken
off by motor boats which went i'm
mediately to the rescue of the
wrecked craft The crew was forced
to abandon the steamer later, when
it was found she would fill.
The steamer, valued at $4,000,
will probably be total loss. The
upper works have already been
washed away, and decks are
awash.
The steamer Vinalhaven is being
put in commission for the route.
Motor boats will carry the mails until
she is ready
From our Regular Correspondent
Swans Island, Jan. 29-On Satur-
day the steamer Gov. Bodwell made
her usual trip to Rockland, and that
afternoon, on arrival at Stonington,
Capt Gray went ashore and relin-
quished command to Capt. Roscoe
Kent for the remainder of the voyage
to Swans Island. 1t was blowing
gale from the westward, the tenn
perature was below zero, vapor was
flying thick, and the early evening
settled down dark,
1t had previously been noted that
Halibut ledge bell-buoy was badly
iced and had turned bottom up, so
Capt. Kent had to run for the bell
buoy off Hockamock/ Head at the
western entrance TO Swans Island
harbor. When the proper course and
time had been run, the buoy could
not be found, as that, TOO, was out Oh
commission due to icing. Just at TINS
time a binding snowsquaU struck,
obscuring all marks and bearings,
and almost instantly the steamer was
too near the shore of Harbor island,
The pilot sheered off and averted dis
aster, but in another moment, the
Night on Hockamock Head loomed up
almost aboard, and it was necessary
to sheer off to avoid the rocks. In
the darkness and the heavy snow
suualt it was impossible accurately to
gauge distance, and almost at once
the steamer ran hard on the Spindle
ledge between Harbor island and
Hockamock Head. The bow was
driven about thirty feet out OF water,
the stern settling in the water.
Distress signals were sounded,
and in response Karl BatcAeler and
Everett Carter, in the formers boat,
put out to the wreck, safely took off
the passengers, and landed them at
the wharf Captain and crew re-
NAMED on the vessel. In the iate
evening" with the flood tide, the yes
sci filled. The heavy seas pounding
in from the western harbor entrance,
driven by the gale, which increased
in force, made it dangerous for the
crew to remain longer, and they were
taken ashore by motor boat, dory
and one of the steamers boats
Their rescue was effected with diff
liculty. as it was impossible to lay
small boat alongside, and all hands
suffered somewhat from exposure
and frost bite. They were soaked to
the skin in the icy water, with the
temperature then at twelve below
zero. No fatalities occurred. The
first-class mail was saved, but the
second-class mail and freight remain
on the vessel.
Ship discipline was excellent at
all times, and Captain Kent and the
crew lived up to the noblest tradi-
lions of the sea. The wreck was the
result of unforeseen accidents, and
unavoidable, and no blame can be at
tached to any one on board. The
non watching buoys, the flying vapor
and the sudden binding snowsquall
combined toward the disaster.
The steamer is apparently in
seriously damaged condition, and
the question of salvage cannot as yet
be answered. Sunday afternoon, the
main cabin or saloon was washed
away, and mail matter and freight
began coming ashore. Everything
possible is being done to save it,