Loss of the Ounard Liner Oregon.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5616, 12 May 1886, Page 2

Loss of the Ounard Liner Oregon.

A SCHOONER ALSO SUNK. ' The Canard Company have lost a steamer. Up to Sunday, March I*, 18S6, it could boast that during the term of its existence-- just 60 years— it had not only not lost a Bteamer, but neither passengers nor mails. Tbe Philadelphia correspondent of the Times telegraphed the following particulars of the occurrence: "On March li the Cunard Liner Oregon, just before daylight, about 18 miles to the east, of Fire Island Ught, Long Island, was run into by an unknown sohooner on the port side. With a great crash the schooner stove a hole fift in diameter in compartment •number three, and the ii'jured steamer began to slowly— L Captain Co' tier was below, bnt the chief officer, Mr Matthews, woa on the bridge. The sea waa comparatively mnooth. The boats, after some delay, were manned and lo -rered. The pilot boat Phantom, Ko. 11, juat then came along, and alao the schooner Fannie Gerham, and the transfer of those on board the sinking vessel to them began, the ladies going first. Six hundred and forty-one passengers and the crew of 205 were all taken off by 11 o'clock in the morning, Captain Cottier being the last to leave tne steamer. Later on, the steamer Foldo, bound for New York, came up. The Oregon sank at about 1 o'clook. All hands were placed on hoard ot the Fulda by 4 o'clock, and the Fulda signalled to tbe Fire Island signal station at. 4.30, 'Oregon sunk; passengers all aboard.' The Fulda'a was the firat report of tbe disaster received on shore. The Fulda then steamed to Sew York, reaching Sandy Hook after sunset. The Cunard agents sent several tugs dowu to bring off the pa sengers. All the luggage was lost, with nearly all the mails; only 69 of over GOO sacks being saved. The Oregon had a oargo of 1850 tons. The pasaeng-ra have lost all their effects, and many of * hem are making demands on tha agent for -reimbursement. Wreckers have been engaged to try and raise the ateamer, but doubts ore expressed as to whether they can succeed. The passenger* report that the stokers End firemen acted disgracefully, and wanted to seize the boats required. Tbere was some difficulty iv subduing them, and one had to be knocked down by a ship's officer before he would obey. Captain Cottier made the following statement :— * We hod fine weather all the "*ay across. The weather was clear at half-past four o'clock on the Sunday morning, with a fresh breeze from the weat. A Boiling vessel suddenly loomed up. When first noticed she showed no Ught, but when too close to clear as Bhe showed a white light — I cannot say on what part ot her. The Oregon was running under a full head of steam. The vessel struck ua amidships, and stove a big hole in our port Bide. All tbe water-tight compartments were oloaed at thia time. The Oregon went down at about 12.45, having floated abont eight hours after she waa struck. She now liea in about* 22 fathoms of water, north-half-west, west from Watoh Hill, Long Island. The tops of her moats are alone visible above the water, the vessel being upright. She went down head first. We worked from the moment of the collision as if we expected her to Bink ; but I did not believe that she was going to sink. We took extreme precautions. The pumps were of no use. I might say that we worked them, of course, to their full capacity ; bat they hd oo chance against the mass of water which continually carried her down. The usual watch was on deck at the time of the accident. No time was lost in awakening the passengers, few of whom heard or felt- the shock. All ware in bed at the time. Soon after the accident occurred a steamer passed ns— a National Line boat, I think— but she went on. The vessel running into ns must have sunk immediately; when we looked for her she was not in sight. She mußt have gone down with all on board. When I found that the vessel was sinking I took the necessary steps to •aye the passengers. We first sent np rockets as sigt|»in of distress.' The captain next describes the transfer of the passengers and crew, 400, to the pilot boat, and the rest, numbering nearly 500, to the steamar Fulda, which came in sight a little before noou. The captain added •*— ' There were no scenes on board the Oregon. I never expected to see such An affair go off so easily.' ' There appears to be no ohanc9 of raising the Oregon, and it is believed that the ahip ia broken in two. The passengers claim damages from the agent of the Cunard Line for the lobb of their luggage. The agent denies all reeporjdbility, but a comproiniai will probably be arrived at. Some of the packages of cargo have oome to the surface, and been picked np by wrecking boats. Tho wreck has been buoyed by the Government. The New York Postmaster reports that £93 sacks ot mails were on board the Oregon, and that there were 240 J registered lettera in 66 Backs. Only a small portion of the French, Italian, Swedish and Russian mails, numberiug*94 pieces, has been recovered. Tho British and German registered letters have been nearly all lost, and most of the mone '■--order lists. The Italian list was saved. Duplicate lists have been cabled for."