Show loss of the steamer connaught the steamer connaught from gadwa galway Y september after leaving 0 st johns october ad as previously reported was lost at sea on the ath before reaching boston but fortunately no lives were lost the following 0 account of the disaster was given by one of the passengers on arriving arriving at boston passing the circumstances of the voyage from galway which port we left at 5 p mp m of orf the uit until about 8 p in of saturday the eth dinst he says while chile heading y s tw ardly the wind blowing a northerly g gale gaie alethe the ship began to roll to the larboard larbour with ith a singular motion going goin 0 far down and keeping seeping that way a long iong time which caused some alarm aie Ale meantime antime the captain was heard heird giving orders about steering manning the pumps etc firemen under the lee of the paddle paddie pad ile lle box were observed whispering and there were other manifestations that some not right considerable water was observed through the gratings t 1 the engine soon after stopped for awhile after strenuous exertions by captain leitch and crew the ship rim righted wim ted and the wheels commenced curnin turning when tho passengers became more compose composed d the sea was rough the wind blowing what the sailors call an ordinary full gale most of the passengers turned in but passed a restless ni night ht sunday 8 a in the ship began to roll again with that shaggy motion similar to the evening previous the captain and crew could neither tack nor wear the ship soon after the engine stopped and steam could not be raised in the boilers the ship rolled frightfully to the larboard and the pumps were manned and gangs of men commenced bailing with buckets at ten it was reported that the water was not gaining but on the contrary that the pumps and arid boilers were gaining on the leak and if the wind would Stif stiffen ded feD would reach boston that night 0 1 but these hopes were soon changed to extreme terror when the word was passed around in in low terms the ship is on firel fire accompanied by the smell of burning wood the fire appeared between the decks gangs were immediately formed with pumps and buckets to extinguish the flames taking t the water from the sea and passing it in into to buckets As the fire gained the boilers began to blacken lacken work all eyes staring around the horizon in in hopes to see some means of safety several false reports of a vessel in in sight were made but at last we discovered a sail to the northward and soon afler after another to the westward both very low down but it became at one that both were near jeanng ii us and arid the vessel steering north had bad three masts and the one west only two we soon found out that the latter iatter was passing while the other still neared without showing any signs that she noticed us which kept us in extreme anxiety and doubt until she bore directly for us evidently showing that she observed the steamers flags of distress which had bad been hoisted since midday mid day we then commenced to steer ava away avaland yand alid arid launch boats which was a very difficult job the ship lyl lying n almost on her side in in a trough of the sea by by this time the fire had bad cut off all communication with the saloons the first quarter boat lowered was struck by the counter and lost which caused hesitation about launch ng dg the others but the worst of our fears was that supposing the boats should ride the sea which then showed show ed signs of moderating and that we could safely launch and fill them with passengers there was no chance of remaining but a short time on board the fire making such progress the flames were momentarily expected to burst out and swept the decks the rire fire gangs having given up rip all hopes of extinguishing them but contin continuing uina to apply wet blankets etc the side of t the ship was then so hot that when she rolled it would hiss and make steam of the sea water the gallant little yankee brig sailed alongside and hove boe to seeing yur pur our deplorable situation and showing every sign of anxiety for us but we began to think it would be impossible to stow all our numbers on board she looked so small we have since ascertained she was only tons burthen capt leitch made all haste to get us into the boats which was extremely difficult being lowered one by one with ropes capt leitch stood by all the time commencing im with the women and arid children but with all th the e exertions that could be made when the sun went down only about had been got on board the brig capt wilson of the bilg bug said this is a horrible affair to see the sun 9 going down and so many people yet on board the wreck settling down and burning up I 1 will do all in in my power to save them several of the boats crews on re reaching achin the brig refused to return when capt widson said sald 1 I will go almost alongside and take a hawser froin from on onboard inboard board and then you will be in in little orno or no danger I 1 must get every one from the wreck this he did which had bad the effect oe of giving givin t confidence and by great exertion all were got on board ly by 11 p in capt leitch and his first officer remaina on board until almost surrounded with flames and until every soul was saved capt wilson then sent alongside to beg him to come away the flames were shooting up the masts throwing oving a strong and melane melancholy oly light over the sea capt leitch reached the brig just at midnight scarcely a parcel of baggage vas iwas saved the trunks and even eien money of 0 the cabin passengers being left below during the contusion confusion and the alarm which call cail called td them on deck in the morning after which communication was cut off by the water and fl ardes flames the connaught Con nought was of tons burthen built of iron iron feet in length beam 40 feet depth of hold 32 feet was launched in april last and was considered one of the safest and most substantial steam vessels afloat she had bad on board passengers and a crew of men she wah wag was valued at arid and was fully insured |