TERRIBLE COLLISION AT SEA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1036, 26 January 1880, Page 4

TERRIBLE COLLISION AT SEA.

By the arrival at Liverpool of a Spanish steamer, Puerto Rico, information has been received of a disastrous collision, which resulted in the sinking of a large United States schooner, and the loss of aU of her crew. The disaster occurred in Ghesapeak Bay, between the above-named steamer and an unknown schooner. It appears that the Puerto Rico, with a valuable cargo, principally grain, left Baltimore about mid day on September 16, bound for Liverpool. About eight p.m. she was about 60 miles of Baltimore, the night being fine, when the lights of a large schooner were seen, and shortly afterwards she came across the bows of the steamer. The latter was going at a good speed at the time, and struck the other vessel close by the bow with such force that she was entirely cut in two, and sank in three minutes afterwards. The engines of the steamer were immediately stopped, but the rate at which she was going carried her a distance of a quarter of a mile from the scene of the disaster before a boat could be % lowered Immediately the collision took place, the pitiful shrieks of the persons on board the schooner rent the air, whilst one voice was heard distinctly calling out for a boat tb'be sent to them. With remarkable promptitude a boat was launched from the steamer, and pulled to the scene of the mishap, followed immediately by a second boat, for the purpose of picking up any of the crew, but although the boats cruised around for fully an hour, not a single living person could be seen on the spot which but a few minutes before rang with the despairing cries of drowning men, being then as silent as the grave. Both of the masts of the vessel were lying on the water, and bore evidence of the force of the collision, which had the effect of turning them completely ont of the unfortunate schooner. The water around was remarkably clear of wreckage and nothing could be picked up which could give any cine to the identity of the vessel. The boats after their futile search, returned 'to the steamer, which was only found to have been damaged in the rigging, the foretopmast having been broken and a sail carried away. The steamer anchored and remained there until daylight, when she proceeded back to Baltimore, but on arrival there she was ordered to continue her voyage to Liverpool. Even at Baltimore the name of the vessel coaid not be ascertained while the steamer was there, bat when seen before the collision she-appeared to be a large United States built schooner, probably about 400 tons. She had two masts, and at the time of the collision she was proceeding at a smart pace under full canvas. Several persons were seen on deck, but the number of the crew was of course not known to those on board the steamer, though it was conjectured that she would have at least six or eight hands.