Evening Telegram, 1922-10-03 page 4.
Strathcona Lost.
GRENFELL MISSION BOAT SINKS OFF CABOT ISLAND.
After a period of usefulness extending over 20 years, the Grenfell Mission steamer “Strathcona” sank yesterday, only a few miles off Cabot Island. The crew of six were taken off by the schooner “Grace,” Capt. S. Roberts, and were landed at St. John’s this morning. They have saved most of their belongings and are at present quartered at the Seamen’s Institute.
SPRANG A LEAK.
The story of the wreck was given to the Telegram by Mate Stephen Pelley. The “Strathcona” left St. Anthony last Tuesday, bound for Bay Roberts where she was to lay-up for the winter. Green Bay was crossed in a raging sea, which beat against the sides of the ship so fiercely that she sprang a leak and large quantities of water poured into her. Twillingate was reached on Tuesday night and on the following morning the ship left for Seldom. The leak was not then so bad as it had been. Seldom was reached on Thursday morning, and the steamer remained there over Sunday.
WATER IN ENGINE ROOM.
Leaving Seldom yesterday morning the “Strathcona” had barely gone 10 miles when the water began to rush in at a rapid rate. Two schooners were sighted ahead, one of them being the “Grace,” and the steamer was kept on a close course near both. The wind dropping, however, she forged ahead leaving the “Grace” about 3 miles astern. By this time the water was pouring into the engine room over the long boots of Chief Engineer Stiles, and he was compelled to shut the engines off. There were also five feet of water in the forward saloon. Attempts were made to bail out the water with buckets and the engine pumps were also set going, but the water came in faster than the pumps could control the inrush.
CREW TAKEN OFF.
All the canvas was then hauled off and the steamer hove to, while Capt. Simms went on board the “Grace” in a dory and brought Capt. Roberts of the schooner on board the leaking ship. Roberts advised the “Strathcona’s” master to abandon his ship and the crew were immediately ordered to get their clothes together and take to the dory. The ship’s log and compass were also salved, but $150 in cash was left behind by the captain. Within half an hour after the “Strathcona’s” crew had boarded the “Grace,” the steamer settled down and sank stern first. Everything possible for the comfort of the “Strathcona’s” crew was done by Captain Roberts.
THE “STRATHCONA.”
The “Strathcona” was presented to the Grenfell Mission in 1900 by Lord Strathcona. She was built in 1899 at Dartmouth, and from the time of her arrival in this country she has given splendid service. She was 90 feet long, her gross tonnage being 84, net 21. She will be a great loss to the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.