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Page 24. MAINE COASTAL NEWS March 2013


HISTORY FROM THE PAST - Disaster at Mount Desert Ferry 7 August 1899 Maritime History


Continued from Page 22.


assistance was possible. Besides County Attorney Bunker,


Sheriff L. F. Hooper, Coroner D. L. Fields of Ellsworth, and Chas. Drummey, Esq., one of the Maine Central’s attorneys, were early on the scene and after consulting with Gen. Supt. McDonald and Div. Supt. White, began an investigation.


Coroner Fields empanelled the following jury: Wm. F. Grant, S. C. Moore, Nelson Stewart, Jas. Butler, and Geo. W. Goggins of Hancock, and Henry Eppes of Ellsworth.


The Bluffs a Hospital. The handsome hotel, The Bluffs, Bemis & Cuddy, managers, although fi lled with guests was turned into a temporary hospital. In nearly every room at one time in the afternoon were from one to three of the rescued people. Visitors willingly gave up their rooms and all turned to help in the life saving. At one time it was estimated that there were over 60 persons in the house and all of them received good care and every attention.


Messrs. Bemis and Cuddy were indefatigable in their efforts to make all the sufferers comfortable. Immediately after the accident, Mr. Cuddy, who was on the wharf at the time and who succeeded in saving several lives, sent messengers to the house for cotbeds, blankets and sheets and also gave directions for dispensing stimulants. At the hotel the servants were in waiting to receive the patients and to prepare their beds. Extra hot fires were built in the kitchens for heating coffee and water and to furnish warmth for those just out of the


water. Everything was given over to the


sufferers and everything possible was none by Messrs. Bemis and Cuddy. The rescued ones all spoke in high praise of the landlords and of the guests. The lives of not a few people were saved by the generosity and thoughtfulness of the hotel men. The Guests Worked Hard. The guests at the resort who gave over their rooms to those who were rescued could not do too much to relieve them of their suffering. All willingly assisted in the work attending to the men and women who were suffering from their stay in the water. Among those who were especially energetic in caring for the victims were Capt. and Mrs. Henry N. Fairbanks and Miss Fairbanks, Mrs. W. L. Miller, Mrs. J. M. Oak, Mrs. E. C. Ryder, Mrs. Irene Stratton and Miss Stratton, Freeland H. Libbey and Gen. and Mrs. Jos. S. Smith.


Some of the Life Savers.


Dozens of Bangor people assisted in the saving of lives; many of them performed feats that were nothing short of heroic and some of the deeds incurred a great risk of life to the rescuers.


Among those who distinguished themselves was Corey Tingley, who is employed by Fred T. Hall, the grocer, Tingley showed great heroism and rescued nine persons, unaided. He was in the water from the time the accident happened until 12 o’clock.


Chas. McAvey, of 178 Date Street, who was formerly a traveling salesman for J. A. Boardman & Co., and who was severely injured in the railroad wreck at Orono two


years ago, also behaved with conspicuous bravery and coolness. He was near the scene of the accident and was among the most prominent of the band of men who were actually engaged in the work of rescuing the victims, Mr. McAvey succeeded in getting 20 men and women out of the water alive. Ross Greene, who is well-known in


Bangor, is staying at the Bluffs and did good work, several lives being put down to his credit.


Who the Victims Are. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bennett.


Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bennett, who were both drowned, lived at 27 Pleasant Street; they came to this city about two years ago from Massachusetts. He was employed at the Maine Central western station as night baggageman. So far as is known their relatives all live in Massachusetts. Division Supt. White, on Monday, was trying to reach their friends. Their bodies are at Abel Hunt’s rooms where they will remain until orders are received in regard to their disposition. They were both about 30 years of age. Mrs. Alonzo P. Oakes.


Mrs. Alonzo P. Oakes, of 260 Ohio Street, was the wife of Alonzo P. Oakes, a well-known clothing salesman employed by Chapman Clothing Co. She was about 35 years of age. Besides her husband she leaves a son and a brother, Lester P. Wiley, the Hammond Street clothier. Miss Grace Rena Sumner. Miss Grace Rena Sumner, of 228 York Street, one of the youngest of the victims, was the daughter of Mrs. Chas. Sumner, of 228 York Street. She was 15 years and 11 months of age and was a graduate of Shaw’s


Business College. She was a young woman of unusual ability and was to take a position as stenographer on Monday. Among other accomplishments she was a sweet singer and has frequently been heard here. Miss Elizabeth A. Ward. Miss Elizabeth A. Ward, who lived in the rear of 44 May Street, was the 19 year old daughter of Mrs. Mary and the late Andrew Ward. She had many friends, having been a great favorite with all her associates. Mrs. Geo. H. Derwent.


Mrs. Lillian Sleeper Derwent, was the wife of Geo. H. Derwent, a news agent employed on the Maine Central trains running out of Bangor, and lived at 17 Walter Street. She was the daughter of John W. Sleeper and was a young woman greatly beloved by all her friends. She had been married only about 11 months. Besides her husband she leaves her father, J. W. Sleeper, and one sister, Mrs. Everard Clough, of Ellsworth Falls. Mr. Derwent, who had a narrow escape from death, was separated from his wife by a plank which was thrown from the wharf. Upon being parted from her husband Mrs. Derwent sank almost instantly. Joseph Murphy.


Joseph Murphy, of Old Town, who is well known in Bangor, was among those drowned; he was born in Old Town in 1869 and was 30 years of age. He was engaged in various kinds of business and was a very capable young man. He is survived by a widow and one child, his father, John Murphy, two brothers, Thos. and John


Continued online at Page 26A. Work Progressing Despite Being Encased in the Ice


Work has been proceeding in the engines this fall and winter. The GM371 generator has been found to have a faulty generator and work has switched to getting the Cummins HR-6. A problem was discovered with the raw waterpump and now a new one is being searched for. Once this is up and running work will switch to the main engine, the Cleveland 16-278A.


SATURN is an 117-foot railroad tug built as the BERN for the Reading Railroad in 1907. She is one of the last railroad tugs and is being saved for future generations to enjoy. For more information: (207) 223-8846 or to join the Friends of SATURN, send a check for $25 or more to P.O. Box 710, Winterport, ME 04496.


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