ARAGO NEW FOUNDLAND TREPASSAY BAY SHIP RECK

HISTORY OF SHIPWRECKS

STEAMER ARAGO, TREPASSAY BAY, NEW FOUNDLAND

St. Johns, New Foundland, July 1, 1859 :

All of the passengers aboard the Steamer Arago which wrecked in Trepassay Bay, have arrived at St. Johns safe. The tug is out again today to pick up the crew and whatever can

be saved from the wreck.

Between 3 and 4 am Tuesday, The Arago had made Cape Pine, 12 miles off the coast,

all hands were called to the deck at the sight of land. The Arago's course was changed to

SE by E to clear her 15 miles off Cape Race. Just a bit after 4 am a dense fog came up

and at 5:30 a m the captain spoke a fishing schooner to ask their location and was told they

were 2 miles out on the east side of Trepassey Bay.

The Captain ordered the helm to be put hard port, engines full speed and the vessel kept

SSE to take them clear of any land. All hands were still on deck and the helmsman gave a

'steady as she go' report.

At that very moment, breakers were seen, engines ordered 'reverse' full speed, but before

the Arago got 'sternway' her bow hit rocks on Fresh Water Point, eight miles out.

Arago's life boats were lowered and got ready, passengers embarked with but slight

confusion, the women and children going off first.

Anchors were payed out, coal overboard, as were the front boilers, and all efforts made

to get her off he rocks without avail. The captain sent the pilot to Trepassey for assistance

and two steamers, Dauntless and Blue Jacket , were dispatched immediately. The Arago's

sails were sent ashore for tents to protect her passengers .

Local fishermen plundered the Arago, cut her mast, and totally skinned her. That afternoon

at 4 the ship filled, fell on her beam end and sank in 6 fathoms of water, taking passengers baggage to the bottom with her. At 5 pm that evening the pilot returned with word that two St. Johns steamers were on their way a assist the passengers on shore sheltered in the sails tent with a tolerable degree of comfort to St. Johns. Police and soldiers were sent to recover

the stolen property from the fishermen and any salvage made.

The passengers and crew are all quartered and cared for in St, Johns, to be sent on as

arrangements are made.

Abstract: Holmes County Republican, Ohio , Thursday, July 7, 1859