|
How the Effie M. Was Lost The Effie M. left Seldom Come By at daylight Wednesday morning, in company with the schooner Nelson. Theophilum Hart, master; Mistletoe, John Loder, master. The weather was threatening and the Effie was first to leave the harbor. Capt Hart of Nelson remarked to his crew when the anchors were weighed. “It’s almost too bad to leave, but if the Effie can manage it, we’re sure to.” About sixty other vessels remained behind in Seldom. The Nelson and Effie were close together until Copper Island was reached. When dark came on both ships were still in company. The Nelson made Grates Cove Point about 10 p.m.; shortly before that the Effie was sighted on the Nelson’s quarter. The Nelson was making terrible weather, being almost continuously under water, and her captain was lashed to the wheel. She was running along under a “skirt” of a double-reefed foresail, and just barely rounded Grates Cove Point, sighted Bacalieu Light and successfully navigated the Tickle, and ran up Conception Bay. The Effie was about three miles astern, and was running to get through Bacalieu Tickle, but in the darkness the distance was misjudged, and she struck on Red Head, which is almost a perpendicular cliff. Judging from the time the Nelson passed Bacalieu, the Effie struck about ten Wednesday night. Where she went ashore is such a bold spot that even in daylight the crew would scarcely have a fighting chance for their lives.
Daily News Sept 24, 1907 |