LOSS OF THE STEAMER LION: MOST SAD DISASTER

January 10, 1882

We have to record an awful marine disaster on our coast- the loss of the steamer LION belonging to Messrs. W. Grieve & B Company, with it is feared, all hands, supposed to number forty three persons, passengers and crew, the LION left here for Trinity last night (Thursday) which was a clear bright night, with wind and weather favourable. All was supposed to have gone well till Sunday last, Hon. Mr. Thornburn received a telegram from Hant's Harbour informing him that the body of Mrs. Cross, one of the passengers, portions of two boats with the name LION on them, and some casks and lumber had been picked up. This was tolerably conclusive as to the fate of the steamer and yesterday a further telegram saying there was no appearance of the LION at her destination placed the loss beyond all doubt. How it occurred is yet entirely a matter of conjecture – some say the ship must have struck Grates Point; others think an explosion must have taken place. But no hope being entertained that any one on board survived, we are likely never to know the complete story of one of the saddest and most fearful losses that have taken place on our shores within living memory. The following is a list of passengers: Rev. Mr. Foster and wife; Mr. and Mrs. J. Snelgrove; Mrs. John Cross; Miss Newhook; Miss Coleman; Mr. John Janes; Mr. G. Nagle; Mr. James Grant; Mr. John Doherty and son; Mr. Edward Doherty; Miss. Watkins; Mrs. James and son; Mr. Charles Power and Miss. Mary Bayley.

Friday, January 13, 1882

No clue has yet been obtained to the awful mystery of the loss of the steamer LION and her forty three passengers. It seems most improbable indeed that we shall ever know anything worth knowing in addition to the melancholy facts already before us, for no one has survived to tell how the unfortunate ship came to her fate. That on a bright night with fair weather, a sound well equipped and well commanded ship could have gone down, with all on board, in a place of which her master had a thorough knowledge, is a fearful and so far an incomprehensible truth. Even the sad gratification of once seeing the remains of their loved ones has, in all but one instance, that of Mrs. Cross, been denied the friends and relatives of those who were on board. Needless to say the houses of mourning are very many; and however universal the sympathy, their grief is sure to be of that nature to which human consolation can afford no immediate balm. The arrival of the CABOT from the northward yesterday, which was expected with much anxiety, has brought no intelligence of importance. We further learn only that even the Light House people at Baccalieu knew nothing whatever of the disaster that took place in their immediate neighbourhood until they learned the tidings from the CABOT. Some trunks and one or two other articles have been picked up, and this comprises all that has been yet recovered from the deep.

From The Newfoundlander, January 10 and 13, 1882

January 17, 1882

Tuesday a traveler from Old Perlican arrived here Sunday afternoon, and brings the intelligence that several small boats were out on Friday last, gunning, and that some of them that went over to the Baccalieu side of the Tickle discovered the hull of the unfortunate steamer LION, bottom up a few hundred yards to the north west of Puffin Island.

From the Mercury of Yesterday

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