Page:New Brunswick Magazine Issue 1.djvu/103

John river. Of the forward passengers, those lost were four men, nine women and ten children. Several of the women, despairing of rescue, threw their children into the sea and jumped after them. One woman swam twice around the steamer before she sank and was drowned.

Among the St. John men who were saved were several whose names were well known in later years, including Andrew Garrison, Captain John Hammond, John Ansley, George Eaton, James H. Fowler, and W. H. Harrison. Stinson Patten, of Fredericton, was also among the saved. Of this number the only survivor is Mr. William H. Harrison, now in his 86th year, who is a resident of Sackville, N. B. When the account before referred to was published in 1896, Mr. Harrison expressed his satisfaction at the accuracy of it, and the Sackville Post gave some of his personal recollections of this disaster. Mr. Harrison was in his 24th year at the time of the memorable calamity, and had taken passage for Portland as the shortest way of reaching Upper Canada. While the steamer was burning he made several attempts to construct a raft, but failing in the effort he made himself fast to the stern of the vessel as far as he could get from the flames. Others availed themselves of the same means of safety, and. among them was Alexander Black, of Pugwash, N. S. This was probably the mate, whose name appears in the list as Francis Black. While the only remaining boat of the Royal Tar was transferring the imperilled passengers to the U. S. cutter, the burning steamer was drifting rapidly out to sea. Messrs. Harrison and Black had to cling to it nearly three hours before they were rescued.

In addition to the loss of the steamer and cargo, a large amount of money in bills and specie was destroyed in the fire. There was no insurance on the vessel or