Maritime mystery's new chapter

Boston Globe ^ | 8/29/2002 | Beth Daley

[robowombat]

It has been called ''New England's Titanic.'' The luxury steamship Portland sank in Massachusetts Bay in 1898, killing all aboard - 192 people, by some estimates - and launching a century-long search for the vessel's remains.

Today, researchers are expected to announce they have found the Portland lying beneath 460 feet of water between Cape Cod and Cape Ann.

[robowombat]

For once an interesting and unbiased story in the globe. Of course its about an event over a century old.

[TC Rider]

I'm amazed they didn't use the headline,

Passenger Liner Sinks in 1898, Minorities hurt Worst

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Ted Kennedy didit.

[KeyBored]

"I'm amazed they didn't use the headline,

Passenger Liner Sinks in 1898, Minorities hurt Worst"

Not so amazing - maybe the Republicans weren't in charge in 1898.

[Consort]

...SS Portland: The Ship of Doom.

[Constitution Day]

No one really knows how many lives were lost - the only passenger list went down with the ship. So many African-Americans from Portland were working on the steamer when it sank - 30 to 40 - that the shipwreck also helped destroy Portland's oldest African-American organization, according to John Rousmaniere, in his book ''After the Storm: True Stories of Disaster and Recovery at Sea.''

Fascinating article!
I just read Rousmaniere's book. You may also find it of interest.

FRegards,
CD

[Consort]

...maybe the Republicans weren't in charge in 1898.

Republican McKinley was President and the Spanish American War was faught that year. Maybe the Cubans sank the ship as retalliation and "Remember the Maine and the Portland" will become a new slogan.