From The Enterprise January 30, 1909
Steamer Nantucket of the N.B., M. V. & N. (New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket) Steamboat Co. went ashore on the westerly side of Nobska point in the dense fog last Saturday morning. A small hole was punched in the forward part of the steamer’s hull, letting in the water that filled the hold so that the main deck was flush with the sea. The baggage and freight aboard were taken off the steamer after the few passengers had been transferred to the mainland. There were only eight or ten passengers, including a woman and child, on board, and they were taken off without danger. The Nantucket was on her way into Woods Hole on her regular trip from Nantucket when she struck about 10:30 o’clock. The hole in the hull was not so large as to cause the steamer to fill rapidly and there was plenty of time for everyone to get to a place of safety before the steamer settled appreciably. Captain Furber sighted the beach just before the steamer struck and was sheering out when the crunching sound under the hull showed the steamer had struck. It was while trying to get farther off shore that the steamer struck, so that when she sunk the bow pointed away from the shore.
The lighter Hope of the Boston Tow Boat Co. was brought from Vineyard Haven by the revenue cutter Acushnet to stand by the steamer and lend assistance, but there was little need of her, since- the steamer’s small boats were able to transfer about all the movable effects on the Nantucket.
The steamer was raised Monday afternoon, without much trouble, and towed into the railroad dock (Woods Hole) where temporary repairs were made. On Wednesday the Nantucket proceeded to New Bedford under her own steam and will be taken to New London to haul out on the dry dock for repairs. The damages to the steamer are not considered very extensive.
