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caused an error in calculating the force of the current. She was then swept upon the reef. The guns and much of the equip— ment were saved through the work of the Northampton, §g§g_and the Charger. The weather grew worse and the ship was too bad— ly damaged for it to be salvaged. 86
The ship had four hundred officers, and men on board. They landed safely but they had lost most of their clothing and effects. A doctor on board delivered Hrs. Walter Fisher, her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Daniel John MacDonald, asked him what his fee would be and he replied, "Name her Mary Ellen Phoenix Mac Donald." 87 A newspaper account stated that the men on board were lodged at the MacInnis factory and in surrounding farm houses where they were warmly treated. They suffered greatly, however, by being exposed on deck to the fury of the gale from Tuesday night till Thursday. 88 Their presence brightened up East Point for that winter.89
A newspaper reported in late December that the ship had fallen apart and was "fast seeking lower regions". It further stated that only a few broken ribs could be seen at low tide.90
In 1885 a court determined that the accident was due to negligent navigation in determing the distance from the light. Commander Hubert Henry Grenfell, Lieut. John Hill and Gunner Joseph Meanett were all severely reprimanded.9l The Quebec J
Wrecking Co. bought the wrecked ship.92 During World War II
some of the Phoenix steel plates were salvaged for the war drive.