Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-14
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.

| 81. augustine, Nor. l5.-On Friday
last, lieuts. Brown and Garfield, OF the
United States Army, crossed the bar
at this place, in the Garrison barge,
manned by six soldiers, to visit the
U S. Revenue Gutter Marion, Capt.
Doane, then lying at anchor outside;
they crossed the bar in safety, went on
board the Gutter and remained there
till about half pat /, when they set
out to return; during their stay III the
Cutter the wind had increased consid-
erably, and the. tide being ebb and OPP
posed TO The wind, raised SC great sea
on the bar that it broke quite across
the channel; they, however, attempted
to re-cross, but unfortunately heavy
breaker struck the boat, which broach-
ed her to the wind, and before she could
be again got before it, she filled and
capsized; they were all precipita,ed in
to the sea. 1t. Garfield here ran an
imminent risk Of Losing his life, by one
Of the soldiers having seized him round
the neck, and in spite of all his exer-
tons holding him SO tightly as nearly
to drown him; he however, fortunately
reac he'd the boat, ard with much exer-
ton, induced the man to loose his hold
the whole party chung to the boat, till
they were again precipitated from her
by the breakers, which constantly roll
led her over and over; they had, too,
the modification TO observe that they
were fast drifting to sea; ray ofhope
now seized them, on observing the
Cutter to get under way, and stand di-
rectly for them, but this was of shor,
duration, for the Gutter passed, with
out taking any notice of them They
now gave up all expectations Of saving
themsel' Is, but determined to survive
as long as possible; the great exertion,
however, of holding to the BOAT, Of be-
ing constantly washed from her, and
being one half the time submerged by
the breakers, exhausted their strength
so rapidly that within one or two hours,
five poor fellows Of their number, Pri-
Yates Nlmlock, Brown, Nudge, Peck
and Pendegrass, one after the other,
sunk to rise no more; the survivors
had now to contend with extreme cold,
which almost overcame them; they
howe, err, had the satisfaction to observe
that the tide had changed and was drift
ting them rapidly towards land, now
about one and a half miles distant; "a
bout sunset Lieut.. Brown became so
overcome with the cold as to be entire
" insensible: he however unconsci-
ously chung to the boat, which drifted
ashore ear the light house, about o.
clock in the evening, five & an half
hours after having capsized; Lieut..
Brown was now completely helpless
and insensibIe: Lieut. Garfield and
private Barrett, though very much ex-
haustcd were able TO walk to the Light
house; assistance was speedily sent 10
Lieut. Brown: he was carried to the
light house, where he received medi-
cal assistance and in about two hours
was restored to himself
The Albany Daily Advertiser states,
that the Canal tolls will amount TO at
least FIVE hundred thousand dollars this
season, The amount last year, was
$3.50, 1920; thus giving an increase to
this year of S2lo,6So.
NJ. Progress, who, in the year 1869,
was one OF the grooms OF the bed cham
bert to King Charles ii "died, says the
lie Ncue, December 3lst or January
Is, l7ls, aged, Sc, of the anguish of
cutting teeth, he having cut four new
teeth, and had several ready to CHI,
which SO inflamed his gums, that he
died thereof"
[Monumenta .Anglieana 1717. p. 273