Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-18

ton, we were unwilling witnesses TO one OF the
most painful scenes conceivable. When of
the point of land called Naet Point, some one
from the bow of the boat, exc claimed, that there
was sail boat hard by, and called upon the
Pilot 10 port his helm, lest he run down the be-
nighted craft To this, the pilot paid no atten-
tion, and it is most likely that he did not hear,
or understand,th the cries Of the informant but al
tended to his own busine SIS, till the cry of dan
ger became general through the boat, and
each one expected to behold the wretched in
mates Of the sail boat, launched into eternity
At this moment, Captain Robert s.. Bunker,
the commander Of the Fult on, ordered her to
be stopped, which order was promptly Obeyed;
but it was then too late, and in a moment the
two vessels came in contact, with crash, and
for moment each passenger stood in breath
less anxiety to learn the fate of the unfortunate
companions Of tho sail boat. In a moment,
waters, which assured us that all was not lost;
and the Captain ofthe Fulton lowered his small
boats, and fastened to the relief Of the suffer-
ers; and we are rejoced to say, that all Of
them were saved, though the boat was nearly
filed with water, and the mast broken off near
the deck. For the occurrence Of this accident
no blame can be attached to Captain Bunker,
or to the officers and men under his command,
and its occurrence, cannot be Justly attributed
to any other cause, than the darkness of the
night, and the difficulty Of steering from indis-
tinct objects. But there was another thing
occurred, for which Captain Bunker is entitled
TO unequvocal censure and apprehension; and
for the sake Of his feelin gs, we could wish
that our duty did not compel us to speak of il.
Within thirty or forty feet, of the wrecked boat,
there was another, of similar description, on
board of which were three men and six women,
one of whom had sick infant at her breast.
When the boat, which was sailing in company
with them, was dashed against the sides of the
Fulton, the women were thrown into state Of
CONSERVATION, not easily described, and from
their extreme terror, were in danger Of oveI-
turning the boat and it was with difficulty,
that the men could command them. Rowing
under the stern of the Fulton, the men begged
permission to come along side, and to place
the females on board for safety; but as for
themselves, they asked not the aid Of any one,
and were prepared TO take care Of the boat
themselves. Only let ne women come on
board, said they, and we are satisfied. The
aormrndcr of tie Fulton, being then absent,
n pursuit Of The wrecked boat, the request of
the mc' ccuo nc; ne complied with, but they
| ycre told to come along side, and as soon as
tic commander # the steam boat returned, he
onin Jn,oub.-3., receive the females on board
n he Fulton. ~ few moments the clerk
appeared ano gsv";,n men permission to place
ne fe,nqles On tca-d oe tho Fulton; and at the
instGu, that thsy as,o bout 10 leave their frail
hrrqnc, and en,or the steam boat. the Captain
| returned, ard rowing alongside, bade the boat
be of, and ordered bis sailors to push her away,
and hoist up the pinnace. Thus, disappoint-
ei, and left to the mercy of the elements, in a
1ide bay, some miles from the land, the fe-
males became almost despair stricken, and in
,he most p;teous tones, prayed the Captain to
p;o:cct .hen; and for the sake Of my dear
oabe, said one of them, pray you Captain,
no. TO deny us. The men offered any reward
;hat might be demanded, if the females were
conveyed to town; and each and every passen-
ger was ready to contribute to the payment of
| ary expense they might be at, if received on
board of the Fulton. The female passengers
joined in the general wish, but all would not
do; nor could the cries of an infant child, cx-
posed to damp, cold atmosphere, in an open
boat;-the supplications of mother, the earn
est entreaties Of the females, the offers Of tho
mon, or the opportunities of the passengers,
move the commander Of the Fulton; and or
dering the wheels to be put in motion, he made
no reply 10 any one; and we proceeded on our
passage, leaving the unhappy sufferers to their
fate; six females, and an infant child to be ex-
posed TO the chill airs of the Heavens, and to
seel succour where it was to be found.
We are not disposed to give any false col
orings or tints to the transa ction, which we re-
cord more in sorrow than in anger; we state
facts, simply as they stand, and for the correct
ness of them, We appeal to every passenger on
board Of the Fulton.
We do not think that any apology can be
offered that will in the least palliate the conduct
of Captain Bunker, though we are aware that
fatigued with the labors ofa tedious passage,
and grown fretful, in consequence of meet
ing with unavoidable delays, which had depriv-