Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-10-27
LOSS OF THE STEAM PACKET WILL.
LIAM GIBBONS.

LiAM DlbbONS.
This packet left New York on the 9th
instant, for Charleston, with a large
number Of passengers, male and female,
and on the morning Of the 10Th was driv-
en- on shore on Boddy's Island, on the
coast of North Carolina. The Norfolk
Herald Of Monday las, contains the fol-
lowing particulars Of this disaster:--"We
last evening converscd with three of the
passengers Of the steam packet William
Gibbons, viz: NIessrs. N. w. Holman
and J. H. Vincent, of Alabama, and
Hugh II. Holloway, Of Augusta, Geo.
who arrived in the Elizabeth City stage.
They informed us that the w. G. under
the temporary command Of Captain
Halsey, (her regular commander, Cap
tain Spinney, being left sick in New
York, left New York on Saturday af-
ternoon, bound TO Charleston with I4O
passengers, among whom were 80 ladies'
aud Id children--that on Monday morn
ing, the wind blowing fresh from N. E.
the packet struck, and it was then per-
ceived that she was in the midst Of
breakers, in which situation she re
mained humping until daylight, when
they saw the land about two hundred
yards ahead, which proved to be the
south point Of Boddy's Island, at the
mouth Of New Inlet. The Captain then
set the engine to work to back her off,
but only succeeded in shifting her posi-
ton to the Inlet, where she was forced
up by the wind and breakers into two
feet water and biIged. OF the passen-
gers, one hundred and sixteen, including
the ladies' and children, succeeded in
getting on shore with their baggage, the
remainder preferring to remain on board.
Those who landed made to a house
about three miles of, on Pea Island,
which they found to be uninhabited, hut
which afforded them shelter during the
tremendous storm Of Tuesday, though
they suffered much from want of provis-
ions and water. The next day,
"wednesday they all returned to the
beach, except our intorman,s, who hired
an oyster boat to take them to Elizabeth
City. They understood that the other
passengers had chartered two schooners
to take them on to Charleston. We also
learn from them that two schooners, said
To be from New York, bound to the
South, went ashore during the gale Of
Tuesday, on Cape Hatteras.
| In addition to the above the N. Y.
Gazette, of fTuesday, relates on authority
Of Mr.. Lake, Engineer Of the Gibbons
who arrived in New York on Sunday
last
: That the passengers were landed at
two O'Clock on the afternoon Of Monday,
and the baggage on Wednesday. Capt
Halsey went ashore on Thursday, and
preserved the most valuable effects Of
the packet, including her papers, &c.
and returned to her on Saturday. He
is still at the Inlet saving all which can
be reclaimed for the interest Of whom it
may concern. MIR. Lake returns this
morning with instructions from the
owners to render, in conjunction with
capt. Halsey, capt. Spinney, and capt.
Schenck, Of the Walter II. Jones, all
necessary assistance for the preservation
Of the boat The two latter gentlemen
sailed hence on Saturday, provided with
every article Tor that purpose. Mr..
Lake has little doubt that whatever may
he the final result Of the exertions using
for her preservation, the engine and all
belonging to It except the boilers, will
be saved. The passengers had all left
for Charleston by different routes, and
the best conveyances which could be
procured.
ASTONISHING DIscovERIEs. At the late