The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-11-16

ANOTHER ACCIDENT AND Loss OF LiFE
has occurred, by the contact Of the steam
boat Rhode-Island and the sloop Eliza
Nichols. bound from New-York to New
Bedford, on Monday evening, 7ih inst. The
following statement Of the circumstances Is
made by number of gentlemen, who were
passengers in the Rhode-lsl4nd-two Of
Them, II will be perceived belong 10 this
town -
About half-past six o'clock, p. NJ the
steamboat being off Watch Hill, steering to
the westward, the pilot discovered sloop
nearly ahead, running eastward before the
wind he Immediately put the boats helm
hard to port and stopped the engine. Capt.
Thayer, who was IN the cabin AT supper
with the passengers, sprung on deck, hailed
the sloop, and requested that the helm
should be put hard down" This was
done, but too late to prevent the vessels
/ from coming together. The sloop struck
the boat forward of the wheel-hoase, ran
her bowsprit into the kitchen, swung round
with violence, drove her main boom through
the steamers quarter, where 1t broke of
and remained.
The vessels then separated, and the sloop
! filled, fell over on her side, and sunk nearly
/ to the waters edge. Capt. Thayer instant
| ly lowered his boats and proceeded to rem
der all assistance to those on board the
sloop, consisting Of the crew and five pas
sengers, three of Them ladies. The sloop
was found with only small part of her
larboard quarter above water, from which
the crew and male passengers were taken.
The females were fortunately below, two of
them in the larboard and one in the star
board state-room. The compauion-way
being under water, no access could be had
to the cabin but by cutting through the lar
board quarter, which was done with all pos
sible expedition, and two of the females
were taken out alive the other being IN the
| starboard state-roOm, was undoubtedly
drowned at the momeat the slOOp upset, as
all that par of the vessel was entirely i'm
mersed.
The Captain of the sloop stated, " that
previous TO the accident, he had discovered
one steamboat, (the Cleopatra, which was
Little on the Rhode-lsland's starboard
quarter) a short distance off, and not being
aware that two boats were to be expected,
was not looking out for another; and his
people being employed taking in the "square
sail" did not see the Rhode Island, until
Capt. Thayer hailed. He entirely exoner-
ated all on board the steamer from blame,
and expressed himself fully satisfied that
every possible effort was made to avoid the
accident, and to render assistance after it
had occurred. In this opinion the under
signed fully concur, and think that great
praise is due to Capt. Thayer, and those
belonging to the Rhode-Island, for the
prompt and judlcious exertions that we;e
made on this unfortunate occasion. The
undersigned cannot omit an expression of
their appreciation of the conduct of Capt.
Reynolds, of the " Cleopatra" who, though
commanding rival boat, promptly hove too
and rendered every possible aid. Captain
Thayer went into New-London, and land
ed Capt. Howard ofthe sloop, to enable him
to go promptly. in pursuit of the wreck, up
on which two lanterns had been placed.
The names of the passengers saved were
Miss Nancy Howland, Miss Rightington,
Mr.. Rowland, and Mr. Swift. Mrs. 4.
How land of New Bedford, was drowned.
VIM. Sturgis, Joseph Huneman,
Crawford Alien, Chester Huntington,