Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13

We published last week statement
from the passengers in the steamboat
John W. Richmond, respecting the re-
C ent collision Of that boat with the
Rhode Island. We publish below, the
counter statement Of Capt. Thayer, of
The Rhode Island. The public have
now both sides. They can, of course,
decide for themselves, as to where the
blame properly belongs.
To the Editors ofhe Commercial .4lrertiser
H GgNTLEMEN-A statement contained in
your paper Of Tuesday evening, signed by
the passengers of the John w. Richmond,
respecting slight collision which took place
between that boat and the Rhode Island, un-
der my command, in the Providence river, on
Monday evening requires passing notice
from me. In performing this duty TO myself,
however, it is not my intention 10 utter a
word of harshness, or cay amy thing that may
cause irritation.
H The formidable array of names appended
TO the statement from the Richmond, is cal
culated to make an unfavorabe impression
touching tho conduct OF the Rhode Island,
but they have added their names in utter g-
norancc Of the facts. Inderd il is quite i'm.
possible TINT the passengers on boald Of
boat under such circumstances, can oflen be
correctly informed.
/ The following simple narrative Of the facts
of the transaction, will only show how wide
the truth is the statement of the John w.
Richmond, but ON whose shoulders blame
ought to fall -
Il On the departure Of the boats from Prov.
dence on Monday evening, the Rhode Island
left The wharf from 3 to 5 minutes ahead of
the J. w. Richmond. We proceeded on our
way down the river, the Richmond nstern,
until off Bulock's Point, seven miles below
Providence, when the Richmond came up to
within twice her length fthe Rhode Island,
on tho larboard quarter. Perceiving as ]
suppose, that they would be along side of US
in passing the Point, the Richmond shecrcd
over on eur other quarter, and came up on the
starboard side Of the Rhode Island, to within
sixty or seventy feet of us-leaving Us but a
narrow space from the land, while the Rich
mond had from half to three fourlhs Of mile
on the sarboard side to clear US. After pas
sing us about enc third Of her length, per-
ccived the Rhode Island 10 be inching toward
the Richmond, caused, Us I supposed, by the
!
sing. | was standing in the whccl-house at
the time, with two mcn-not four, as stated
viz. the pilot, and one wheel man. There
was indeed passenger standing by us, but
he ofcourse had nothing to do with the work
ing oflhe boat. Perceying the difficulty in
which by the sheering Of the Richmond, the
action OF the water was likely to involve Us,
took hold of the wheel, assisted by the pilot
and wheelman above mentioned, and in
stead Of putting The helm do,on as stated by
the passengers of the Richmond, born IL hard
orer 10 Stdr60drd To prevent the apprchcnded
collislon-observlng to the pilot OF the same
( time, "tlat We must hcave hard over or we
shall be aloul Of her" Notwithstanding all
our excrtions 10 prevent it, however, the
boats came slightly in contact, but not with
sufficient force to cause any essential dam
age upon either side. Our engine was i'm
mediately stopped, and the Richmond pro-
ceeded on her way. Had the helm of the
Rhode Island been ''p,a do,cn," as stated, it is
impossible to tell how extensively both boats
might have been damaged by the shock.
/ The design OF the statement from the
Richmond, is to create the impression that
it was my intention to run the Rhode Island
into that boat. Such thought never enter
ed my mind. On the contrary, did every
thing that was possible to avert such catas-
,rophc, while, on the other hand, notwth-
standing she had plenty Of sea. room, the
Richmond threw herselfin into n position which
rendered actual contact unavoidable. The
opinion on board Of the Rhode Island was
universal, that the object Of the Richmond,
which is the fastest boat, was to run along
side of IFS, and greet us with three cheers Of
exu;tation on taking the lead.
| SETH TIIAYER.
New York, Dec. 5, 1893.