The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-05

ORoss OUTRAGE.-On monday eveniE =
5 when the Steamboat J. w. Richmond was
on her passage from Proyidenceio to this place,
just as she was passing by the steamboat
Rhode Island, Capt Seth Thayer, the course
Of the latter boat was suddenly changed,
: with the evident intention of running into,
and disabling the Richmond, by breaking
her main shaft. The commander Of the
4 II. ]. happily fell short of his aim, and the
speed of The Richmond prevented the con-
cussion from doing much damage to her.
Capt. Thaysr was himself at the wheel
of the Rhode Island, and was heard on
board the Richmond to call for help to turn
the wheel, which was done as quickly as
possible, and the X. I. came into the Rich
nond In consequence.
This outrage calls for the severest ami
Inadyersion which can be bestowed on the
author OF it, as BY his conduct he periled
the lives OF large number Of persons. and
although his intentions were frustrated, he
ought to be punished for the attempt, to the
extent of the law. A contemporary editor,
IN noticing similar outrage, expressed an
opinion with which we fully coincide, that
the Captain of the boat whose safety and
that OF his passengers was so endangered,
would be justified in shooting down the per-
sons at the wheel of the boat committing
such outrage. Public opinion, at any rate,
will reprobate such coaduct and Capt.
Thayer, if he escapes the sting of his own
conscience, may learn that it cannot be de-
fed with impunity.
We have spoken strongly and freely with
regard to this affair, as we know the facts
of the case the junior editor Of this paper
being on board the Richmond at the time.
and close observer Of the proceedings on
board both boats. The Richmond wa.
steering straight course by the II. l., at
least. 90 yards from her, uhen her passen-
gers cheertd, and the X. ]. instantly ching
ed her course, and before the Richmond
could get out of her way, was struck Just
abait the whee-house on the arboard side.
The passengers as soon as they had got
over their fright, (Which caused some of The
ladies TO faint called meeting in the cab
in, and the following statement of the out
rage wns made, and signed by all who had
m opportunity before the boat arrived here.
WHEREAS the steamer Rhode-Islnnd,
commanded by Capt. Seth Tbayer, bore
down upon the J. w. Richmond on her
passage from Providence this afternoon.
with the appearance of a disposi,ion to
break the shaft (without doing other dam
age than to shatter the side houses) and
thereby disable the Richmond, (therc being
four men including the Capt at the wheel
OF the X. I.) and rs there was no other
cause for 1t than that the Richmond was
proceeding quietly but little faster on her
course, We, passengers in the J. w. r.,
hereby express our unequivocal belief that
such course was prompted by any 9th,
than gen,lemnnly or christian like motives.
On board S. B. J, w. Richmond, Dec. Sd, 1888.
Charles A. Elliot, Boston, Mass.
Charles Lane, do.
John M. c. Motley, do.
d. Clapp, do.
Charles G. Fox, do.
Edward ClapP. do.
Martin $. Stetson. Arlington. Mass.
John Mason, Milford, Mass.
Ira X. Bickford, do.
Adam Chaplin. do.
f. Daniels, do.
Dudley Boyden, Oldham, Mass.
}. NJ. Western, Hopkington, do.
ID. Blake, Wrentham, Mass.
Christopher Cannon, Taunton.
Benz. 4. Shaw, Fall River, Mass.
Joseph Roach, New Bedford, do.
Ezra Dodge, Providence, RI.
James Shearman, do.
W. w. Burr, do.
WIN. c. Tilley, Newport.
Arnold Draper, do.
j. Ii. Linley, do.
Daniel Il. Davis, do.
Charles r. Smith, do.
John W. Southack, New York. I
E. p. Trow. do.
Walter Robbins, do.
Augustus Foster, Philadelphia.
Benjamin ID. Goodwin, do.
A. 7. Dudley, Baltimore.
Many other persons added their names
(after the above list was copied,) which we
were unable to obtain, as they were sign
ing when the boat arrived and left here.
and the testimony of the whole number can
be adduced in corroboration of the above
statement.
l.iBkRALIrY.--It is stated in the Balti-
more American, that on application from
the Post Office Department the two rail.
road companies, whose lines extend to Bal
tItnore mud phiI.del,b,, h... II &