Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-03-28
HERALD OF THE TINES.

ing call upon us this week, TO give
place in our columns to the following
statement from the Boston Times extra.
In copying it, we have only to remark,
that in regard to the enormity Of the
transaction itself, there can be but one
opinion-but whether the charge made
against the Directors Of the Boston and
New York Transportation Company, {,
that Of originating and perPotration of
the outrage, will be substantiated, re-
mains to be seen. We entertained the
opinion, that there were some men a
mong them who were incapable Of
sanctioning such proceedings.
From the Boston Times Extra.
ATTACK ON THE
STEAMBOAT J. w. RICHMOND.
ENDANGERING IT'S LIVES.
1t has seldom been our lot TO record
an outrage SO gross and malicious, as
the attempt made last night to run into
and cripple the Steamer J. w. Rich
mond.
We know not what the law may do TO
punish offenders Of this piratical charac-
ter, but we know that an appeal to pub
lie indig nation will moi be made ih vain.
Public justice will be administered to
the Proprietors Of the Boston and Ne,c
York Transportation Company, upon
whose wicked Directors we charge the
orig mating and perpetTation Of the out
rage.
Let the facts speak for themselves.
We left New York, in the John w.
Richmond at 5 o'clock yesterday after
noon, she had on board in all about l75
people. The Rhode Island, steamer
started at the same time, for the Ston-
ington route-ihe Lexington for the out
side having previously left. The Rich
mond having accidentally left two pas
sengers ashore hove to, and sent boat
to the wharf for them. During this
time the Rhode Island returned to her
wharf. In the mean time, the Steamer
Osceola Of one Of the North river line,
had been observed for half an hour or
more plying about the river 10 different
directions without any apparent object.
On Board OF the Osceola were Charles
Phillips, a large owner of the Transpor-
tation Company and VIM. Woolsey,
not long since the President Of the Bos-
ton and Providence Railroad, and a Di-
rector in the India Point company, and
one of :he Trustees Of the Transporta-
ton company. The Pilot ofMe Narra-
ganseH acted as Captain Of the Osceola,
and she was manned by the steward
crew and servants Of the .Naragansett,
and there were eight other persons on
board. A proprietor Of the Osceola was
on board the Richmond, who refused to
sign the statement and resolutions given
below but admitted that the Osceola
had been chartered by company,
though he refused 10 tell by what company.
This is necessary to explain what after
wards occurred.
When the Richmond had received
her passengers, aud again started on her
course, the Rhode Island also started
The Osceola, which had laid to, during
the time that the Richmond was waiting,
also came down little in the rear and
stood upon the larboard side OF the Rich
mond. The Rhode Island running close
upon her starboard quarter, and crowd
ing her in towards the Battery. Capt.
Townsend perceiving the rapid move
ment of the Osceola, first suspected foul
play, and da,ted from astern into the
Pilot house.
As the Richmond was rounding the
Battery, with the Rhode Island close
outside Of her, the Osceola with pow
erful head Of steam took the inside and
run into her upon the larboard bow just
forward Of the wheel house, giving her
a heavy shock, and scraping her side
badly. But the Richmond was SO
stauchIy built and heavily freighted that
she escaped without injury. The Os-
ceola rebounded and keeled over from
the shock but Immediately righted and
ag ain rushed bows on, striking the Rich
mond on her larboard quarter, just abalt
the wheel-house. The evident inte ntion
being on the part of the assailants, that
the Rhode Island should prevent the
Richmond from running out into the
river, to keep her closer in TO the Bat
terry, and for the Osceola to rush in and
dash upon her so rs to smash the wheel
house, and cripple the wheel.
After this encounter, the Richmond
then moved ahead, and the Osceola shot
by under her stern, and passed by on
the starboard side. The Richmond at
this time had on but little steam. As the
boats passed up the East River, the
Osceola ahead and the Richmond and
Rhode Island nea,ly abreast, but at some
distance apart, the slips were lined with
people evidently expecting some sport,
as one Of the hands had previously told
Col. Rivers, on board Of the Rhode
Island, The night before, that when the
boats came out on Saturday "he would
see sport" The bells Of the different
boats lying at the docks rang as the
several boats came along.
The Osceola being ahead went round
BlackwclIs Island, with the evident in
teniion Of coming down upon the Rich.
mond again, as she kept on her course,
in similar manner as before. Capt.
Townsend, aware Of this horrible ma
noeuvre, made all proper preparations.
He crowded steam, for the purpose Of
avoiding the encounter, in which he was