The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-27
From the Boston Daily Times.
Outrageous attack on the
STEAMER JOHN w. RiCHMON ID.
ENDANGERING I1I LINES.

III has seldom been our lot 10 record an
outrage so gross and malicious, as the at
tempt made last night to run into sud Grip
pie the Steamer J. w. Richmond.
We know not what the law may do 10
punish offenders of this piraticsl character,
but We know that an appeal to public indig-
nation will not he made ia vain. Public
justice will be administered to the Proprie-
tors of The Boston and Nep York Trans
porfatioa Company, upoa whose wicked
Directors we charge the originating aud
perpeiraiion of the outrage.
Let the facts speak for themselves.
We left New York, in the J. ". Rich
mond at O'Clock yesterday afternoon, she
had on board in all about l75 people. The
Rhode Island, steamer started at the same
time, for the S,onington route-the Lexing-
ton for the outside having previously left.
The Richmond having accidentally left two
passengers ashore, hove tn, and sent u hoat
10 The wharf fbr them. During this time
the Rhode Island returned to her wharf
IN the mean time, the Steamer Oceola of
one of the North river lines, had been OBJ
served for half an hour or more plying n
bout the river in different directions, with
out any apparent object.
On board of the Osceola were Charles
Phillips, Al large owner of the Transporta-
tian Company and VIM. Wonlsey, not
long since The President of the Boston and
Providence Railroad, aud a Director in the
india Point company, aud one of the Trns-
tees of the Transportation compnny. The
Pilot of the Narrdganseu acted as Cap
tain of the Osceols, and she was manned
by the steward crew aud servants of the
NarrdgdnseH, and there were eight other
persons on board. A proprietor of the Os-
cenla was on boari the Richmond, who re-
fused 10 sign The statement aud resolutions
given below (; but admitted that rhe OsceO-
IL had b-en chartered by II company, though
he refused TO tell by what company.
IL necessary 10 expliin what afterwards oc-
CURED.
When the Richmond had received her
passengers. and again started on her course,
the Rhode- Island also started. The Osce-
ola, which had lain 10, during the time that
the Richmond was waiting, also came down
little in the rear and stood upon the lar
board side of the Rich mond. The Rhode
Island running clusc upon her starbonrd
quarter, and crowding her in towards the
Battery. Capt. Townsend perceiving the
rapid movement of the Osceola, first sus-
pected foul play, aud darled from astern in.
to the Pilot house.
As the Richmond was rounding the Bat
terry, with the Rhode Island close outside Of
her, the Osceola, with powerful head of
steam, took the inside and run into her up
on the lsrboard bow Just forward of ths
~heel-housc, giving her heavy shock, and
scraping her side badly. But the Rich
mond was so staunchly built and heavily
fr-iglted that she escaped without injury.
The Osceola rebounded aud keeIed over
from th. shock bat Immediately rghted
aud sgnin rushed bows OIL, striking the
Richmond on her larhoard quarter, just a
bait the wheeI-house. The evident in,en-
tiun being on the part Of the assailanis, that
the Rhode Island should prevent the Rich
moud from running out iuto the river, to
keep her closer IN 10 the Battery, and for
the OsceoIa to rush in and dash upon her
so as to smash the wheel house, and Grip
pie the wheel.
After this encounter, the Richmond then
moved ahead, and the Osceola shot 10y nn-
der Ter stern, and passed by on the star
board side. The Richmond at this time
had on but little steam. As the boats pass
ed up the East River, the Osceola ahend
and The Richmond and Rhode Island near
ly abreast, but at some distance apart, the
slips were lined with people evidently ex-
pecting some sport, as one Of the hands had
previously told Col. Rivers, on board of the
Rhode Island, the nigh, before, that when
the boats came out on Saturday he would
see spori." The bells of the different boats
lying AT the docks rang as the several boats
came alang.
The Osceola being ahead went round
Blackwell. Island, with the evident inten'
tIon of coming down upra the Richmond
ugain, ms she kept on her course, ~ SIM
liar manner as before. Capt Townsend
aware nf this horrible mnnGuvre, made all
proper preparations. lie crowded steam
for the purpose of avoiding the encounter
in which he was successful, and had run 81
far ahead as to leave the Osceola astern
when she came round. Bot the creates
excitement prevailed on board the Rich.
mond. The passengers saw the obstinate
perseverance, of the Osceola 10 run into thei
boat.
They felt, with sufficient reason, iha
their live. were put in peril by one Of th,
most outrageous machiustions ever attempted
In a civilized county, and they prepared ic
aid Capt. Townsend in substantial measure,
of defence, in case the speed Of the boa
had failed in avoiding the conflict. The
guns of the Richmond were loaded, with
the intention of firing into the pilot hous,
vi the oseeoIa, IL she came % again to til,
sttach aud a substantial number Of pas.
sengers stood ready, in case of contact, t.
make fast 10 the Osceols. and lake NOISES
sion of that boat BY y general boarding.
a., -, '''' "N"'""e'
What would have been The result of sucl
movement, no one eau imagine. Th,
nnMer aud good flrinne of ,ha Ri.LI