The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-01-29

steamboat.
Upto this time. twenty minutes had proba-
bly, elapsed. The stesur engine had stopped.
I do not think the engine ran more than Is or
90 inmates from the first alarm. Irecommeud.
ed the deck hands 10 throw the cotton over
board. There were not many passengers left
al this time. told the passengers they must
now do something for themselves and do it
soon. The hands threw over 10 or 10 bales
Of cotton, and l lent them a hand. Some Of
the passengers who had been hanging TO the
chains made for the cotton as il was thrown
overheard. We threw over all the cotton on
the lsrboard side not on ere. | then cut
piece Of line and spanned a bale Of cotton with
IL. believe il was the last bale not ON 6re.
/, was snugly packed square bale. A bale Of
cotton 10 about three feet wide. IA thick, aud
4 feet long. One of the firemen--the same
who went IN the bale with me-lest me a
hand TO get this bale over the rail. We took a.
bout four fathom Of the rope / had cut, and
took round turn around the steam boats rail.
We both got on the cotton and lowered il in
the water, setting astride. facing each other.
The boat then lay broadside 10 the wind her
head probably TO land, but cannot say. We
lay under her lee. As soon we touched the
water, we let 90, and coiled the rope on to the
bale. The bale was one third out Of the water
We did not lash ourselves TO the bale. The
wind was fresh, aud the steamboat drifted con
slderably. We found much difficulty in get
ting along. My companion seemed unwilling
to leave. He wished TO hold on the guard
but was determined 10 get away before we got
burned TO death. but | showed the bale along
round the stern. The moment we were cleai
Of the boat she drfted away from us at about
one and half knots per hour. This was just
eight o'clock, p. NJ. Took my watch out and
looked at the time. As we left the boat took
out piece Of board which afterwards used as
a paddle.
BY juror. When we left the boat did
not see much, being obliged to keep the end Of
the cotton TO the sea- When we came round the
stern, the ladies cabin.wes all on fire. saw a
lady and another person on board. What
made me take such notice Of the lady was. that
there was a child floating on the water astsrp.
and as We passed round the stern, We passed
close to this child as it lay floating on its back.
The lady seeing US pass her child, cried out
10 us 10 save il. / think this was 4 female
child.-lt had on bonnet and cloak. We did
mot attempt TO take il from the water. but it
was perfectly dead.
BY juror. thought the child female
from its apparel. We passed so close that
could have put my hand upon il, but the sea
was rough. and had as much as ] could at
tend TO, TO keep my bale from upsetting. The
boat went down at 3. A. NJ. not 10 minutes Ell
ther wsy. We were about = mile from her
when she went down. il was thick weather
when we first left the boat, but cleared up about
9 o'clock. We had fine night. The moon
shone. and went down about half past ? o'clock.
| looked at my watch almost every half hour.
il was cold night and required exercise 10
keep warm. Without exercise a person would
soon have chilled through. About 4, A. NJ.
the bale capsized with us. heavy sea took
the end and turned us right over. We conirived
to get on the bale again, the former bottom side
being then uppermost. We lost the piece Of
board at this time and the bale became unman-
sgeable. My companion complained a good
deal Of the cold from the beginning. He kept
frettins himself about his wife and family and
friends. when he should only have thought OF
saving himself. His name was Cox. His wife
lived he said. at II Cherry street in this city.
lie seemed TO think from the first that wc should
never get through and save our lives.
Soon after we left the steamboat gave him
my vest, as he complained very much Of cold.
He had on only his nannel shirt, cap, pants and
boots. After we capsized he seemed to give
up all hope. He remained on the bale after
wards about 2 or % hours. The last half hour
before he left the bale he became stupi6ed.
He had lost all use Of his hands, and could no,
hold on to any thing. did all could for him.
| beat and pounded and rubbed him. 10 en-
deavor TO keep his blood in circulation. The
sea was still very rough, and / had often to
take hold Of the rope we reeyed round the bale
10 keep on. The bale being broadside to the
sea, now gave lurch and my companion slip
ped off. He sank Immediately without strug
gle. This was about half past 6 O'Clock, A. NJ.
After the loss Of my companion. got more on
to the middle Of the bale TO make il ride well,
and drew my feet cut Of tho water. | contin-
ued on to the bale till taken off fours after, a.
bout 10 O'Clock.
About an hour before was picked up, sloop
hove in sight, and to make them observe me
| waved my hat. / was pretty much chilled
through. 1t vas the sloop Merchant, Capt.
Meeker. who deserves every praise for his con
duct. He attempted TO get out the night be-
fore. bat could not for the ice. They took out
part Of her cargo and got out ksdge anchor
to endesvor to Get her over thu bar, but il was
to no pupose till the tide ] did not see
the sloop till she had got pretty we'll down to
me. do not know the time the sloop got out.
She had TO beat dswn. the wind being against
her. The wind was think SSW., nearly off
shore. when saw the sloop. She had been
into Southport aud spoken the lisht-bost sta
toned there, to find out where the fire was
The sloop took me on board and the crew paid
every attention TO me They did all they could.
The captain took me down into the cabin and
the sloop went on her cruize. Some time az
ter taking me on board she picked up two per-
sons alive. and two dead bodies. One was Cap.
Manc hester, the pilot of the Lexington, who j
believe was on part Of the ~heelhouse. The
other was Mr.. Charles Smith. who vas on
bale Of cotton.
My impression was, that Captain Manchester
was on the bale Of cotton, but from what Capt.
Comstock said yesterday. 1t could not be the
case. Capt. Manchester, was picked up first.
| was below at the time when Captain Man
chester and Mr.. Smith were picked up. Both
we're picked up within half sn honr of each
other Captain Manchester was almost gone.
Mr.. Smith seemed some~hst better. Smith
was a fireman. lie belonged to kor~ieh,
Conn. believe that he and myself we're the