Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-07-14


lighter was then launched, and manned by !
the undersigned and others, in all about 25,
and proceeded to the steamboat, for the |
purpose OF landing passengers and freight.
Having arrived at the steamboat, they |
gave us a line from the promenade deck,
which we made fast to our forward thwart;
a number then went aboard the steamboat
the rest remaining in the lighter to take in
the freight of which finding there. was
large amount to land, we requested the
Captain to cast anchor, as the wind was
blowing quite strong oil shore, and we were
drifting rapidly out into the lake; this he
refused to do. We then commenced taking
in the freight, Of which we had received
about half, when we found we had dritled
over a mile into the lake; we then asked
Captain Burnett to tow us nearer shore,
which, after cursing and swearing at US
some time, he finally consented to do; &C
cordingIy the lighter was dropped astern,
and towed by the steamer within u short
distance Of shore We now come to the
most important part Of our statement, and
we ask a candid public to Judge between
US and Capt. Burnett & Co. The lighter
was then again brought alongside, and after
taking some fire ght from the after gang
way, proceeded forward Of the wheel, to
take in the balance Of the freight from the
promenade deck; the line from which was
again made fast to our bow thwart We
then asked the Capt. repeatedly to give US
line aft; this request was UNDECIDED, and
our only means OF stcadying the lighter
alongside the steamer, was by three or
four of our men holding on TO the fender
rope Of the steamboat. They then COM
menced giving US The freight from the
promenade deck, but owing to not having
q line aft TO steady us, the lighter kept
vecring ahead; Capt. Burnett, who stood
on the promenade deck, almost immcdi-
ately above us, then looked over the side,
and said, cd d--n you, haul your boat
farther aft, or III back water and run you
under the wheel" He was as good as his
word; in q few minutes he commenced
backing water, we hallooed to him TO stop
backing, for we could not hold on to the aft
line much longer, and that he would cap
size us; the only answer we received, was
a voIIey Of curses from the las we honest
ly believe, intoxicated Capt. What mo-
tive he could possibly have for backing
water at that time, we cannot imagine. A
full half hour had elapsed, from the time
Of our second coming alongside, and du-
ring the whole Of that period, we had been
again drifting out into the lake, SO much
SO, that We were at the time he com rem
ccd backing water, nearly hal! mile
from shore, and still drifting. But Mr..
Davies, says, ''ln the mean time thought
felt the steamer strike the bottom, and
took the lead to ascertain the fact, and
found she was aground" This statement
we say, bears on its face tho evidence OF 4"
paIpabIc he. How could it be possible
that the boat should at one time Gas MIR.
Davies admts) drift out into the lake over
mile, and shortly afterwards, without
the wind changing in the least degree, we
ask, how was it possible that she should
drift aground! But to return to our state
ment. We rode with the steamboat few
minutes very well, by using considerable
| cXertlon In holding on to the fender rope.
until she began to get good sternway; we
still taking in freight from the promenade
deck, and begging the captain repeatedly
for heavens sake to stop backing or he
would run us under, he would not stop, land
the force Of the stern way finally dragged
the fender rope, from the hands Of those
who had hold Of it; our lighter then swung
stern out; we halIooed to the Capt. to cast
off our bow line, but the unfceling man
said, "D---n you, you hay ma kers( or land
lubbcrs, look out for yourselves" In. "a
few seconds our lighter sheered across the
bow Of the steamer, and Immediately cap
sized, precipitating fourteen persons into
! the lake. And now let us compare this
statement, with that Of J. C.. Davies. He
says: 81 at once told the Captain that we
were aground, and he ordered me TO have
the lighter cast off from us-l then told
them to cast off, and stopped the men
putting down any more freight, they said
| from the lighter, that all was clear" &c.
This statement, We, also, declare to be false
in every respect. No word was given to
us TO cast off, either before or after he
commenced lacking water, and the words
call clear" were never mentioned by any
that we could hear either on the lighter or
steamboat after he commenced backing
water We repeatedly requested them to
cast off the line from the promenade deck,
as our end had got drawn into hard knot,
and SO far from there being any order
given to stop putting down freight, the
hind axle Of wagon was in the act OF
being lowered over the side, when our
lighter swung off, and which was hauled
back again on the promenade deck, after