Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-11-23
LOSS OF THE PACKET SHIP SHEF-
FIELD,

from lSiNtIDuOl iot IulN was iOct WI
Shoals on Saturday afternoon during the hsav,
gale from East, South Fast. The Sheffield wa,
one OF Mr.. Kenns line and had valuable car
go There were 10 cabin and % Storage pas
scnecrs all Of whom were saved, after having
been in a most pcrious situation for fourteen
!, hours.
Mir. Brooks of.hc Express, was one oftho pas
sengers, and from The pen OF that gentleman, we
give the follownd graphic account Of the disas-
ter:
Az O'Clock the Sheffield tool, on board Vim
Love, one fthe New York Pilots, about thirty
five or fory miles from the CITY, The wind was
ferrous and prorac.eE voyage Of 81 days upon the
same evening At abort IL O'clock the High.
lands could be seen, and though heavy rain and
mist were falling, the lighthouses were distinctly
eecn BY oil IN the ship. The ship had been run
ming direct for te land, and could not have been
better course 10 have taken her direction for the
bay or city
The ship accordingly was put on new track,
and with the des ign, we believe, of making Sta
ten Island light After sufficient time had been
given, as had been supposed, TO make the light on
shore, a sharp lookout was kept on all sides The
breeze was brisk, and the sale was gradually re-
duced until about half the canvass olthe ship was
spread. Some suspense and ancty was becoming
apparent upon The part Of the officers of the ship
but the pilot seemed to give his commands with a
confidence that gave the strongest assurance that
he knew where he was, and that all was WE'LL
Two minutes before the ship struck two men were
dashed to the rigging, with orders 10 make ready
10 cast lead The orders had not been given
when the ship struck, once and again, gently at
first, but the blows increasing in force until the
last for the moment seemed TO have force suf-
cicnt to dcstroythe strongest ship
A scene of CONSERVATION followed, which few
can imagine, and which no one can describe
From the most boyant hopes,-which had utter
ance from a hundred hearts and more, as land had
been seen for the frs. fine for wecls,-the scene
was changed to one Of the greatest gloom and de.
spondence. The passengers from their cabins and
state rooms, where they had been preparing them.
selves for home, and friends and land, Instantly
rushed 70 the deck. Groans. shricks and prayers
were everywhere audible, and scene Of confu. |
sion was ,hreatncd, which could only be overcome
by the most determined conduct upon the part Of
Captain Popham. In the excitement of the mo.
mcnt, before real danger wasthreatned the steer
age passengers thought Of nothing but their per-
sonal safety, and began their efforts by making
use Of the readest mean provided for their securi
ty. A word and BLOW, promptly and timely
in order till oil were rescued from condition
which every moment became more and more per.
ous
The wind was blowing strongly E. S. Z. when
the ship struck and the rain was falling in torrents
The mist shut out the shore for the time, with &C.
casional glimses, however, which made our fate
and condition visible, we hoped, to ali arrond u.s.
CLEAN Of hope in the sight of land grew into
sight of thanksgiving and exultaion, when the .
ship was discovered once more to be floating
But darkness and bows soon came again and
heavier than before. The altered scene for mo
ment was the most impressive we had ever seen,
and despair and resignation were the alternate
feelings Of all. The rising and falling Of the ship
as she was beaten end driven by the waves, was
most uneanhly we had ever heard Every thing
was shaken and Jared as the tide fell The ship,
though strong as oak and iron could make her.
was too weak TO fight out such contest.
One by one the mlzenmast, mainmast and fore
mast had been hewn down and driven into the sea-
noble ship under full sail a, one hour was a
dismastcd wreck the next, and the'scenc as quickly
changed from beauty 10 desolation Night soon
came-far too soon FOR those who had anticipated
and dreaded passing night ia spot so desolate
Bu, kind Providence kindly came to the relief
OF the sufferers. first in changing the wind from
Southeast to Northwest, and secondly BY bright |.
moon, which rose between eight and nine o'clock
The change OF wind and tide gave us more quiet
Than had since the ship struck and double hope
oil safety. Blue lights and rockets had been burnt
before the moon rose, and signal of distress was
flying while rhe masas stood during the day, but
day nor night thus far had afforded the expected |
relief The hours Of the night passed slowly and
heavily, and every moment the water was gaining
upon the ship
The passengers were driven first from the la. |
dies cabin TO the cabin att hence TO tops of the
dining tables, and thence they were borne TO the
round house and lone account says that Captain
Popham carried The ladies on his back to the upper
dcckl-the water gaining on the ship every mo |
ment and with fearful and unexpected rapidly. |
the water rose when the tide was recedine.--
Soon after one o'clock distant sign OF relief was |
visible All eyes were ,nrned to il and in a few 1
moments many voices cried out "a steamer "a
steamer from the city" Another rocket and the |
las, on board was thrown Up, and fortunately il
was seen.-by those who was coming 20 our rescue |
Two o'clock brought the steamer along side, and
all heats gave loud acknowledgements to God for
merciful defverance
The steamboat Wave, Capt. Vanderbilt, from
Staten Island, wasthe welcome visitor, and never
was one more welcome, the s,eerage passengers,
NINETY three in number) literally bounded from
the shattered wreck into the steamer The cabin
passengers followed, twelve in all and two ser
vants,l and then portion Of the crew, after they
had assisted in rcscnng all Of the baggage that
could be transferred 10 the boat Much remained
bu' ihewaer had now risen nearly 10 the ceiling Of
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