The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-19
Loss OF THE STEAMSHIP co.
LUMBIA,
SEAL ISLAND, July 4-2

SEAL ISLAND, July "a P. NJ.
Tho Columbia sailed from Boston at
P. NJ, on Saturday, the LIST Of July. with
The American mail for Halifax and England,
with 30 passengers and a crew Of gu in
number, making in oil from ITO upwards.
Water smooth, but weather very foggy.
On Sunday, at quarter past l, in the Of
:ernoon, while steaming at the rate of Ten
knots per hour. grounded and heeled TO port,
with her bow high up, leaving her stern in
deep water, having quarter less five faith.
oms aft. Observed splintcrs from The false
keel, and fore foot along side. Fired alarm
guns, which were answered by muskeis and
The sound OF the fog -horo,.
At P. NJ, boat with the master Of
Seal Island Light came alongside with it,
formation that the Columbia lay on B; ok
ledge Reef and within a mile and a quar-
Ter Of the Island a, this time. The fog was
dense and The wind moderate from S. s. E.
As the tide fell, pointed rocks OF a sugar.
loaf construction uncovered 10 the depth of
! ten feet. and less than that distance from tho
bow. Tho ship lay on an inclined plane of
smooth rock, from her paddles forward, viii e
her stern was in deep wafer, and as she
sirnined heavily. ii was judged fit 10 land
he lady passengers, about twenty, who up
10 this time had displayed wonderful forti-
:ude and seif.possession nor did il desert
Them when placed under The protection Of a
perfect stranger, the master of Seal Island
Light, 10 land on small. rocky and ragged
island, with only one other family hes ide his
own to take from lis desolate appearance !;
aud well did Mr.. Kitchens, the master O,
the Light, fulfii that trust. His great kind.
ness TO Them, and bis efficient services 10 us,
cannot be 100 highly estimated.
On the night tide. having liQhtened Inc
ship BY dlscharging coal, anchors, chains.
&c &C.. tried the only engine thatjwould
work, aud hove on our stern anchor.
But although she rolled uncasily on her
bed, she did not Start an inch. At 5 A. VI.
Judging from The distressed situation of the
ship and the falling tides tina, our chance of
saving her was small, landed Her Maiesry's
mail on Seal Island, and got it secured bv
the kindness of Mr.. Kitchens. Found the
island as barren as IFS desooie appearance
denoted, and our lady passengers were
kindly but poorly accommodated, with the
distressing wan, OF waller added 10 lis nu-
merous di1comfls-all Of which were borne
",'l, cheeriulness and resignation.
have 10 observe that this beautiful steam.
boat ran ashore under charge of her well
ir.sd Pilui, Capt. Stairs, and tina, he cool.
seamanlike conduct of Capt. Shannon. his
officers and crew, with their indefa,;oabIe
and nevcr-failing exeriions, not onlv e,c;.
ted my admiration, but that of all his me
sengers,who labored with much zeal. ,houob
ear III vain, Tor this mos, excellent steam.
or viii only be taken by pieces fsom her
present dangerous position.
We were enabled yesterday 10 send the
melancholy intelligence to Halifax, and ex.
peci the Margaret here Tomorrow night
This is written under confusing and un>
pi asaut circumstances, which in some
measure will account for The hurried and
imperfect statement of this melancholy loss.
am, my dear sir, very truly yours,
6. S. PARSONS,
u. X. n. British Adm. Agent.
10 Go. W. GORDON Esq.