The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-07-13
LOSS OF THE STEAMER COLUMBIA.


The following letter, from the Hon. Abbot Law
renee, Of Boston, of the passengers board the
Inflated steamship Columbia, to his son, although
containing no additional facts to those gave yes
terday will nevertheless be read with interest, IL
describes the catastrophe more infinitely, and no
doubt correctly
SEAL ISLAND, July 3, lS43.
My Dear Son: We left Boston at a quarter past 9
O'Clock the lst instant, and experienced most
agreeable TIL yesterday, at quarter past it be-
ing foggy) the Columbia struck the Black Ledge,
one and quarter miles distant from this island, at
high water. When the tide began 10 ebb, we saw
large rocks the larboard side, about ten fathoms
distance, and a long reef not cables length from
Before half tide down, these rocks were four feet
above the water. Soon after she struck we com
menced throwing over coal, which was continued
through the day. At half past we began firing
cannon; in half an hour after we were answered by
a musket, which relieved us from the most painful
anxiety, were not quite certain where we
were, and hoped it might be from the land.
Ala O'Clock The fog lifted, and we had the mex
pressble satisfaction of seeing fishing schooner
making for the ship, with small boat in tow. The
captain of the schooner (Hltchngs,) who is the
keeper of the light house, came on board and gave
account of our situation, which appeared any
thing but hatiering. We concluded, as il was
evident the Columbia was in n rocky berth, that il
was prudent to axe the ladies on Shore GA in num-
ber) besides several in the sieerage, and five six
children. This was accomplished at O'Clock with
out injury I, any one; and here found two small
houses, mile or more distant from each other, in
habted by kind and efficient people, who exhibited
all the sympathy and care we could desire.
There are no other habitations upon the island
which is rough and barren. The nearest main land
is Darlington 25 miles distant This morning, at
high tide, attempt was made TO float the ship,
which proved unsuccessful, and at ha past two The
Captain requested the passengers $50 in number) who
remained on board, 10 go on shore-about 40 having
landed last evening The passengers are all on
shore-and one half the baggage. The mails are all
here, and the remaining part OF the baggage will be
The opinion " SST Fl mar an hour will, he o.-s,
is very much strained and has heeled over consdera
! bly,. We have 95 passengers, and 70 officers crew.
Sc, belonging 10 the ship, in all I6S souls. The
Captain has conducted himself with great coolpess
and courage, and displayed that energy and magma
nimy that belong TO his notable profession. And
NOW having more time TO write have only TO say
that deem our preservation extTaordinary-20 yards
on either side of the ship with a moderate breeze.
would have consigned US all TO a watery grave
Through the mercy Of Almighty God we have all
been spared living monuments Of hls protecting care
and we and you, ard all friends should offer up
TO our Heavenly Father the homage of grateful
hearts for Tins signal instance Of his sparng mercy
The ladies and all the passengers have conducted
themselves in manner that should command our adj
miratlon. We shall send an express to Halifax for
steamer, which, | suppose, is nearly 200 miles-we
being now about 240 milcs from Boston. We have
provisions enough for the present. and can make our
selves toleraby comfortable, under the es
in which we placed.
Your mother and sister quite well and am
better Than could be rtected, after the anxiety and
fatigue that have Ia sed. | shall write The # 4 op
por,uni'y. DO not, however, lie anxious. The sea-
is favorable, and have no doubt we shall be pro
vdeJ for. la great haste, remain with the trues,
| affection, ABBOTT LAWRENCE
A Boston zap says Capt. Judkins, of the roy al
mail steamer H,bernis has called on US and states
that he has every hope that the siean or Columbia
will yet be SAVED. He Pounds this opinion upon her
known strength and position, and from hei having
bed steam up the day after she struck the Ledge
from which fact Capt. Judkins thinks SIZE could not
nave injured herself much 10 iLcapaoiiate her
from beng got on
The last letter received in this city, dated July 4
o'clock, tilht hours after the steamer grounded
does not give any evidence that The steamer was in
fealy condition moreover, the tides were Of decd
neap and each succeeding tide would cause ri,e OF
several feet, until The foil TO morrow. In the
mean tine the steamer would lie lighteneJ by dis-
charge of her coal, &c, and the arrival OF the
steamer Margar,t from Halifax which probably
reached her on Wednesday ming, she with her
aid, has been, Captain Judkins is firmly of opiu.on
got of.