Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-10
The Atlantic---Coroner's Inouest.

OF elgnteen oil Tue victims oil the huantic uisastef
Among The witnesses examined were Mr. Truesdell
of New-York, and Mr. Francis d. Hirsch of Boston.
whose testimony furnished nothing which has not
befure been published. From the testimony Of
three Of the witnesses we take The following -
Calvin 4. Hough,on Of Bridport VT testified
that as they neared the shore aud il became certain
the boat would be stranded, he said to his friend
Mr. Sonce, who was from the same town with him
self, and travelling with him, "You stand by me,
and I'll stand by you've will either survive or
perish togeiher"-anda compact was made between
them. They stood together. holding Oh by stan
cheon Of the boat, very near 10 the ladies' saoon-
When the boat struck broadsidc upon the Shore
the upper saloon came down with terrible crash
and some Of the falling timbers struck his friend
dead on the spot Involuntariy he raised his hands
over his head to ward off the danger from himself
and though stunned, he was not Frustrated He
threw himself into the sea and was borne backward
and forward between the boat and the shore half
a.dozcn times, before he succeeded in escaping from
the water. As he was on the beach, he
began aiding others out Of the water. Among these
was an old gentleman, who had on a number Of
life.preseryers, but they had slipped down about his
feet, and his head was under water. The undertow
would carry him out one moment, and the incoming
wave would bring him back bot not near enough
to the shore to enable witness TO seize hold Of him.
At length, however, he succeeded in reaching aud
dragging him TO the shore. aud although at first
lfeless, apparently, he soon showed signs Of life.
aud was eventually resuscitated On his way up
TO the farmhouse, some half or ihrce-fourhs of a
mile distant, witness found a boat.hand with dis
located ANGLE, who mplo-ed assistance Ho took
the man in his arms and carried him as Gar as he
could, then put him down and rested-lhen took
him up again, and so carrying him and resting by
turns, he at last succeeded in getting him to the
house. Witness thinks most of the female passen-
gers, together with the chamber maids were in or
near the ladies' saloon when the upper deck came
down with crash, and that most il not a oflhem
were killed by the falling oftimbcrs
Charles Partridge Of New-York went on board
the Atlantic at Aliens Point with Miss Mary Jor-
dan Of Boston, under his charge Immediately az
ter theexplosion, he to her door and burst il in
told her what had happened, aud throwing blank
ct over both their heads TO protect them from the
steam, they made their way TO the open deck. -
Supposes Miss Jordan to have been killed by he
falling Of the tmbers--her body not yet recovered
He succeeded in reaching the shore, but with the
greatest difficulty. Says he is perfectly confident
the number of females on board (includng chamber
mads) was not less than ten, not a single one of
whom, however, was saved.
Charles Crandall, I'd pilot testified that just be.
fore they left New-London, Wednesday night Capt
Dusian said to Mr. Allen, the LIST pilot, "Well, !
guess well gol" III think" said Mr Allen in re-
ply. 1--WE shall find pretty rough weather OUT
VERY well" said Capt Dusian, 1--WE will try it I"
The boat had run nine minutes from Neville ndon
lighthouse when she was struck by sea which
caused her TO iremble throughout her whole frame
witness describes II, not MS one Of those waves
which bury vessel in the water. II was, TO use
his own words, one in which The waters strike the
| boat all in lump At the instant sharp crack
| was heard-witness was at the wheel Capt. Dusian
aud number of others were also in the wheel
house. Capt Dustan exclaimed whats that T.
The next moment came the report Of the explosion.
"She's burst her boiler % was the quick remark OF
| Capt Dusian, as he sprung from the wheel house,
and called 10 the men TO make ready to let 90 the
anchors. Hardly was this done before The cry "lhe
boat Is on fire." was raised and Instantly the cap
tain ordered the pumps and hose to be got ready
| For time, the greatest confusion aud excitement
prevailed, but order at length restored Such
was the commencement Of this most lomentabe
disaster.
A number of other witnesses we're examined, but
their testimony was not important. The verdict
of the jury states
That the death Of said individuals, most Of them
to us unknown, was caused by bruises or by drown
ing at the time and in consequence OF the strand.
ing Of the steamer Atlantic on the westerly end OF
Fishers Island about four clock, on the morning
Of the 9th instant, and shat in our opinion the
primary cause of said disaster was the bursting OF
|
2 o'clock on the night OF the 26ih inst.
The Courier adds the following
1t is now certain there were more passengers on
board the Atlantic than was at first supposed prob.
ably the whole number did not fall short OF fny-
five. The clerks list which we supposed would
! give full information on this point is very defective
owing we doubt not, TO the neglect of numbers on
board to take their tickets before the explosion
Cured.
The body OF severed in the middle, eav.
| ing little but his head shoulders and arms, and
those lfightfuly mutilaed. buried on the island
i Who he was, or where from, is yet entirely un.
known.
The body Of an old man. brought up Sabbath eve
ming, lies at the depot still 1t is supposed TO have
been one of the hands on board.
/ The body on which was found pocket handker
chie marked Archibald Austin" has not vet been
Identified. No such name as Austin is found on
any Of the lists way bills Of the road and boat
l Mr. Dobbs the chief engineer, lost his sight moi
at the time the boat stranded aud went to pieces
but At the time Of the explosion of the steam pip,
on Wednesday night He is otherwise bruised, an,
ii is doubtful if he RECEIVERS
We believe the watch Of Mr. French was takeT
from his pocket by Capt. Van Pelt, and is now il
possession Of the treasurer of the railroad company
"A to the money, we believe none was found upoI
his person When examined in presence Of the cor
oner's jury Among The articles found in his peck
els was a miniature likeness-a beautiful paintn!
OF boy of perhaps Ia or Is years old Though
the frame or in which The likeness was set wa
dropping IN pieces through the action oflhe water
yet the painting itself was as beautiful and perfec
as ever.
The shore Of Fishers Island is sirown with tn
! wreck for miles ia each direction from the poin
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