The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-17
DISASTER TO THE STEAMBOAT
RHODE ISLAND, from Stoningtcn.
From the Neto York Eruress.

4
From the Ne,o York Erpress.
We learn from passenger, who was
on board this boat, the following par,icu-
lars. Her usual time of departure from
Stonington was about P. NJ. on Satur-
day, but owing to the storm, and heavy
sea. Capt Manchestrr did not leave until
about l2 al night. They found the sea
very rough, the wind blowing gale, and
constantly increasing. The boat was
strained very much. About 6 o'clock A i.
NJ, when nearly of Huntington Light
abe land then in sight sea struck her
under the larboard quarter, which broke
the rudder to atoms. Two seas, then. in
quick succession, swept the decks fore
and aft, breaking nearly all the main bra
ces, stancheons, &e. and throwing the
boat nearly on her beam ends. The
freight on the starboard quarter was im
mediately thrown overheard, 10 right the
boat. This probably saved her. as she
came up Immediately. The machinery
was still keptin motion, the boat running
in towards The land. About 7 o'clock
the anchors were let GO. about half z mile
from the shore, and about five miles east
of Huntington Light. OIL Long Island
The people on the shore assembled, but
no relief @. communication could be had.
owing TO the severity OF the gale.
The boat strained very much and pitch
ed but her anchors held her. The life
boat was got out, with five experienced
whalemen, but the boat dashed to pieces
alongside, and with great difficulty the
men were got on board the boat again.
A letter was then put in bottle and a.
tached TO u barrel. requesting that ar ex-
press might be sent TO New York, for as
sistance, which drifted ashore and an ex-
press was Immediately sent. As there
was no prospect of any communication
with the shore, a second bottle attached TO
a barraI was sent adrift at about one o.
clock. This barrel drifted beyond the
Point, but was secured by an excellent
dog, which gnawed off the string, and
brought the bottle on shore, in which was
contained 4 letter, requesting that lights
might be kept OIL the beach all night
At low tide the bow OF the boat took the
ground, and she lay quite easy, SO much
SO, that the passengers were not much
alarmed for their safety.
About hali-past O'Clock, Captains c.
Bunce, John Uddle. VIM. King Higbee,
having obtained q whale boat, which was
transported from several miles distance,
overland, succeeded in boarding the steam-
boat At about half-past three, the Ian
ding of passengers was commenced, and
continued until about hall-past six, when
about sixty got ashore, including all the
ladies', twenty-five in number. The gale
then increased, and NJ fur her communi
cation was had with the shore. About
eighty passengers and crew were left oil
board; ii is believed ,hey are all safe. .TTand
if not taken OF before, that they will be
BY the steamer Mohegan, which left this
morning, for her assistance. No lives
have been lost. The boat is much in
iGred. and about half the freight thrown
overheard. Five Of The passengers ar
rived here this morning, and the remain
der viii be here, to-day.
The letter bags, with Harnden's and
GAYS Expresses, reached here at O.
clock his morning.