Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-03
From the ". Y. Com. .4dc. of Monday.
The Steamer Atlantic.

H But few additional particulars relative to the
loss of this vessel have been received since the
| Commercial went to press on Saturday. Tkp-
train which arrived by the Long Island rail
road on that night brought on the bodies of the
!. Rev. DIR. Armstrong, Mr.. Cassady. of Pbiladel.
pha, and the chambermaids of the boat. The
extra train of Sunday night brought those of
Aid Burbank, of Brooklyn, president, we be-
leve, of the Common Council of that city, and
Mr.. Kimball, of the firm of Spoiford, .Tileston
q Co., of this city
/ MIR. Gould, the express messenger of Messrs.
Adams a. CO., says that when he left Fishers
Island on Saturday night, hirty-eight bodies
had been recovered, and it was known that
flee more were lost--making a total of rokTy
THREE. lie says there were ten females on
board, five cabin, and two deck passengers and
the three chambermads.
H Mr.. Gould had charge of considerable
money, and when il became probable that the
vessel would be wrecked, he fastened five life
preservcrs to the valise containing it He soon
aftcrward perceived that some of the passen-
gers had taken them off. lie then placed the
valise in a barrel, and, just before the vessel
struck, threw it overheard Ii was picked up
five miles from the wreck, by some of the in
habitants of Fishers Island and every dollar
of its contents was returned to him.
\ Mr.. Gould questions the correctness of the
report, noticed Oh Saturday, as to the baggage
of the passengers being robbed.
/ Among those who were lost on board the
Atlantic were Mr.. Orlando Pitts, secretary of
the Boylston Insurance Company, end Mr..
French, of the Merchants Insurance Company,
both Of Boston. These gentlemen took pas
sage on board with view of passing Thanks
giving day in this city, both, we have heard it
said, being engaged to be married to young
ladies here. 1t was not known here on Satur-
day that they were on board but on the first
reception of the news Of the melancholy disas-
ter, brother of Mr.. French proceeded to New
London with n view to the recovery of the
body of the Rev. Mr.. Armstrong. On his ar
rival there he was shown into an apartment
where number of the bodies were placed
He raised the sheet with which one was COW
cred. What must have been his feelings in
recognising on the ghastly corpse before him
the well known Ineamcnts of his own brother
The funeral of the Rev. DR.. Armstrong,
took place on Monday morning. His remains
were carried to the Rev. Dr. Adams Church,
in Broomc street, where an appropriate address
was delivered by Rev. DIR. Adams. In the
course Of his address, the speaker narrated the
circumstances under which this calamity had
occurred
The deceased arrived in Boston on Tuesday
morning last, for the purpose of meeting the
prudential committee. as he had been accus-
toned 10 do once in every month
Having completed his business at the mis-
sionary house, he took the Norwich train for
New York on Wednesday afternoon. Before
he left, however, he was advised to defer his
return, on account of the inclcmency of the
weather but he did not apprchend any danger,
and remarked that he had often found quiet
upon the Sound, when there was a storm at
Boston.
II He was particularly anxious, moreover -
spend the annual thanksgiving with his fam
Il lily. At the suggestion of friends, however,
he put life prcscrver into his valise.
II On Thursday, when all were in great peril
and alarm during the whole day and evening,
he made himself known as minister of Christ,
and impaired Christian consolation and in
structlon to the passengers, commenting their
cause to God in prayer.
II While he was thus engaged, the tones of his
voice struck one of the passengers, a lieute-
nant in the u. 5. Navy, who was saved and
was present now, as familiar sound, and en-
tcring the cabin he found that the minister
was his former pastor. They conversed to-
gcther on their circumstances and prospects,
DIR. Armstrong speaking with the utmost self
possession and confidence in God.
Il The lieutenant having had more experience
in such disastrous cvents-to the philanthropy
and nobility of whose conduct under the calam-
itous circumstances the survivors bear ample
testimony-at his suggestion DR.. Armstrong
and others, after securing their life preservers
properly to their persons, tore some blankets
up into shreds, binding them round their heads,
so as to protect themselves as far as possible
from contusions, &c.
Il The Doctor then took his seat at the door Of
the ladies' saloon. Shortly afterward he was
seen standing at the gangway, where he remains
ed until the steamer struck, and sea went over
him. lie, had been speaking to gentleman,
survivor, of their peril, and had concluded by
the goodness Of God they might all be per-
mttcd to land in safety, but, if not, he had per-
II feet confidence in the love and wisdom of Him
who doeth all things well. A wave almost inn
medately swept him out ofsight, and he was
not again seen alive.