Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-03
Terrible Steamboat Accident.
THE LOSS OF THE ATLANTIC.


james Sleson, the second in command under
Capt Dustan, has communicated the following
facts 10 the New York papers -
About midnight the Atlantic len New London and when
about miles outside Of the lighthouse the steam pipe
running into the steam chimney burst, rendering the
The anchors Immediately hove over at which the
rode through that night which very and
stormy.
house, aud then the bulkhrads, give the wind
clear sweep through the vessel and expose surface to
its attack.
The colors hoisted half mast, but on the Mohrpan
attempting some measures 10 go to her assistance were
hauled down by orders Of Capt DuSan who knew that her
efforts would be Intellectual Thus the steamer remained
all day, ill toward FIVE ia the afternoon Of Thursday the
wind ued aud hopes were taised that all danger over
but not long after, the wind shifted points, and blew
with than previous violence.
The Atlantic gradually dried nearer and nearer To the
shore all Thursday night, and for two hours from I'LL
o'clock on Friday morning, lay within cables length of
the breakers held by her two anchors At about hall past
the stern touched and both cables part
ed and she broaehed 10, lying bioadside TO the Shore
The coast was bold and rocky inside Of rocky reef and
had she broached to the other way that her bow would
have touched the breakers, perhaps not life would have
been saved The vessel went TO pieces immediately within
five minutes Of her striking nothing et Of her entire,
but her engines. The freight had mostly been thrown
overheard some time previous
CAPT Dustau last seen by Mr. Stetson, when he re-
ceved otders from hm 10 go forward and at the proper
nent let 20 the chains Al that time the stood I'M
OF the aer promenade deck giving his orders calmly
and with little apparent emotion IL upon the shore
All his efforts seemed 10 be Tor the preservation OF his PISS
senrrs-his late joined with that Of the vessel he
commanded
Sir Sletson went forward with Mr. kingston FIRST mate
Nj Boyle the clerk and Charles Christian deck hand The
latter dashed 10 long rope and lowered that
nncaon could be had with the Shore but the violence
of the him from the line, and he himself
saved with great difficulty. The others mentioned were,
when she struck washed overheard and all reached the
land in safety
Mr Steson says that every passenger given or
,rhf chs akaa
were the Of saving many lives. By direction OF
Capt Dus,an psuks also dashed Together and point
ed the passengers In word every thing done
that could be-.
The passengers says MIR stetson acted nobly there
confusion, selfish excitement each seemed 10
regard the safety Of his ueghbor than Of himself
c speaks 10 the strongest terms OF their conduct through
out.
Capt vanpelt Of the Michigan, and Capt Williams Of
the Cleopatra furnished every assistance that lay in their
power the Of the suferers-clothes, provisions
every thing needed, in fact, given with INSPIRING
hand MI Tarbox Of Norwich also lavished his hospitality
upon and every sufferer that he met his kindness
highly spoken Of by many who the subjects o!
From the statement Of Mr. Marsh passenger who aniv-
ed in Newly ofk we gather the followng:-
The Atlantic was running along y, when the steam
chest exploded and almost a the the wind
shifted from the northeast to the northwest and blew almost
perfect hurricane
The steamer was thrown into the midst of darkness and
confusion and the resounded with the Of the scat
ded II a irightiu 10 behold. Capt. Dnstan in
santy called all hands TO the DECK ordered
heave the anchors, but il found almost mpossi
bic for stand deck, in consequence Of the
ence OF the gale the continually making breach over
her bows Owing to this took nearly hour to get out
the three anchors.
The steamer worked heavily, plunging her bows under at
every iurch and dragging her anchors Between time
of anchorng aud daylight il is thought that she dragged
abont II miles
The fires were all put daylight on Thursday and
from that time TO the period of going ashore the passengers
and suffered from the intense cold. The only
of keeping to wrap themselves in Blankets and
walk brisky around the steamer.
ALL tins time, began 10 look to their personal safe
ty All put the life preservers that the ship pen
hfny supplied vhand prepared themselves for any
ed and cut r rats to DRIFT ashore upon whenever
she should strike.
The gale increasing in violence Capt Dusan who pre-.
his self possession Throughout the perous time
derd about forty tons Of coal 10 be thrown overheard 10
der to tighten the vessel.
About noon Thursday, the smoke pipes, which were
very large and heavy ordered be thrown OVERHEARD
This done, the captain assisting, and the
eased for short time. There less offered to the force
OF the wind.
The steamer continued TO Drift however aud everything
looked terrible and hopeless
The danger increased rapidly that between and
three clock Capt Dusan ordered the decks be cleared
of all merchandise OF everything that was in the way
Cases of boots, Shoes barrels Of -four stoves, &c &C. in
GLIDING package said TO contain $1,000 worth Of plate
were thrown overheard There eight thousand
dollars worth of lace ard belonging Of the pas
whole to any who would put him safely ashore. Thu
lace aiterward seen strewn along the beach.
All these efforts however, TO save the steamer were un
avang No person worked harder than Captain Dustan
and After these repeated and uni
ted efforts had tailed all hopes of safety and al
felt DESTROYS aud that the steamer should strike
beach 1t rghtfu sight, hut the feelings Of thos
board had been wrought To such PITCH that reaction
them and they were resigned to their fate.
About midnight she parted OF her cables there ben,
four out attached to thirty hundred weight Of furnac
bars aud the others to anchors Alter this the gale con
tinued TO increase, and blew perfect hurricane.
She driven still the shore, but passed poin
that all expected she would strike upon. She then drie