The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-02


Boston steamships have been obliged TO leave this
country, on two or three occasions, without the
mails from the South and from the city Of New
York, causing great inconvenience, and in
calculabe arrangement of mercantile bust
ness throughout the whole country, as well as
in England The importance of having the
mails leave puncualy, may be inferred from
the fact that each contains about two hundred
bushels OF papers and letters, relating to the COM
mercial business of the two greatest nations in
the world.
The same thing was very near occurring again
on Saturday last. The steamer Oregon, with the
mail on board, came in contact with a bark, near
Helgate, by which she sustained so much injury
to disable her from proceeding on her trip
When intelligence of the accident reached this
city, it created, might be expected, feeling of
disappointment among our merchants, and
threw a gloom over the whole city. Luckily,
however, for our merchants, both in New York
and in the South, the interchangeable Postmaster of
Boston, Mr.. Greene, was in town, who with
commendable spirit, set to work, assisted by
Geo. Law, Esq the enterprising owner OF the
Oregon, TO obviate the difficulty, by despatching
the mail by other means. Their first step was
to send communication by telegraph to Bos-
ton, informing the agents of the Caledonia OF
the accident, and requesting them to detain that
vessel for short time after her appointed hour
of sailing, as he was about to despatch the mails
in some way. They then waited on the SUI
perintendent of the Long Island Railroad, who
placed a locomotive at their disposal, and at
twelve o'clock on that night the whole OF
the large mail had been taken from the Oregon,
and was on its way to Boston. The whole coun-
try is under obligations to Messrs Green and
Law for their desire to serve the merchants in
this emergency, and for the admirable manner
in which they successfully carried out their ar
rangements.
This is the third time, we believe, that accidents
have occurred to the mail for the Boston steam
ships, and it proves conclusively the improperly
OF having Boston the depot when such important
consequences at stake. Were it not for Mr..
Law, and that Mr.. Green was fortunately in New
York at the time Of the accident, the mail would
undoubtedly have been left behind and irrepar-
able injury done to the mercantile community,
from New York to New Orleans.
We have the consoing reflection, however, that
in short time we will be comparatively indie
pendent of Boston. When the new American
line of steam ships, as well as the new Cunard
line get into operation, we will have rapid COM
munication with England, and a failure in the
mail to reach Boston will not be attendt d with
such disastrous consequences as have taken
place in two or three instances, and which Were
very occurring again on Saturday last
Boston may be a great place, and may contain
some smart men but in commercial impor-
lance, it never can will be equal to New York.
We must say, however, that Boston is stipend
Gus in railroads.
ANOTHER STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT ON THE SOUND
The RHODE ISLAND AsHoRE-THE OREGoN.-The
steamboat Rhode Island, Captain Manchester,
was driven ashore on Huntington Beach, Long
Island, in the storm yesterday, about IL O'Clock,
while on her passage to New York with the
eastern mail. She lays about so rods from the
shore, and 45 miles from New York, with heavy
sea running and breaking over her.
1t being too rough to launch boat, letter was
placed in bottle and the bottle tied to barrel,
which was thrown overheard and drifted on the
beach, and thus communication was had with
those on board the unfortunate steamer.
The letter was directed to the President of the
Company, requesting the aid of a steamboat to
be sent to their relief Immediately. We learn
that no lives were lost. The passengers must
have been in very unpleasant situation last
night.
We understand that steamboat was despatch
ed forthwith to the assistance ofthe Rhode Island
The Oregon, which met with an accident on
Saturday, will be Immediately repaired, and be
ready TO again take her place in the line to.mor-
row. The passengers were sent to Boston in the
Narraganset.