The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-22
FURTHER FROM THE ATLANTIC.

The particulars OF the explosion and the
events Immediately subsequent have been
detailed pretty fully. Mr.. Leverett speaks
in terms of the chest commentator Of Capt.
Dustan. He says that The Capt. remained
perfectly cool, collected. and courteous to all,
having kind or encouraging woid for eveIy
one that approached him, though he cOnIin-
ued infexibly firm 10 the purpose which he
first formed, of holding on by the anchors I'M
til the boat should actually strike. His plan
was-and he had men stationed TO execute
ito slip or cut his cables the moment the
boat touched the shore; and by letting her
head swing round 10 the shore to form lee,
under cover of which the passengers might
he safely landed. In forming this plan, Capt.
D. counted on The strength Of the Atlantic be-
ing sufficient TO hold together for some lime
after she struck. But in this he was mista-
ken; five minutes made her a mass OF frag
menis.
Mr. Leverett was near The captain most
of the night. About 3 o clock the captain
remarked TO Mr.. L., The wind lulls a little,
and il is now an even chance that we may
hold on He then inquired Of Mr.. j.. the
time of night, and followed him into the sa-
loon where there was light. After this Mr..
Leverett went below for the first lime during
the night. The gentlemau's CABIN was va
cant but on opening the ladies' cabin he found
it filled with passengers. They were envel-
oped in blankets, and most of them were sill
ting with their heads bent forward. and in
death like stiffness. just then a heavy sea
struck the boat and the wind seemed TO rise
again: this induced Mr.. l.. to repair to his
former position on the after deck. In few
moments afterwards the boat struck and be-
gan Immediately to break up. MIR. l.. was
still in sight Of the captain, and saw him start
to 90 forward; he followed him until he
reached one Of the quarter boats. His i'm
preston is that Capt. Dustan with several
others fell into the boat; the boat was soon
dashed to pieces, and all in her persisted.
Our Informant is of the opinion that most
of the passengers who were IN the cabin at
the time he entered, must have been buried
and killed in the falling Of the upper works
upon them. In respect to the life presevers.
he thinks that more persons would have been
saved had there not been one Of those articles
On board the boat; he was compelled TO cut
away his own before he could make his es-
cape and several other passengers with whom
he has conversed, found these articles equal
ly announcement. They impeded their mo
tons and entangled them among The floating
fragments Of the boat.
In reference 10 DR.. Armstrong, Mr.. Lever
eft says:
4 first noticed him soon after the bursting
Of the steam chest, fastening life preserver
round his body. one, which from inquiry,
ascertained that he carried with him. III
was not until daylig that the life preservers
belonging to The boat were furnished to The
An entire Stranger, my atten-
ton was attracted by the calm, benevolent
expression OF his countenance. The hearts
Of the passengers seemed to yearn towards
him as towards a father they watched him
closely. and gathered around him whenever
he spoke. When he conducted the only
meeting held during our peril, OF which was
aware, his remarks were very brief-and per-
Iinent and uttered in a calm. steady tone Of
voice. lie said we were in great peril, but TO
God all things were possible, the wind and
the sea obeying him. He reminded us oftbe
scene narrated in the 9Th chapter of Matthew