The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-06-26
From the Cleveland to.) Herald Extra.

-- -
ner John Porter came in collision abou
half-past IL o'clock Thursday morning
when some four or FIVE miles off Con
neaut. The moment they struck, the
officers and hands on the Porter jump
ed on board the Chesapeake. The boa
and vessel soon separated, the boa
backing of. The Porter was not sup
posed to be seriously injured, and the
boat Of the Chesapeake was lowered te
put the crew on the schooner, wher
the vessel went down.
About this time it was found that
the Chesapeake was fast filling, and I'M
successful efforts were made to stop the
leak. The boat was headed to the
shore, and all steam crowded. The
pumps were set going, and efforts were
made to keep down the water by bail.
ing. Capt. Warner had the jib lower
ed over the bow, which was drawn in
to the opening, and partly aided in stay.
ing the rush of waters. -Notwithstand-
ing every effort, the water gained SO
rapidly that the fires were soon extin-
guished, and, when about a mile and a
half from shore, the boat lost her head
way. The wind was blowing quite
fresh from the southwest, considerable
sea running, and the anchor was let 60
to prevent drifting into the lake.
Tho Chesapeake's boat was immedi-
ately manned and filled with as many
passengers as it could carry, four of
them ladies', and started for Conneaut
for assistance. The wind was 10 heavy
that the boat drifted some two miles
below the pier. Mr.. Shepard, clerk of
the Chesapeake, ran up the beach, and
reached the pier just as the steamer
Harrison was entering the port. Capt.
Parker promptly went to the rescue of
the sufferers with the Harrison, took
off the survivors on the wreck, and
up all that could be found afoat
in the lake on matches, planks, cabin
&c. A small boat from the shore
reached some who were nearly J.
from long b%uffeting Of the
waves, upborne on these forlorn hopes
ofdrowning men.
After the Chesapeake was brought
to anchor, she continued to sink grad
ually, Notwithstanding every possible
effort, by pumping and bailing, to keep
1er a%f1oat; and at half past 8 o'clock,
The hull went down bow foremost in
feetwater. The upper cabin par
ted from the hull, and the upper deck
remained out of water. On this such
If the persons on board as had not pre-
7iously left the boat, were gathered and
None were lost who followed
he advice of Captain w., and contin-
led with the wreck. But as the boat
had sunk deep in the water, it became
certain that she must 60 down, a nuln
Der prepal ed floats and took theirchance
or escape on them. Of these, eight are
,nown to have been drowned, and it
feared that others met with a like
Melancholy fate.
The passengers numbered between
orty and fifty, an unusual proportion
# ladies, and several children. No la
lies or children were lost. The pres
nee Of mind, energy, and fortitude Of
he ladies' throughout the trying scene,
l~redescribed as remarkable. Perilous as
was their situation, they needed the adj
rice of the officers, at their request ur-
,ed their protectors to 60 below and
ISIS ist in keeping the vessel a%laat, and
made no outcry until it was apparent
hat the Harrison, in passing, had not
lisc overed the wreck; when n of
hem asked permission of the captain to
.lso hail their best hope o rescue, with
he remark, that woman's shrill voice
.ould be heard farther than MANS
cry of agony, too, was lost
n the voice Of the Understanding sea.
The lady of Captain Warner was on
BOARD, and before the boat went down
he was taken to the masthead, and
emained there until the Harrison came
the rescue.
Passengers lost all their baggage
lot a single trunk being saved. The
nail to Sandusky city also lost. About
70 tons of freight, mostly dry goods
nd groceries, for Sandusky city, on
'oard. The clerks books, and about
$4,000 in money in his charge, sunk
With the boat. The Chesapeake be-
ongs to Messrs. d. N. Barney & Co.,
he Porter was loaded by A. Seymour
Z Co., with 1000 bushels Of corn and
o barrels of pork. 1t is a singular
that three vessels should
e run down the same night in the same
ic~inity---the Rough.and- Ready, the
chesapeake, and the Porter. The night
vas gusty, clear above, but misty on
ne water; and seamen say approach
,g lights appeared much farther dis
mt than they really were.
NJ IL 49, n-A u