The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-17
Melancholy Steamboat Collision.
From the Cleveland to) Herald Extra,


The steamer Chesapeake and schooner John Porter
came in collision about half-pas IL o'clock thursday
morning, when some four or hve miles on oohheau',
The moment they struck, the officers and hands on the
Porter Jumped board the Chesapeake he boat ana
vessel soon separated, the boat backing OIL Inc fofer
was not supposed be seriously injured and the boat on
the Chesapeake lowered to put the crew on Tue
schooner when the vessel went down -
About this time il was found that the Chesapeake was
fast filing and unsuccessful efforts were aue - n'op . .e
leak The boat headed to the shore, ana all steam
crowded The pumps set going, and efforts were
made to keep down the water by bang Capt warner
had the lid lowered the bow, which was drawn mo
Inc opening and partly aided in staying the rush OF
waters Notwithstanding every effort the wafer gahed
so rapidly that the fires soon eNungushed, ana,
when about mile and half from shore the boat osi
her Roadway. The wind blowing quite fresh from
the southwest, considerable running and the an
Choir was let go to prevent drifting into the lake
The Chesapeake's boat was Immediately manned ana
filled with as many passengers could carry, iour OF
them ladies, and started for Conneaut Tor assistance Inc
wind was heavy that the boat drlted some TWO Hies
below the pier Mr. Sheppard, clerk OF the chesapeake
ran up the beach, and reached the pier Just as the steamer
Harrison entering the port Capt Parker promptly
went To the OF the sufferers with the HARRISON
took of the survivors the wreck, and picked up al
that could be found aoa in the lake on matches, plank
cabin doors, &c, small boat from the shore reached
some who were nearly exhausted IRON long bufetng OF
the waves upbome on these fororn hopes OF drowning
After the Chesapeake brought 10 anchor, she con-
tnued sink gradually notwithstanding every possible
effort by pumping and baing to keep her aioat and at
hall past O'Clock, the hull went down bow foremost
in forty feet water The upper cabin parted from the
hull and the upper deck remained out oil wafer, Vn
this such of the persons board had not previously
left the boat gathered and saved None Were !ost
who followed the advice of Captain W., and continued
with the wreck But as the boat had SUNK deep IN Inc
water and it became certain that she must 80 down,
number prepared floats and took their chance Tor escape
on them. OF these, eight are known TO have been
drowned and feared that others mel win IKE mel
ancholy fate 80.
| The passengers numbered between forty and fifty an
unusual proportion ladies', and several children NO Ia
4 \ ., 4 a,fan md
~ and forude OF the ladies throughout the trying scene,
are described remarkable Perous as was their sua
tion they needed the advice OF the officers, at Their
request urged their protectors to 20 below ana ASSIST IN
keeping the vessel aioai and made outcry until II
was apparent that the Harrison, in passing had not dis
covered the wreck when one OF them asked PERMISSION
of the captain also hail their best hope OF rescue, with
the remark, that womans shrili voice Could oe hearu
farther than mans. Woman's cry of agony, too, was
lost in the voice OF the louder sounding sea The lady
of Captain Warner board and before the boat
went down she taken to the masthead, and remain
ed there until the Harrison to the rescue
AS The books of the boat were lost 1t is impossible TO
obtain full list OF passengers al present The follow
! ing persons known to have been lost;
1 Passengers-Geo Van Doren, of Lower Sandusky,
Ohio Mrs. Hook, of Watertown, New York; E. Conn,
of Bellvile Ohio; and S York, of Tifhn, Ohio.
Crew--R Sutherland, st eng neer o. Wait, I'd porter
and r. McAiann, deck hand.
1t is greatly feared that Mr.. d. A. Folsom, of Roches-
ter New York. formerly OF this city, is also among the
lost When the small boat was leaving the wreck, ne
urged his wife 10 enter il with their child She was
willing 10 do unless he accompanied her With true
and noble observation-disclosures, he refused oembrace the
portunitv to save himself so long ladies' and children
were left board the sinking craft but, knowing the
mothers yearnng heart towards her tender oisprng he
placed the child the boat The mother chung to it. and
he babe her farewell from the gangway. Soon after,
\ Mr.. Folsom, in company with Young mana hand on
board-inrusted himself to the waves on hatchway
and plank fastened together. His companion was res
cued after daylight, nearly exhausted that HE was re-
stored with difficulty He stated that after floating some
time, Mr. +. said he thought they could sooner reach
shore If their floats separates and when last see n
Mr. T and his haichway in advance OF the plank
and its lone yoyager Ii is hoped that he either reached
4 land, or was picked up by passing vessel.
J Mr.. Van Doren was merchant at Lower Sandusky,
and leaves family mourn their unexpected bereave-
ment.
/ The officers of the Chesapeake did everything men
could do inspire confidence and exertion and TO
lie in the terrible eXgency.
Mr. Andrew Lyle, steward OF the boat, particular
" active in preparing boats for the of any who
chose them, and barely escaped When the boat sunk
he struck out on stateroom door, but after
the safer place that portion OF the wreck still
above water The wind and waves drifted him rap
idly that he could return and lying flat his buoy
he continued 10 struggle and float the frequently
dashing him. until picked up after daylight. nearly
exhausted
Passengers lost all their baggage-not single trunk
being saved The mail 10 Sandusky city also lost Abou
80 OF freight mostly dry goods and groceries, fol-
Sandusky city, on board. The clerks books, and about
IS 900 in money in his charge sunk with the boat The
Chesapeake belongs TO Messrs. d. n Barney g. Co The
Porter was loaded by A. Seymour Co, with 1905
bushels of and 20 barrels of pork IL is singular
circumstance that three vessels should be dowIfht
same night m the vicinitythe Rough and Ready
the Chesapeake, and the Porter. The night gusty
clear above, but misty the water and say APP
preaching lights appeared much farther distant than they
really
To Claimants, dc.