The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-06-25
MELANCHOLY DISASTER!
Collision between the Steamer Chess
npeakc and schooner John Porter.
BOTH VESSELS AND SEVERAL LIVES
LOST.

LOST.
The steamer Chesapeake aud schooner
John Porter came in collision about hall
past twelve O'Clock Thursday morning, when
some four or FIVE miles off Conneaut The
moment ihey struck the officers and hands on
the Porter jumped on board the Chesapeake
The boat aud vessel soon separated, the boat
backing of. The Porter was not supposed
TO be seriously injured, and The boat of the
Chesapeake was lowered 10 put the crew on
board the shooner when the vessel went
down.
About this tpe it was found that the
Chesapeake was fast filling. and unsuccess-
ful efforts were made TO stop the leak. The
boat was headed 10 the shore and all steam
crowded. The pumps we're set going,
and every effort was made to keep down the
water by bailing. Capt. WARNER had the
jib lowered over the bow, which was drawn
into the opening and partially aided in stay.
ing the rush of the waters. Notwithstanding
every effort, the water gained so rapidly that
the fires we're soon extinguished, and when
about mile and a half from shore the boat
lost her headway The wind was blowing
quite fresh from the south west, consdera-
BILE sea was running, and the aachor was let
60 to prevent drifting into the lake.
The Chesapeake's boat was Immediately
manned and filled with as many passengers
as il could carry, four Of them ladies, and
started for Conreaut for assistance, the win d
was so strong that the boat drified some two
miles below the pier Mr.. SHEPARD, Clerk
of the Chesapeake, ran up the beach, and
reached the pier just as the steamer Harri-
son was entering the port. Capt PARKER
promptly went 10 the rescue of the sufferers
with tho Harrison, took off the survivors on
the wreck, and picked up all that could be
found ahoat in The lake on hatches, planks
cabin doors, &c. A small boat from the
shore rescued some who were nealy exhaus-
ted from long bufeting the waves, upborn on
these torlorn hopes of drowning men.
After the Chesapeake was brought to anchor
she continued 10 sink gradually notwthsland-
ing every possible effort by pumping and
bailing to keep her ahoa', and at half past 3
o'clock the hull went down bow fore most in
40 feet wafer. The upper cabin parted from
the hull, and the upper deck remained out
of water. On this such of the persons on
board as had not previously left the boat
were gathered and saved. None were lost
who followed the advice Of Capt. W. and
continued with the wreck Bot as the boat
sunk deep in the water, and it became GER
tain that she must 60 down, a number pre-
pared hsats and took their chance for escape
on them. Of these, eight are known to
have been drowned, and ii is feared that 9TH
ers met with like melancholy fate.
AS the books of the boat were lost, it is
impossible to obtain full list of the passen-
gcrs atpresent. The following persons are
known to have been lost.
Passengers.
GEORGE VAN DoREN, Of Lowar Sandusky,
Ohio.
Mrs. HowK, of Watertown, N Y.
E. COVE, of Belville, Ohio.
s YEARK' Of Tffin, Ohio.
Crep.
r. SUTHERLAND, lst Engineer
o. Ware, I'd Porter.
r. McNABB, Deck hand