New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-06-16
TIOGA CO.-[Omcial.l
Disaster on Lake Erie-Fnrther Particulars.

We gather the following painfully interesting
particulars Of the wreck Of the schooner Porter
and the steamer Chesapeake of Conneaut Ohio
on the 9th inst from the Cleveland PLAN Dealer
The Chesapeake and Constellation were coming up
from Buffalo at about - Wednesday night and when
of Connesut the schooner Porter, bound down took
sheer 10 escape the Constellation and came In contact
with the Chesapeake IL is said her wneesmsn siter
escaping the Constellation was ordered TO make the
Chesapeake light in her fore rigging and As the latter
made of she followed up until the engine of the steam
er stopped and water backed but the schooner soon
overlook her and struck her the srboard bow. Al
the instant Of the collision the hands OF the Porter
sprang aboard the steamer and the vessel continued s
course into the Lake Capt. Warner thinking that
neither vessel much injured put about tor the Por'
ter in order return her but he neared her
he saw she was sinking and by the time the small boat
lowered, she had disappeared.
At this moment the Captain was informed the steam.
or WAS leaking All hands woe called 10 the pumps
the gained and the passengers set 10 bsng
The hrenen driven from the bold by the rush of
water The Captain had ordered her 70 be ashore,
and she accordingly headed to but before proceed
ing the had put out her res and the engine
stopped. Her anchor then let so to msntsin her
position, as the wind was blowing fresh from shore
From this time 10 the moment Of her going down was
occupied in preparing floats to get ashore.
While the Chesapeake was lying at anchor, and for
about half hour before she went down few can I'm
sgine the terrible on board The wind was blow.
ing fresh from shore forbdding all hope 70 those who
would seek land on floats. Many dare not stay on
board not knowing the depth below them, and Tearing
when the steamer sunk they would be swallowed In the
whirlpool che would make Death seemed inevitable
and the only alternative lett them was 10 drown Win
the wreck or in vain effort reach shore In this d.
emma with the bosi fast sinking under them, me ex.
element is described as terrific The bell was Kept
ringing and lights burning for signals The passengers
coupseng aud cheering one another and prepar-
ing whatever they could which 10 ost The Captain
cooy advising the passengers that their only hope
with the wreck. He assisted his wife and another
aerrla
trees Mr. Lyle stewart of the boat, was very acive
and selfpOssessed helping such AS wanled help 10 MS
own imminent danger.
At length her bow began 10 fall and the cry was heard
she's goingl' One loud long and unesrihly shrek
arose simultaneously from the despsirng multitude,
such as the survivors say still ringing In their
and such they wish 10 hear again. she sank
in seven fsthoms water about one and half miles from
shore Her upper deck broke loose from the boat and
os,ed upon the water kept stationary by hanging and
being lashed 20 the mast But many had taken 10 their
floats some settces. pAnks, cabin doors tables &c
&c and floating about One man was seen to cap
size his plank and the last Of him he the I'M
der side of it. his fingers only visible, holding on with
death grasp.
gentleman and bis wife were seen on small hos,
sometimes sinking and then rising 10 the surface The
lady not having presence of mind enough 10 guard
against inhalng water when she went down, be-
strangled exhausted and died beside her husband
Mr.. Van Doren. merchant of Lower ssndusky, with
four others made rs OF several pieces, which soon
went apart and he sank to rise more.
The most touching incident was the case Of Daniel
Folsom his wife and child. When the engine ceased to
work the yawl boat manned and sent ashore in
charge OF Mr. Shepard. the Clerk. Ten men were put
board and four women. Among the latter was Mrs.
Folsom. She at fret refused 10 90 without her hus
band. He knew II was no time 10 debate such ques-
ton and instantly rssOrad 10 the only argument that
could prevail by seizing her child and putting Il aboard
when she Immediately followed. and the husband took
aectonste leave OF her At IN gangway the boat
departed. lie siterward Joined a friend In making a
rat, noafsd hut
they could do better by separating he took his plank
alone and mas not since been heard Of Ills friend
saved.
The Chesapeake was struck BY the schooner about
quarter u o'clock. She went down about halfpast
q While on the bottom. and her passengers and crew
hanging TO the wreck and floating about amid darkness
and strong the steamboat Harrison hove in sight
from Buffalo. She was hailed by every on board
shouting simultaneously. The winds being high hosted
away the sound The ladies then proposed to Try their
shrl voices alone. They sent forth shrek both loud
and shr. but could not penetrate the suky midnight
air, nor De heard above the noise Of the tempest The
Harrison pursued her into hsTbor unconscious
OF danger around.
By this time the clerk and his boat load had reached
shore. They had been carried down below the pier
distance for Of 10 row the boat witch
had been forgotten. He up the beach 10 the pier
Just as the Harrison making fast She put about
immediately and reached the wreck in a very few min
She took al aboard that remained and went 20
picking up those sfost Il was about daylight and
objects began 10 be visible al distance. The lake
strevn with fragments Of the wreck and pSssen-
were floating in every direction. Some were picked
up i've miles from where the boat went down. After
cruising round till about A. NJ the Harrison left SANS
ned ths, ali who had survived had been rescued The
last found the tender. Henry Haas he
sitting upright Of the hsehes had been saoat
about i've hours and stasned 70 be perfectly
helpless. Mr. Lyle picked up By Ayawl boat from
land after floating shout ststeroom door some :.
hours and was quite exhausted.
Mrs. p. ; Marsh OF Buffalo had two children and
servant girl on board With true maternal affection,
she dashed Of her children herself and the other
TO her servant and refused be put on board the Ha
risou except she had bound her little family To-
gether. One gentleman threw Away his pocket book
with 5000 IN II thinking Is better 10 let swim ashore
than 10 sink with him. The Captain picked II up, and
after the rescue restored IL 20 is frightened owner All
su.sk well of the remarkable GOODNESS Of Capt Warner
and the attention and kindness Of bis crew, especially
Mr. Lvtla ana the "a Mate All was done BY them that
could be- and no blame believe Ia attached TO any
on board. - ,
We are Indebted 20 n. 3. seymour, ID Clerk, for
many of the above facts.
A. near ss be ascertsned there we're u pAssen-
gers saved. The whole number on beard cannot os-
nnitely be known. As the Clerks books were lost
OF those known 10 be drowned are the following 81
the passengers
Mrs HOAX wstertown, NJ Y. g Van D0ren, San.
du.ky; E Cone, Beilvine, o.; 6. York TIM, o. VI
the crew southerlsnd Chief Engineer; 0rso1 Ware
I'd Porter; r MoNsb, deck hand.