Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-05-30
The wreck of the Packet Ship Winchester.
Statement of Prof. Hkel Passenger board the Wash
- fngton.

The wreck of the Packet Ship winchester.
Statement of Prof. Hinkel Passenger o" board the Wash
SIR: As it may be of interest to your readers
to learn the full particulars in relation to the
wreck Of the Winchester, from Boston, with
which the steamship Washington fell in on her
way from Southampton to New York, submit
to you the following account:
On the morning of the I'd May, while under
furious gale, the sea was rolling mountain high,
the passengers Of the Washington were called on
deck by intelligence of adsmasted vessel drifting
in the direction of the steamer. About 10 A. M.
we were near enough to enable Capt. Fitch to
hail the vessel and ascertain that she was the
Winchester, of Boston, the Captain OF which en-
treated Capt. Fitch to stay by his ship and save
the passengers and crew. The latter was in a
most difficult position. To lower the boats and
venture out upon the waves, severely dashed by
the gale, was most perllous undertaking. BE-
sides, the Washington was filled with passengers,
and heavily laden. On the other side, hundreds
of human lives were at stake. The humane cap
tain of the Washington, however, was quickly de-
cided He communicated to his passengers his
resolution not to proceed until all done within
human power in saving the people on board the
wreck. There was, Of course, but one feeling of
er, who had soon an opportunity to observe the
circumspection, courage and nobility displayed
bv the brave seamen of the Washington.
No sooner had Capt. Fitch made known his no
bic resolution, when Mr.. King, first officer of the
Washington, at once stepped forth and called upon
the crew for volunteers to board the wreck. From
among the brave sailors, who without exception
offered their services, he chose four excellent
seamen. a life boat was lowered. Although
their own lives were in imminent peril, since it
appeared nearly impossible that u boat should
live upon such sea, yet Mr.. King with his men
ventured out upon an enterprise, the obvious dam
gers of which could not but excite the highest ad-
miration for their heroism, as well as the trTest
regard for their selfforgetful love of their fellow
men. All eyes were fixed upon the boat IN which
these heroes, after supcrhuman exertlons, at
length succeeded to get alongside the Winchester.
However, it was found mpractcable to board
the wreck, as the sea was making complete
sweep over it and the boat. The Captain OF the
Winchester threw bottle into the boat, which
contained letter requesting their rescue, and
stating the number Of passengers and crew as
being AS. Mr.. King again reached the steamer
in safety, and Immediately left once more, with
the answer of Capt. Fitch, sealed up in bottle.
This time, however, the noble seamen nearly fell
a sacrifice to their humane intentions. Coming
air chamber commenced to sink. Ropes were
thrown from the Winchester, by means of which,
first the four sailors, and last Mr.. King, were
snatched from watery grave.
On board the wreck, spectacle was presented
to MIR. King, of the most .heart-rending descrip-
ton. The passengers, Of every age and sex, in a
state Of unspeakable anxiety, excitement and ex-
haustion, were partly lying on deck, and though
secured by ropcs-owing to the tremendous roll
ing of the ship, continually Knocked about in
such manner that the arms, fingers and legs of
many were broken, and all suffering from pain
full Commissions. The remainder of the passengers
and crew were engaged at the pumps, which they
fo Of
board by the rolling of the vessel. Upon seeing
Mr.. King, those on deck crept up to him on their
knees crying piteousy, and entreating him to take
them off the vessel. All, however, appeared to
be resigned, and their bearing was remarkable for
proofs of religious truth. MIR. King, wet through
out and nearly fainting, yet tried to console the
passengers-assured them they should be taken
care of, and recommended them cheesfully to work
the pumps. Also, Mr.Moore, Captain Of the Win
chester, who had the kindness Of relating to me
these proceedings on board the wreck, was an
swcred that Captain Finch had resolved to stop
until all were saved, and to leave Mr.. King on
board as a guarantee of his intentions. Mr.. King
being provided with dry clothes by Capt Moore,
and feeling somewhat better, went among the
passengers, consoling and re-assuring them of
Capt. Fitch's determination. During the night
regular signals were exchanged with the Washing
ton. There Captain Fitch, never leaving the deck,
guided with admirable skill, the movements of
the steamer, which, despite the heavy gale, he al
ways kept near the drifting Winchester, at the
same time experimenting the preparations for
embarkng and saving the crew of the wreck
Early on the morning of May Sd, four life boats
were lowered, and Captain Fitch directed their
movements with so much circumspectiOn, and as
sisted by his chief engineer, Mr.. Matthews,
watched with much prudence, care and kind
ness, the getting on board the wrecked passen-
gers, that the whole operation was finished with
out the slightest accident. Captain Moore and
Mr.. King were the last on board the wreck, which
began rapidly to go down, taking off the Amcri-
can flag, as neither of them liked that emblem of
liberty to become a prey to the waves.
The wreck, twenty minutes after being totally
abandoned, was engufed in the sea. On board
the Washington, the expressions of regard and
gratitude given to Mr.. King on the part Of all,
were of the most affecting and touching nature
and although that brave and noble officer but
thought to have done the duty of every American
seaman, yet the reception on board the Washing
ton, coming with Mr.. Moore, the last of all, un-
doubtedly will be of themOst cherished re-
membranes of his life. The Washington now pro-
ceeded on her way, and her passengers had again
an opportunity to admire the mastery arrange
ments and unwearied exertions of Capt. Fitch in
behalf of the wrecked passengers; and the care
taken of them by him and his officers were unrc-
hitting to the end of the voyage. Nor were the
services of DIR. Fulmer, of the Washington, in
behalf of the sick, less remarkable for skill, the
most careful attendance and success. The pas
scngers of the Washington parted from the Off
GERS of that ship with feelings of the highest
regard, and conscious that with the help of the
Almighty, the latter had performed a great and
good deed.
Your obcdicnt servant,
CHI. HINKLE, No. 9, Safest, n. Y.
Cy'Thc Alton Telegraph refers to a very sim
gular phenomenon which recently occurred in the
heavens at that place. 1t undoubtedly
electrical phenomenon, and may have something
to do with the health of that particular locality.
The Telegraph says:
N &lo lo,o ILL