The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-02


Annexed viii Be found most interesting account a
the late sad affair at the Highlands. II 10 copy u
letter from Nh. Beatty to his brother -
PoRr MONMOUTH, Nov. 20, 1854.
DxA1 B2oTnKR-I have had another hard tussel wilb
death, in company with Captain McCerren On Mondey
last out in Spemacetti Cove after ducks the
weather was cold and the wind was squaiIy We had
shot ducks and chasing smother Hock when
squalf struck our boat and capsized her. We were
then ono and half miles from either shore and about
two and hsk from the Highlands. There were two
schooness close to the Sandy Hook side cove beat
ing out, and the steamboat Thomas @ Hsight passed
within of mile of and betwecn us and
the schooner and cou plaoly tho people looking
az through their spyass but they attempted 10
send any assistance. The water very cold, and
VIC we've sinking very fast.
After being in The water about hours and seeing
no assistance coiNg 70 Capt McCerren up HIS
mind he would attempt 90 swim on, shore He was fast
becoming exhausted, and knew he could never reach
the shore alive and made him me with nv poe
ket handkerchief anil then took my knife and cut the
peak and throat hsiy-ins and uurore them TO lash u
fasS 10 the boat in doing which got entange With the
othfr ROPES and w,nt overheard and undor the boat
knife ousof sy mouth, where put it coming the
surface. asIa cu himself free from then got down
in the boat aS got an oar and OF the thwar and
handed them TO him, when found the boat tonched the
bottom, and began thuEping.
again tex Turn OF rope around nin and tried TO
nsake him fast to me, but lad become SO cold j
cosild not make knos but held the two parts in
my hand. Capt McCerren had then become so much
exhausted that he determined to SGT out for tho
nearest beach, which distant about half "a mile Al
the time the boat touched bottom, and commenced
humping cculd not see my assistrnce coming from
any quarter, ard could not prevail on him 10 stop
with srsi reluctantly him depart for the
shore. When he lett me he could touch bo. tom and
there was possibility Of his reaching the beach before
he pcrished, lie had under one arm aud \
twart under the oAr; but between the boat and the
beach there rtTy deep holes, one OF these
poor McCerIen sans and has no4 been since.
watched him with anxious eve as long as csuId
retain my position the boat but was washed e0
several times after he left me- Ny the humping
count for my not pesksng Is by the exertion to
use IN scramblng back on the boat, and thumpiog my
self when got there.
About half an horr after Captain McC left me. .
boat from of the schooners Abeve mentioned came
to my rescue and carried to the house on
the beach, where ] was kindly taken care Of have
been searching for his body with ohers that could
get to help me- but as Jet without finding It, win re-
main in this ncghborhJod long there liz a possi-
biity OF finding it, and you win 0ole by calling ut
house and relieve anxiety that may exist there
And this s the last OF Capt. Robert McCerren-a man
with whom have had such har.breadth escapes from
death In many instances, and in different parts Of the
world to be drowned in sig h Of me- and infve or six
feet of water! Verify the ways Of the Almighty
Inscrutable.
You will please give this letter 10 the editor Of tho
NEW York HERALD for putlcation and obgc yours re-
spectfully, EDMUND BEATTY.