Minnesota weekly times., 1854-05-30
The wreck Of the Packet Ship Winchester.
Statement of Prof. Hnkel Passenger board the Wash
inqton.

Tho wreck Of the Packet Ship winchester.
Statement Of Prof. Hnss 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 adismasted 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 lashed by
the gale, was a most perious undertaking. Be-
sides, the Washington was filed 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 was done within
human power in saving the people on board the
wreck. There was, of course, but one feeling OF
appreciation among the passengers of the steam
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
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 1t
appeared nearly impossible that boat should
live upon such sea, yet MIR: King with his men
ventured out upon an enterprise, the obvious dan
gers of which could not but excite the highest ad-
miration for their herosm, as well as the truest
regard for their self-forgetf love of their fellow
men. All eyes were fixed upon the boat In which
these heroes, after superhuman exertions, at
length succeeded to get alongside the Winchester:
However, it was found impracticable 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
near the wreck, their boat broken in the forward
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
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 contusions. The remainder of the passengers
and crew were engaged at the pumps, which they
fOr of
board by the rolling of the vessel. Upon seeing
Mr.. King, those on deck crept up to him on their
knees crying piteously, 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 faintng, yet tried to console the
passengers-assured them they should be taken
care of, and recommended them cheerfully 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 MIR. King on
board as 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
embarking and saving the crew of the wreck
Early on the morning of May 3d, 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 so much prudence, care and kind
ness, the getting on board the wrecked passen-
gers, that the whole operation finished with
out the slightest accident. Captain Moore and
Mr.. King were the last on board the wreck, which
began rapidly to 90 down, taking off the Ameri-
can flag, as neither Of them liked that emblem of
liberty to become prey to the waves.
The wreck, twenty minutes after being totally
abandoned, was engulfed 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 one 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 masterly 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 unre-
mitting to the end Of the voyage. Nor were the
services of DR.. Fulmcr, of the Washington, in
Ucht1 VI tno YIN, lcSS fcudrkuUlc lOr Sklll, tuc
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, State-st., n. Y.
cyThe Alton Telegraph refers to very sim
gular phenomenon which recently occurred in the