Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-17
Loss of the Steamer Monmouth and Nine
j Lives-The steamer Louisiana. &c

The fine steamer Louisiana Captain RUSSELL due
in Baltimore yesterday morning at o'clock from
Norfolk, did not arrive until in the afternoon,
having been detained in consequence of fearful col
sion which took place on the Chesapeake bay about
fifteen miles this side of Old Point Comfort between
the steamer Monmouth, Captain William s. Dansey,
and the brig Windward Captain Hutchinson. 1t APP
pears that about FIVE o'clock on Tuesday morning,
whilst the steamer was making a return trip from
York river to Baltimore she came in collision with
the brig the bowsprt of the latter striking the wheel
house of the Monmouth and injuring her machinery
to such extent to render unavalng all efforts
to work the engine AT the time the affair occurred
there violent storm on the bay and it was mo-
mentarily expected that the steamer would sink.
Captain Dansey set all hands to work in cutting
away the hurricane deck and getting ready to serve
as raft in case the steamer foundered. After the
lapse of about thirty hours during which every effort
was made to improve their condition, the steamer
commenced sinking, whereupon the party cut adrift
from the boat and committed themselves TO the waves,
which at the time were running very high. They
remained in this condition for three hours when the
steamer Louisiana passed quite near on the way to
Baltimore. Captain Russell heard cries of distress
and Immediately stopping the boat, despatched two
of her quarter boats for the purpose OF relief The
first boat valuable one by the way, swamped, and
was broken to pieces. The other was placed in
charge Of Mr.. Alexander Ward, second mate of the
Louisiana, and a noblehearted seaman After bat
ting the for four hours the officers of the boat
had the satisfaction of saving the following lives
Captain w. s, DanseyJ VIM Everett, clerk; j. o.
beaver, Isl engneeri george BAKE, lsk fireman H.
Bantem, I'd fireman; John Hack, deck hand; Mary
Robinson, (colored) chambermaid two children,
lads aged respectively seven and nine years. of
Mr. James Davidson Richard Cannon, 1st mate !;
James hutchinson, I'd mate Charles Reeder, cd
engineer, and VIM, Stokely, deck hand. The balance
of the persons on the Monmouth, and supposed to
be lost, were Matthias Matthew'S steward; VIM.
Woodward cook; Charles Phillips, coal passer !;
James Davidson and wife; Captain Hewett, of the
schooner Ada, of Baltimore, and two deck hands
whose names are unknown.
Shortly after the Monmouth was cast Off her an
chOrage she sunk. She is owned by company Of
gentlemen residing in Pongoteague and Richmond,
and is supposed 10 have been worth about $25 900,
AS for the assurances we not that any had
been effected upon her MIR. Hutchinson made mar
row escape lie was first dashed of one of the quar-
ter boats but succeeded in swimming up TO one Of
the paddle-wheels Of the Louisiana, up which he
climbed and was safely received on board.
The highest praise must be awarded TO the officers
Of the noble steamer Louisiana for their heroic exer-
tons and exposure Of their lives in order to render
assistance to the unfortunate and passengers Of
the Monmouth.
After the boat got under way, the passengers held
meeting, and after passing series Of resolutions
commenting the officers and crew, took up collec-
ton and gave 20 Mr. Ward handsome present The
sum of 81 also awarded TO each Of the colored
deck hands of the boat To the unfortunate little
phans, the Davidsons, the Of $40 was kindly
handed 70 Capt Russell for their relief The Captain
has the children in charge.