The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-08-27
Shocking Disaster Oh the
Sound. =

the PropelMr s. N, Harris, from New
York for New London, causing the lat
ter to sink almost instantly, with the
loss of twelve Of her passengers and
crew. The disaster resulted from de-
ficiency of lights on the Propeller, the
pilot of the Metropolis mistaking the
Propeller for schooner, and shaping
bis course accordingly in different di-
rection from that which custom required
him to take in meeting steamer. The
Metropolis picked up twelve persons and
laid by the spot some hours, hoping to
save others. The sum qGs$495 was
collected on the Metropolis for the re-
lief Of the survivors. Mr.. Johu ?.
Dunn, Of Wiiiiamsburgh, N. Y, one of
the passengers on the j. N. Harris, gives
tho following account -
"Having been unable to sleep from
the noise npachinery, was just
rising FROM berth, at 2 o'clock on
Saturday mornining, TO 90 on deck, when
| was thrown from my berth, and at the
very same moment heard a most fearful
crash. | and two or three others rush
ed for the cabin door, but in our confu-
sion we were unable to open it. The
door having been subsequently, opened
by the force Of the water, | rushed out,
knowing that there was window just
at the foot Of the stairs leading to the
upper deck. Those who were not so
fortunate as to be aware of that fact
were washed back and Of course perish
ed. The window was completely under
water, but got through it aud rose to
the surface Of the water; l swan to-
wards the wreck of the fast sinking pro-
peller, but was washed off again by the
by the deck load falling on me, and was
Immediately sunk by the weight. /
out for the wreck while under water,
and in again attempting to rise, was
struck by the floating rubbish and sunk
unconscious. From that time remem-
bered nothing until my head struck the
wheel of the Metropolis, which | grasp
ed, and there found four of my fellow
passengers. We there cried out for
help as loud as we could, until small
window at the top of the wheel-house
was opened, by the light Of which we
we're enabled to clambeE up the buckets
the wheel. We were then dragged IN
through the window, need scarcelysay
in an exhau ted state. Fortunately for
me I had laid down in my berth in my
pants and shirt, divcsted OF my boots,
vest, coat, collar, &c. Oa board ofthe
Metropolis was stripped of my wet
garments, and kindly cared for by the
cclored walters of that steamer, who
washed me with brandy and provided me
with dry clothes, and these good follows
nobly refused mpensation from me for
their kind attention. | was fortunately
in condition to renumerate them if
they would accept it, as my porte mon,
naie was in my pantaloons pocket. 1t
is but an act of justice to mention that
Mr.. Rice, the courteous steward of the
Metropolis, behaved in the most gener-
Gus and hospiiable manner to myself and
my fellow sufferers, and furnished me
with his own clothing to enable me to
reach my home. | saw nothing OF Capt.
Brown from the time | miracuous!y
clambcred or board the Metropolis,
through the wheel, until | left the yes
sci / was rendered pecuniary aid by
the committee on board the steamer
which, not needing as much as others, ]
declined, as did some of my fellow pas
seBgers. | cannot attempt to describe
the trembling and awful sensation which
I experienced when in the wheel, fear
ing that some necessity would arise for
- Ramer I've either backward OF
"a kle evolution of the
~ ~oa 1led four of US into
$atery gfa|flom which we had just
so poyidontially emerged. Nor will |
in this public statement, obtrude the
feelings Of domestic joy which were shec
around my parental heme when | was
1clasped to the arms Of a father, mother
and sisters, aft such an hair breadth
escape. | am young man, and | can.
not conclude this statement--after the
expression of my gratitude to Divine
Providence-better than with a word o
advice to other young men. Let one o
your first accomplishments be to learn I,
swim. IL bad not perfect con6dcnc,
in myself as a good swimmer, | shoul,
not have baiilrd so long and so pcrsever
ly with the water"
---- -
nay- A queer hoax is in circulation i
Michigan, to the effect that n prett
school ma am has been put into the stat
prison for beating child so That il died
her term Of imprisonment TO be ended a
soon rs any young man consents TO mar
ry her out Iler father, as the stor
AAA Aa.. -. =. =.