Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-09-26
Loss Of the Steamer Norfolk,

ISoS VI TIC SstaIHtI NUElOfAs
The Philadelphia papers contain some
further particulars Of the loss Of the steamer
Norfolk, Capt. Kelly, on her passage from
that port TO Norfolk aad Richmond, with
20 passengers, and crew of n persons, and
a valuable cargo. The par;iculars are fur
nishcd by George Z. Porter, Esq. Of tie
Baltimore Merchants Exchange, who was
a passenger on the steamer Joseph Whitney,
from this port. We copy the following.
The Norfolk left Philadelphia on Satur-
day morning, September 18th. and encoun-
tered heavy gale from H. S. f., on Sun
day evening, which continued to increase in
violence during the night. Between 10 o.
clock p NJ and A. NJ, she sprung aleak,
carried away jib, spankcr and force-spencer,
and to tighten her large portion of the
cargo was thrown overheard. Her head
was then turnd toward the beach. with the
view of running her on to save the lives of
those on board, but the ruddcr broke off
and she was left helpless wreck in yio-
lent gale and heavy sea, and at daylight on
Monday broke into pieces, then about ten
miles South of Chingoteague, the passengers
and crew barely having time to take to the
boats saving nothing but what clothes thew
had on before she went down, aqd was lost
entirely from view.
After being ON board the small boats IN
a heavy sea and high N. w wind for about
nine hours, they We're fallen IN with at -
=. M. by the stcaplslGp Joseph Whitney,
Captain lIowes, from Baltimore, bound to
Boston, issho succeeded in taking up three
of the boats, containing forty persons. The
fourth boat steered of in another direction
IN search Of a vessel which was in sight
but which did not heed them, and it was
not seen afterwards, but it is supposed made
for the shore. lhis boats crew, containing
the first and second engineer and 6rcmen
was afterwards picked up by the steamer
Caledonia, bound from Charleston 10 Balti-
more
The passengers I'll speak in the highest
praise Of the conduct of Capt Kelly and
his officers, Mr.. John Moore and Mr. ".
II Snyder, during the trying circumstances
OF the less of their ship. The captain stood
by the gangway, and would not allow sim
gle man to leave the ship untl the ladies
were all safely slowed III the boat 4; be then
had each boat provided with q compass AID
provisions &c., being himself the last to
leave the sinking ship.
1t is impossible to describe the feelings o.
the unfortunate shipwrecked people, upon
finding themselves once more safe on The
deck II the Joseph Whitney. Sumo of them
were almost entirely destitute of clothing.
while others ecrc but half oiad--most of the
ladies and children were without shoes anil
stockings, and from their exposure 10 the
high wind and sea- their garments generally
were nearly wasted .oG -tlem. In i snort
time they were made as comfortable as pos
sible, under the circumstances The officers
ami passengers of the Joseph Whitney did
all III their power; trunks were opcnel and
dry clothes Ecre rut upon all. The 1asseu
gers generally were anrsinittins in their at
tentlons to these unfortunate persoas In
this connection mention should be nale *
the kind and generous cepdpat cf "A poor
agiss. CIV, Margaret Finley, Who fills tie
position of stewardess Of the Joseph Whit
ney. Her Joy was uuspeakable upon wit
Messing the reggie OF the shifJgreened pcoie
she dcat out her clothes to them till tie
last piece was gone, save the clothes sho
had on, and she then gave up.her room fer
their farther accommodation. The rescued
crew and passengers expressed themselves
in high terms Of praise Of Capt. Howe, Of
the Joseph Whitney, and her crew and
passengers.
The tpliGwing named passengers on hoard
the Jos. Whitney were particularly hind tc
the sbipwrecked people Ali>> Lct.nan. ijrs
Thayer, Mss. Martha ice, ot Nd W. II
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