Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-08-21
Accident on Long Island Sound.

journal. Inc lOIlONAiiS IL 1AS NN''
of Capt. Smith, of the vessel which was
sunk -
He says there were fourteen passen-
gers and a crew of eleven on board, but
the passenger list has gone down with
the propeller, and there is no means at
hand to obtain their names.
The propeller was three years old,
staunch boat valued at S22, 900 and own
ed by company. Mr.. j. n. Harris
from whom the boat was named, owned
fourth, and he Capt. Smith, had So
25O invested in her. She was insured
against fire, but there was no marine risk |
on her. She had valuable cargo OF
merchandise consigned to different parts
in New London, and probably uninsured.
The cargo consisted chiefly of provisions,
groceries, dry goods, and some 40 tons OF
pig, chain and bar iron.
The Metropolis struck us just forward
of the pilot house, and probably cut com
pletely through. We had a sail up at
the time. We had been stopped some
time when the collision occurred. have
nothing to say as to how it happened. 1t
was bright starlight and the weather was
; not rough. The women and children
were all lost. They were abed, and
: those that were asleep had hardly a
chance to save themselves. The propel-
7 Ter went down within less than five mi
7 nutes from the time she was struck. I
j have lost three little children that will
a be hard news to carry home
: While Capt. Smith was giving his state
e ment, an old gentleman walked into the
It cabin of the Metropolis, and approached
l, with an agitated manner. How do you
do, Mr.. Gordon ? said the captain, ex-
y tending his hand, and at the same time
g averting his face. The old gentleman
n, took the profered hand, and said in q
Of tremulous voice: l came to ask about
e, my daughter is she alive or not !? She
ID is gone ? said the Captain. My God
b. exclaimed the old man, as he burst intc
w tears. There were no dry eyes in tina
of cabin.
to Afterwards the Captain said to our re
it. porter She was a beautiful girl, onl,
ds eighteen years old. Mr.. Gordon CAV
ce her into my charge only yesterday after
lr- noon, to take her to her friends in Ne7
by London but now she has gone with m
Dr. children.
to Mr.. Gordon is Merchant tailor, do
,ly ing business at No. 65 Chatham street.
nd Capt. Brown of the Metropolis make
m the following statement of the disaster /:
ar Capt. VIM. H. Lewis, the first pilo
Id had charge OF the steamer at the time
ost the collision. He has been on the lin
Ia ever since it was established, and the1
ost is not more reliable pilot. He feels &
ar bad as Capt. Smith, and does not wish t
lis make any formal statement himself, bl
ter he has related the whole affair to me-
,oil We left Fall River about o'clock la
ous evening, with some 200 or 800 passeI
i've gers. About five minutes before tv
os- O'Clock, between Franklin Island and Ne
ely Haven, the pilot saw vessel about
2ng point and a half on the starboard bo
which we supposed to be a schoont
by She showed very little light aft, b
I'M no head light at all. She was going ea
and half southwest, and we were in the e
axe actly opposite course.
i'm When steamers meet, head to hes
= the rule is for both to port their helms
re- port and pass to the right, but sailing Vt
usi- sells we must give their course. So, su
posing this vessel to be a schooner on
free wind, our pilot kept off to the lie
ISL trying to pass on the south side, but S
'0i' saw that we were a steamer, and tryi
=, to pass to the right, brought us inevitat
VIII in collision. The bell was rung to st
n'er the engines, but in about a minute
"a struck between her masts. l had got
ead and got to the window when she stru
and The foremost went on our larbord be
lied and the mainmast on the STAFFORD be
one we were probably running at the rate
ana twelve miles an hour, and must have
In her through. 1t was bright starlight,
little haze in the water, but if there
been headlights we could have SC
q a them. L think the engines were
"al- versed, but am not positive. The {
PerS lision did not shake our boat much-p
'"n' sons aft might not have been awaken
u by it. The only damage to the Met
'eei polls is the loss of her cutwater. s
does not leak drop on account of it, q
90 "a we shall run back to Fall River TONIC
The live oak stem is scarcely scratch
but we may have to 90 on to the wa
when it is convenient, because the {