, 1865-09-22

The Steamer ASPnrtan,s Wrecked In
Laclltne Naplds--Thrc Hundred Pus-
xeneern 4Abonrd-TlaEtlitnE Scenes,

Luclltne eIkaplds-Thrcc Hundred Pus-
xenccr4 tAhonrxl-TlaEtlitnES Scenes,
Correspondence or the Washington Chrunicle.J
The Spartan, newly built, LIFT Kingston at
5 g. H., on the 3Gth, on her downward passage
TO Quebec. There were on board about 40
passengers, including 70 marines belonging to
Il. NJ. :. Duncan. who, With their Lieutcnant,
from pleasure tour on the lakes. The day
was lovely, and the route through the Thou.
eand Isles" dream Of beauty. We were Just
through dinner, when the Captain announced
the Rapids Of Long sault." The passengers
crowded the saloon decks, md there, fascinat-
rious river, the afternoon worr away to-
ward sundown. The descent Of the steamer
through the angry, foaming rapids; the re-
frckli}6g sail through Like ST. Franz,
els, with dimly-wooded islands scattered
IKE s9yss 4Renc cir a. Rsn ths
was exhilAratlug to Intensity, and then ca1ns
The last perilous somersault over the Lachins
RapIds-the most exciting, dangerous descent
Of all, aud until Of late only pI1oted By In
dams. We had passed Lachine village, also
Point dn Chcne. long epit,of land BELONGING;
banging over the distant woods, like silver
web, increased III density apl gathcred closer:
on the tivcr. The pilot believed himself un-
able, with this insufficient light, to descend
the rapids, and, amid a 1nurmrr Of regret from
those on bourd, the command was given to
from some miscalcnlatton or other, struck
sunken ledge Of rock. She caught just abaft
tue paddles mud forged ahead with sharp,
saving noise, beginning to fill Immediately.
The steam carried her about two lengths Of
the vessel from the place where she struck,
and then the rushing waters extfnguish'ns the
fires, she sunk in over twenty feet of
water.
|. :. The scene On board was appalling. Her at.
ter compartments having filled, she carecned
nearly over, and It was feared would carry all
On deck with her. But gradually. owing to
the hatches being open, the waller rushed into
@No dengrr,1' shouted the Captain, "to the
other sidei;'' and We, stricken With q deadly
fear Of whit might happen, not knowing our
extreme peril, followed our guides, who, In
this emergency; thank God, were efficient
! ones, The ship. was burning herself rapidly !;
the saloon deck was filing! yp on 70 the
wildly to md fro, obeying the or.
dcrs of those who feared that at
any moment the boat might 70 down, drag
gtDg US With It.. The crew, :stupefed and
torpid; became manageable; and Lieutcn.
ant Richardson, With his marines, obtained
permission to lover the boats. Midway be-
tween us aud The Caughnewnga shoro there
rowed ua for dear lie In about twenty mln-
utes from tie time the vessel struck, she had
snnk to her present depth and within that
time, owing 10 the. cxertions and energy Of
several gentlemen, among Whon, most PROM
incnt, wee the gentlemen Of our party, the
passengers were all safely landed :ou this pier.
First, The ladies' and invalids, before gentle
man was allowed to leave the boat.
Alter the first confusion had suhsided, tho
utmost calmness prevailed. The terrible fact
seemed to freeze Them into marble ladies re-
fused to 1eaye their husbands, and men were
80 ra1alyzed, So bereft Of action, that they Ind
to be lifted like children into the boat. There
hut hefare all we're taken otf, the Indians, pull
Ing for lilo and death, came to the rescue We
had escaped with our Hscs and the clothes VIC
wore, but the pier vas ftafl support, and
storm Faa coming on. The Captain gnEo Or
ders to row Us to the Caughnewaga shore.
where 8 large IRE had been butt Us beacon
Light. Many of the ladies' refused at first to
trust themselves in The storm and darkness to
the Indian canoes /; bnt better sense con-.
trolling: them, upon eccond thought, they
were, after few hours detention, safely ashore
Here, hudd1ed, closely together IN an Indian
cart, amid the storm and pitchy darkness, we
rode jostling through the woods, two and Q
bali miles TO the hotel--so glad, 50 grateful
that VIC were on f<rra ,arma, with our lives,
Jet in our own possession. 's:.@'
/: -Tha hotel was ctamnaed to overfowing, 20
the ladies' turned down q chnir for pillow
and with the par1or floor for o. he'd, rested
Though the ight.- The gentlemen took pos
session in like manner Of the dining hall II
the morning. VIC were fer7ied across me
BY the mall line to Montreal, an item Of curl.
osity amid the crowded city, as the tale Of
our distress had preceded the shipWreekea
passengers. - !