The Portland daily press., 1866-12-29
Loss Of the Steamer Commodore.

RIVER HEAD, L. L, Dec. 28
The Sound steamer Commodore has gone
ashore one mile north of Horizons Point, and
now lies bows out of water, the tide having
fallen. Three boat loads of passengers have
been landed. The steamer is fast breaking up
No lives were lost. All on board were safely
landed. A portion of the freight and all the
baggage may be saved. The steamer will he a
total wreck. Her passengers have all gone for
ward to New York. The Commercial saws the
Commodore was valued at $500 insured
for 100000.
New YORK, Dee %.
The steamer Commodore left her dock at the
usual hour last evening and proceeded well
until about 8 p. M. A most terrific gale then
arose from the West and prevailed with intense
violence: The steamer labored very heavily
until off Cornfeld lightship. There she
broached to and instantly became unmanaeea-
ble her smoke-stacks going by the board
Ihere was general breaking and crashing of
lamps, tables, chairs and fixtures in the saloon
nal, state rooms and cabin. The stoves top
pfea, f a. ana II was only by the utmost exertions
OF the crew and passengers that the vessel was
prevented from burning up. There was an
alarm Of fire but the flames were soon extin-
guished, and did but little damage, At ten
o'clock the fires were all put out and danger
ION tnat source averted. From II o'clock last
night until 1 o'clock this morning, the vessel
was wholly unmanageable, and all on board
expected her to 90 down. 1t would be impos-
sible to describe the scene. Many persons
were constantly engaged in prayer and a few
lost their self-possession entirely. The wind
turned from the West and the tide came in
from nearly an opposite direction. The pilot
and engineers endeavored to get the vessel
ashore on Long Island. For two long hours
the steamer drifted at the mercy of the waves
The captain and pilot were successful oriv in
keeping her head nearly South The Hood
tide setting her toward the Long Island shore.
at about 2 o'clock in the morning Horton's
Point was made, the gale continuing without
abatement. The steamer gradually drifted in
Little Bay, two miles West of Horizons Point
Light. The anchors were then dropped in
about two fathoms of water. The cargo had
been thrown overheard. The pumps were
Kept constantly at work, at the same time two
lines OF bailers were formed and did admirable
service. In this condition the boat Law until
daylight, when the water gained so rapidly
that 1t was decided to beach the vessel which
was done most successfully. The gale becom-
ing still more furious-it such were possible
efforts were made to launch the fife boats.
Inc largest OF six or seven was lowered and
twenty persons took their places in it and
went upon the breakers. Nearly all on board
leaped into the water and escaped on shore
leaving the boat in possession of an officer who
could not manage it. Another boat was low
cred which took line ashore, which was fast
ened there. By its aid the first boat returnad
to the vessel and thus carried five loads to the
iand, wnlcn comprised all the passengers. At
the Peconic station of the Long Island Rail-
road, they took cars for Horizons Point. It is
reported that two men, emigrants, were wash
ed overheard, but we have no positive evidence
OF this. The Commodore proved herself a re-
markably strong boat, otherwise not a passen.
ger would have been saved. The Plymouth
Rock will take the place of the Commodore on
the line in a few days. 4 41--rI