The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-29
THE STORM.

steamer Commodore, on Long Island
sOund-MirnculOus Preservation OF the
Passengers and Crevy-Only One Life
Believed to be eLost-DescriptiOn of the
Incidents of the Frightful Gale, Etc.
From the Nep York papers Of to-day.
The Sounu steamer Commodore, of the Stonington
line, left her pier IN New York, for New London, at
and % disa0 reesbe snow storm were preyailing % at
the tune, and as darkness approached, the weather
became more unaropihous, and betokened danger.
Gus trip.
Nothing. however beyond the ordinary events
which occur in severe orm, was experienced TIL
when she was struck by Terrific gale of wind on
her starboard bow which had the effect to stave in
heads, sweep away q smoke. stack, and wash over
board considerable quantity Of freight stored on
the decks
Captain Curtis in command OF the steamer, COM
pretending the perilous position she was IN, imme
which was bowing fercey from the west, but ouly
partially succeeded, although six men were sta
toned at the wheel. The more vigorous the efforts
to manage the vessel, the more uncomfortable she
became.
From the fact also of the fires of one OF the
boilers having been eXtinguished by heavy sea,
which dashed in on the weather side, the propell1nG
power OF the vessel was seriously lessened, and 1t
much possible, and trust to fate Tor the rest
when first struck by the gale, the Commodore
about eight miles from uorton's Point on the Long
Drifting for two and half hours, she came within
sight of the Hor' on Point light. She continued 10
drift towards the snore and after another two hours
of anxiety and suspense to those board she rode
over sand bar. and finally went aground about
stones throw from the beach. Means were then
taken to get the passengers ashore. boat was
lowered and manned by passengers and some of tine
crew, who succeeded in efEecting landing.
Unfortunately, however they did not take the
precaution 20 provide themselves with q rope with
which to attach the boat 70 the steamer conse-
quently much time was lost, and no little danger
hazarded by another party of three men who left the
steamer IN gig TO secure and bring back the boat
which had already reached the beach.
In connection with this affair of the boat, it is
it to the shore, only three of the number consented
to return to the steamer and afford assistance to
those remaining on board, Some of the number
who refused to discovered in the little
village OF Hermitage, enjoying good supper at the
time they should have Oeen eXerting their utmost
efforts to their less fortunate companions
After much hard labor on the part of the officers
9I the steamer, ar0pe was adusted to each end OF
shore. The ladies and children were first landed,
after them the men. Captain Curtis was the last
The passengers, over one hundred In number in
| cluding twenty ladies, ana the officers and crew,
well provided TOR by the citizens of Hermitage. At
10 A. M. most Of them took the cars at Southo!d
Station, on the Long Island Railroad, and came to
this city, arriving here at p al. None of the pas.
sengers had any baggage with them, and very few
were even fortunate enough to bring away 80 much
as a carpet-bag.
1t is stated by a passenger that he saw one man
leap overheard. he was personally acquainted with
him, and believes that inasmuch as he did not see
him after that moment, he was dro Hned. This
is the only instance of reported loss of life. Captain
BuddngtOn, an experienced seafaring man. and q
resident OF New London had his teet and hands
badly irost-bitten
THEIR PARTICULARS.
AS has been before Observed the list of passen gers
was not large The freight also light. Had the
steamer been heavily aden is thought the disaster
would have unavodably involved a serious loss OF
life.
Among the passengers were Mr. 1. s. Day, Presi-
dent of the lines Mr.. James II. Palmer, Treasurer
of the Stonington and Providence Railroad and
Mr +. ID. Noyes. Secretary of the same road. 1t is
due to these gentlemen to remark that they did all
in their power to aid in providing for the wants OF
the passengers after their arrival on shore. Mr..
asking that steamer should be sent down imme-
dIately to the wreck.
The vessel itself will prove a total wreck A por-
tion of the freight may possibly be saved, although
present indications do not favor that result. When
the passengers lett the beach, loose freight could be
| seen floating in every direction.
Every one will perceive how narrowly the human
beings board the steamer escaped with their lives,
when it is known that on either side of the point
where she grounded at the short distance of mile
and half, lie beds of dangerous rocks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL.
The Commodore was 205 feet in length land HOO
tons burden. She was valued at 800 600, and was
insured for $50 900 in New York and Boston offices
the larger portion of the risks being in Boston.
| She was built in New York about fifteen years
ago by Mr.. Ludger, and for some years ran between
| New York and Albany. She then took her place in
| the Stonington line. Lately she was thoroughly
| overhauled, and took the place of the Plymouth
! Rock, which vessel was laid up for repairs. She
| had on board q miscellaneous cargo valued at
| 100000.