Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-01-04

The WRECK OF TIE COSpiODORE.-The steam
er Commodore, which left New York on Thurs
day afternoon for Stonington, was wrecked neat
morning a mile North Of Horizons Point and SIX
miles west Of Greenrort, Long Island, and was
goip- 10 pieces last evening. the waves rolling
over her She was built in 1913, At Greenpoint,
near Williamsburg, L. l., and was one Of the
Oldest boats on the Souns. Her value was ; l5O,-
600, and the insurance 100000.
The passengers Of the Commodore give the
following account Of the frightful condition OF
affairs on board during the night:
The steamer went along very well until
O'Clock in the evening, when most terrihc gale
arose from the west (astern), and prevailed with
intense violence The steamer laborel very
heavily until of Corufed lghtship, then she
preached to, and instantly became unmana.e-
able, her smokestacks going by the board.
There vas general breaking and crashing Of
lamps, tables, chairs and fixtures IN the saloon
hall, staterooms and cabin. The stoves topplet,
and it was only by the utmost Efforts Of the
crew and passengers on board that The vessel
was prevented from burning up. There was an
alarm Of FIRE, but the flames were e1tinguished
and did but little damage. At ten o'clock the
fires were all put out and danger from that
source ayerted. From II O'Clock at night until
one o'clock in the morning the vessel was wholly
unmanageable, and all ON board expected her TO
20 down. II would be impossible TO describe the
scene. Many persons were constantly engaged
IN prayer, and a few lost their seli-possession
entirely.
The wind continued from the west and the
tide came in nearly an opposite direction. The
pilots and engineers enjeay0rei TO get the vessel
ashore on Long Island. For two long hours the
steamer driited at the mercy Of the waves. the
captain and pilots being successful only IN
I d. sNa 4 Ia
setting her toward the Long Island shore.
About two O'Clock in the morning Horizons
Point was made, the gale continuing without
abatement
The steamer gradually driftei into Little Bay,
two miles west Of Horizons Point Light The
anchors we're then dropped in about two fathoms
OF water. A part Of the cargo had been thrown
overheard. The pumps we're kept constantly at
work 1T the same time two lines Of bailers
were formed and did admirable service. In this
condition the boat lay until daylight. when the
water gained 20 rapidly that II Was decided TO
beach the vessel, which was done most success
fully.
The gale soon became stiIl more furious, If
such were possible Efforts were made to
launch the hie-heais the larges; Of six or
seven was lowered, and tWeHty persons took
their Places It and il went in upon the break
ers.
Nearly all on board l,apet into the water and
escaped to the shore, leaving the boat in posses
sion of an officer, who couldn't manage it. An
other boat was lowered which took q line ashore
which was fastened there By its aid the first
boat returned to the vessel and thus carried
i've loads ashore, which comprised all the pas
sengers.
1t the Peconic station Of the Long Island
railroad they took cars Tor Hunters Point 1t
is reported that two men (emigrants) were
washed overheard, but We have no positive evil
dence Of this.
The New London Sar of Friday evening
says
a few week since Mr. Ammidon, Unitei
States Inspector Of this district, forbid the Com
mOdore from running. and she was hauled Of
and repaired 10 some extent, and went on the
line again. She has not been safe in gale for
some time, and II is extremely fortunate that 10
lives were lost.
Mr.. James j. Duncan. ole Of the Ias-cn-
gers. makes the following statement
"The coloroi Walters refused to work, they
having procured lie Treserrcrs and we're seated
about the stoves, trying 10 Keep themselves
warm. The officers dii everything in their DOW
er to keep the b0a- af7at The crew filed them
selves with liquor from the bar room, most Of
them being helplossiy drunk. By the constant
exertions Of the passengers the vessel wa kept
afoat. After having landed / saw some Of the
hog-frames Of the boat, and found that they
were entirely rotten. do not think the boat
Was EeawOrthy, and think the owners culpsble
for allowing her 20 leave m such weather The
Old Colony and City Of Boston, which we're
ahead Of u, reached their destination without
any difficulty.
APPRECIATION or HUWoR-A Paris, Ken
lucky, correspondent OF the Cincinnati Times
writes
humorous lecturer, who came here recent
~, sent his agent on a couple Of days ahead to
smooth his way. On his arrival, he found Mr..
Agent most thoroughly Bourbonizel. Whether
or not there i "a Bourbon among US, he had
certainly been among good deal Of Bourbon.
The following dialogue eusued between lecturer
and agent
Lecturer" What are tie prospects -
Agent" Splen'ii prospecs"
Lecturer What sort Of a house do you
reckon well have7''
Agent-"thic) Full"
Lecturer-''About bow full -
Agent-"(hicl Full'rn tick
Lec;urer-''Do you think the people here ap-
preciate humor2'
Agent-"Preshate humor Well. If as'n q
teller to drink ey'ry fin minutes is presha-
ton Of humor, they've (hic) got it 80