Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-09-05
TKkK.BLE SIEA MBOAT LlSAS-
TEN.

NV Yak. August 30.--A terrible
marine disaster has occurred off the
Rhode Island coast. involving the loss
Of many lives Ths steamer Netis, of
the Newport line. on her trips from New
York to Prosiience this morning, load
ed With passengers, struck a schooner and
sunk with al on board. The accident
occurred about four o'clock. The steamer
StoniDgton took off all the passengers that
could BE- found. The Merits dritted a.
shore at Watch Hill. with only her upper
deck abuve the water.
The Me,is had on board Que hun@Ted
and four passengers. aud fority-Eve deck
handle. wa tiers, &c.
The Mctis was .lniely altered from 4
freight to passenger boat. aud was valG-
eatat $4,000. Her cargo was p,ia-
cipally iruiL, and was valued at $50 600.
Most OF the passengers obtained their
tickets on board, aud list Of the names i,
not available.
STATEMENT OF THIS CAPTAIN.
SToNINeToN, August 30.-rThe follow :
irg is q statemeDtof Capt. Charles l.
Burton, of the steamer Mets: "We left
New York at 515 P. NJ. On the 29th
! of August. The weather was overcast
| and rainy, with fresh breeze from the
i;soulhcast. AT $40 A NJ, when be,
tween the two ight-houses of Montauk
/ Point aud Watch Hill. about FIVE miles
off the Rhode Island. the propeller was
run into by an uaxnsmn schooner, stelk
ing us forty feet abafl OF the stern, OF
nearly abreast Of the pilot house The
propeller was Immediately Stepped and
! tusne2 around. and We endesvofed te
find the vessel, but failed. I sent the
mates and pilot below to ascertain if the
propeller was making any water. They
reported to me Not, aud we considered
the damages very slight. We shen pro
ceeded On our way TO Providence. AZ
ter running few moments the Gag ineer
reported that the steamer was ratiliy
filing. I Immediately headed her for
the nearest shore, and used every exer-
ton in my power to save the passengers
and crew. Al this time the wind was
/ blowing a gale frem the southeast, ac-
eompanied by heavy raiA. Ii soon
became evident that the steamer mus
90 down. 1t was not longer than hal
an hour from the time sire was headed
for the shere until she sunk.
'Ths life-boats we're lowered and Giles
st once with pei sons anxious TO be saved
one OF the boats was swamped. but was see
righted by the chief engineer, who wa
| in her. lie sculled her up 30 the wreck
and she was again 10 sdsd With success
Aboa. ffty persons were left sa the uPpe
deck, which drifted with the gsle.-Th'
Storm stiH continued, and although
several vessels came in sight, meme re-
eoguiz.d u.. We continued in this per
'laus condition until about eight o clocl
/ A. M when we drifted On the bescl
| about half mile from the Watch Hi
light. The surf was worry high. and ON
danger vas increased by this time
Quite a large number Of people from sh
Watch Hill Hotel were oa the beach
profering aid, but all was Of no use
us.
/ "The roar Of the surf prevented an
communication. and it was evident t
IL IL L. --l.~h 6nak
must soon 60 to pieces. In few mom
ents the breaking up commenced, aud "
were all thrown into the surf. by tn
kindness of those on shore nearly al
we're saved from the pilot house an
upper works. [ am unable to say q
pressn. how many Of the crew and pass
eneers were lost with the hulk"