Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-31
Another Terrible DiSa Sfcr.

NEW YORK, August 30-A terrible marine
disaster has occurred off the Rhode Island
coast involving the loss of many lives The
steamer Metis of the Newport line, on her trip
from New York to Providence this morning
loaded wit passengers, struck a schooner and
sunk with all on board The accident occur
red about four o clock The steamer Stonng
ton took off all the passengers that could be
found. The Aletis drftcd ashore at Watch
Hill, with only her upper deck above the wa
ter. She had on board one hundred and four
passengers, aud tprty.tive deck hands, wal
ters DC.
The Mctis was lately altered from freight
to passenger boat, and was valued at $ I75, 900
Her cargo was principally fruit, aud WIS val
ued at $4,000.
The following is statement OF Cant. Bur-
ton ''We left New York at 515 j. NJ. on
the 29th Of August. The weather was over
cast and rainy. with fresh breeze from the
southeast, At $40 \. NJ, when between the
two lighthouses OF Montauk Point and Watch
Hill, about five miles off the Rhode Island
shore, the propeller, was run into by an uu-
known schooner, striking Us forty feet adaft of
of the stern, or nearly abreast Of the pilot
house. The propeller was Immediately stop
ped and turned around, and We endeavored To
find the vessel, but failed. | seut the mates
and pilot below to ascertain 1.-THE propeller was
making any water. They reported to me not,
and we considered the damages very slight.
We then proceeded on our way to Providence.
After running few moments the engineer re-
ported that the steamer was rapidly filling. |
mmediate y headed her for the nearest shore.
and used every exertion iumy power to save the
passengers and crew. At this time the wind.
was blowing strong gale from the southeast
accompanied by a heavy rain. 1t soon becan!a'
evident that the steamer must go down. Ii
was not longer than hall an hour from the
time she was headed for the shore until she
sunk
''The life boats were lowered and flied at
once with persons anxious to be saved. One
of the boats was swampcd, but was suon s!yhtcd
by the chief engineer, who was in her. He
sculIed her up To the wreck, and she Was again
loaded with success. About fifty persons were
left on the upper deck, which drlttcd with the
gale The storm still continued, aud although
several vessels came within sight, none rccUgul
zed US. We continued in this pcrilous coudi-
ton IN il about I'll ght clock \. NJ. when We
drified on the beach about half milc from the
Watch Hill light. The surf was very high,
and our danger was increased by this time.
Quite large number Of people from the.
Watch Hill Hotel we're on the breach, protfcr
ing aid, but all was Of no use to Us
The roar Of the surf prevented any comuul-
cation, and it was evident to Us that the deck
on which we foated must soon go to pieces. In
few moments the breaking up commenced,
and we were all thrown into the surf By the
kindness of those on shore nearly all were saw.
ed from the pilot house and upper works. |
am unable to say at present how many of the
crew and passengers were lost with the hulk.
purser John Fl. Latham was picked by the
United States revenue steamer Moccasln IN, as
was Anthony, the freight clerk. Steward Nc
Lean. very large, heavy man, whom all sup
posed lost. was saved on mattress by the
steamer Moccasion, as were also Charles ).
Bradley lad of Providence: VIM H. Purdy, Of
New London cook; Chief Engineer King, Of
Providence; First Officer Baker and Quarter
masters Applcby and Palmer, Of Stoniugton.
| Eighteen dead bodies were brough IN by this
| steamer.
The papers and books belonging to the
| AlctlS were lost.
The purser says there were one hundred and
four full tickets sold also two half tickets, aud
there were several small children aud infants
on board. He estimates the full number Of
passengers at one hundred and ten. The crew,
walters &c, make in all one hundred and fifty
| FIVE son lis