Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-09-06
DIs.ssyBR Oys FIFE sotLs.D.


4. L., Knocking hole in her bottom, ana |
he Immediately began to fill. The passen-
,ers were aroused and warned TO secure |
ife-preservcrs. In short time the lower |
'art of the boat, engines, ETC., went down |
bout five miles from shore. A large num-
Der Of the passengers and the crew climbed
upon the upper deck, which parted
rom the hull and floated. The waves roll
I'd high and the rain continued, but the up
per works noated and struck shore Just be-
low the Ocean house at Watch Hill, about
quarter TO o'clock. The captain and a.
gent of the line refused TO go into the life
boats, and were washed ashore on the rem
nants of the pilot house. About $50 per-
sons were on board, AL of whom were
saved.
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
The following is the Statement, of Capt.
Charles l.. Burton: We left New York at
SIS p. M. on the Goth of August. The
weather was overcast and rainy, with
fresh breeze from the south east. At $40
a. M, when between the two lighthouses
of Montauk Point and Watch Hill, about 8
miles off the Rhode Island shore, the pro-
pellcr was run into by an unknown schoon-
err, striking us 40 feet abait of the stem, or
nearly abreast of the pilot house. The pro-
peller was Immediately stopped and turn
ed round, and we endeavored TO find the
vessel, but failed to do So l sent the mates
and pilot below TO ascertain if the propeller
was maKing any water. They reported to
me that she was not, and we considered the
damage very slight. We then proceeded
on our way to Providence. After running
few moments, the engineer reported that
the steamer was rapidly filling. / immed.
lately headed her for the nearest shore, and
used every exeftion in my power to save
the passengers and crew. At This time the
wind was blowing strong gale from the
southeast, accompanied by heavy rain. 1t
soon became evident that the steamer must
go down. 1t was not longer than half an
hour from the time she was headed for
shore until she sunk. The liie-boa were
lowered and filed at once with persons
anxious to be saved, One of tho boats was
swampcd, but was soon righted by the
chief engineer, who was in her. lie sculled
her up to the wreck, and she was again
boarded with success. About so persons
were left on the upper deck, which drifted
with the gale. The storm still continued,
and although several vessels came in sight,
none recognized us. We continued in this
perilous condition until about O'Clock a..
m, when we drilled on the beach about
half Il mile from Watch Hill lighthouse.
The surf was very high and our danger
was increased. BY this time quite a large
number Of people from Watch Hill hotel
were on the beach proflering aid, but all
was of no use TO us. The roar of the surf
prevented any communication, and it was
evident 10 US that the deck on which we
hoated 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 saved 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.
Among those saved were Elmer Mason
formerly of Brattleboro and William Phelps
Of Boston, whose family is now residing a
West Brattleboro.
| MIR. PHELPs's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Phelps says that he was lying on
mattress on the floor of the saloon, the
state-rooms having been all taken. He fe
the shock and imme diately went to The
bow of the boat. While standing there hi
saw schooner approaching at some dis
lance and within eight or ten minutes tn,
collisi on took place. In reply to inquiries
by the captain it was reported that no dam
age had taken place and the vessel steamed
ahead. Twenty minutes later it was re
ported that the Metis was leaking, anC
soon after he saw the people putting oil
lile-preservers. The waves began to wast
over the vessel and he jumped overheard
and after great difficulty got hold of th,
stern of the yawl and got into her. Other
followed him, but when near the beach sh,
capsized and he was washed ashore. Their
was about eight persons in the boat. on
man and woman lost tier hold, and wer
washed away. Several persons caught ant
gripped him, and he lost but regained hi
hold. Mr.. Phelps reached shore abou
half-past eight. His watch stopped at
O'Clock. lie and many others were badl.
injured by the floating timber. When saw
ed he was so far exhausted as TO be unabl
to speak. lie arrived at West Brattlebor
Saturday night, and is now doing well.
STATEMENT OF ELMER MASON.
1t was about half-pist 3 O'Clock in Ill
morning when the Metisstrsck the schoon
er, and when we came in collision tn
steamer stopped for short time. TIL
schooner sank almost Immediately, but
cannot say what became of the crew. TIL
steamer made only a short pause and the
proceeded on her way without any exam
ination being made, so far as l know, as I
what harm had been done to her, or wheth
CIR any injury had been sustained by til
shock. We ran on our course for about a
hour, or perhaps little longer, before tb
alarm was given that the Nets was sink
ing, and orders were given for every one t
secure life preservers or look to the life
boats, or for some other means of safety
Nearly every one was ON deck or in tn
cabin, as the shock received at the time {
the collision had wakened every one and
general fear for safety was prevalent, tn
passengers putting on their clothes and nc
feeling at ease for some time afterwards,
at all. 1t was hardly more than fiftee
minutes after the alarm was given befor
the water swept over the deck and "
knew that she was sinking. We all sougl
some means of escape, those who coul
find them taking life-preseryers, som
seeking refuge in the life-boats, and other
the hurricane deck. For my own part,
secured cork mattress. The confusio
and terror on board was beyond descrip
ton. Such groans Of agony and shrieks
despair, l never heard. 1t seemed but
very short time before the steamer was g
, ing to pieces under our feet, leaving notl
ing but the hurricane deck afioat I'll
| | loMer part OF the steamer seemed 10 crus