The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-01

ance with orders, oil hands were pro-
vlded with life-preseryers. At length
the deck upon which stood the terrified
people parted from the hull, owing,
doubtless. to the great pressure of the
cotton bales. and in few minutes tho
Metis sank to rise no more-leaving the
floating deok, with its huddled crowd,
to the mercy of the waves. The colli-
sion had taken place at exactly twenty
minutes to O'Clock, and about three
quarters OF an hour elapsed from that
time to the complete separation of the
deck from the hull Of the steamer. It is
impossible to give any idea of what en-
sued. Bewildered and shuddering at
the surroundings. many at once jumped
off the floating deck and were drowned.
Women clung to their children, resolved
that they should perish with them.
owing to the darkness, they could not
make out where they were, and the
awful feeling prevailed that the deck was
drifting out to sea. It was, indeed, o
night OF horrors. At length morning
dawned, and tho shore of Watch Hill
was discerned. but the wind had not
abated much, and although by this time
those on deck had made themselves
somewhat secure, fears were entertained
lest the heavy sea then running would
sweep them of. Nearer and nearer the
floating remnant of the vessel ap-
preached the shore, and finally struck
bottom. This was the signal note, and
in half dozen seconds the nearly ex-
hausted and perishing passengers
plunged into the surf, to trust tofate.
The deck soon after went to pieces, and
many seized hold of the debris and were
swept ashore alive. In one instance, q
lady, with her two children-one under
each arm-was carried safely through
the surf. Human beings struggled in
oil directions. Some were struck by
floating timbers, and swept senseless
high upon the beach, Others. unable
any longer to hold out, succumbed, but
were finally washed ashore in q dying
condition.
8 p. M.-But few additional particu
lars have reached this city, o.day, con-
cerning the sinking of the steamer Metis.
off Watch Hill. The stories about the
disaster are very conflicting. The
steamer Narragansett arrived at this CITY
at 9 O'Clock, this morning, bringing seve-
raj passengers and three of the deck
hands of the Metis Some Interesting
details we're obtained from the officers
OF the Narragansett. There is little
doubt. apparently. that so fur as the
collision Ia concerned. the blame lies
with the schooner. The fact that she
struck the steamer fairly amidship,
proves conclusively, in the opinion of
the officers of the Narraganeett, that she
was sailing her wrong course. They be-
lieve that the schooner, after striking
the steamer and burying her bowsprit in
her side. slowed around and widened the
rent, allowing the sea to rush in in great
volume. There appears to be some
doubt whether the schooner Nettie
Gushing, now at New Loudon, is the
boat that did the damage. One of her
Grew, 1t is stated, declares that the
steamer @ith which the Cushing came
into collision was white one, with side
wheels. Some persons believe that the
Metis sank the schooner that struck her.
and that the Gushing was in collision
with another steamer. The first officer
OF the Narragansett believes that the
number OF persons lost does not exceed
forty-tve. He says that innumerable
schooners are cruising around the scene
OF the dioaster. and that many persons
thought to be drowned have been picked
up. he was told that several men and
women had been rescued by small ves-
'oASS SNs VIC o9OoCct tuluS Oh RIl Was In
the saloon of the Narragansett, where
sat young woman, poorly but neatly
dressed, weeping silently. near the spot
where the dead body OF her hus-
band lay. She was asleep when the
collision occurred, but was awakened
suddenly by the shock, and told her
husband to got up and see what was
the matter. He did 80, and soon re-.
turned, saying that the captain had told
him there was no danger. He got into
bed again. but his wife could not sleep.
and was soon again alarmed by the sound
OF many feet running to and fro. A mo-
ment later. the Stewards brave man.
OF whom all spoke well-rushed into the
stste-room and told them to put on life
preservers, as the ship was sinking. This
was terrible shook, but they hastened
to obey tho order. The two children of
the young couple lay asleep-one baby.
SIX weeks old, the other boy of three.
The father took the biggest child in bis
arms; the mother clung to her infant.
and the two struggled to tho deck. The
saloon was knee.deep in water by this
time, and in less than i've minutes
sibly, the poor woman has no very exact
idea OF the lapse OF time-man and wife
were in the water. The waves ran high.
m