Connecticut western news., 1872-09-13
The Metis Disaster.

The Metis. steamer of the PrOvi- | dence and New York steamship com pany, on her way from New York to Providence, collided off Point Judith with 8 schooner, while the hurricane blowing at the time prevented all mutual recognition. The Metis proceeded on her way, but had not gone far before the engineer reported that she was filling fast. She was immediately headed for the shore, six miles distant, but her fires were extinguished long before she could reach it. Soon after the vessel parted. the lower portion sinking, while the up- per deck foated. In few moments that, too, went to pieces, and broken fragments of the wreck were all that re- mained of the steamer.
 A scene of terrible confusion followed the engineers first report According to one gentleman's account the stronger and more cowardly seized Upon three Or four life-preservers each, upon mattress ses and chairs, and every article that could be obtained, leaving helpless wo-
 men to shriek and faint unuoticed.
 rush was made for the hurricane deck,
 amid the driving rain and wind, and
 when even that last resort was reached
 many were washed overheard by the
 surf. which ran enormously high. As
 morning dawned and the people on
 shore caught sight of the survivors float
 ing here and there on pieces of tue
 wreck, every assistance was offered, but
 as no boat could live in the fearful sea
 little was available.
 THE STORY OF THE CAPTAIN.
 The following is the statement of the
 captain of the Metis, Charles l.. Burton,
 of Bristol
 We left New York at ten minutes past
 five P. M., on the 18th of August. The
 weather was overcast and rainy, with 8
 fresh breeze from the southeast. At
 twenty minutes to four, A. M., when be-
 tween the two Lighthouses of Montluk
 Point and Watch GiIl, about five miles
 off the Rhode Island shore, the propeller was run into by an unknown schooner,
 striking us forty feet abaft of the stem, , or nearly abreast of the pilot house. The propeller was immediately stopped
 and turned round. and we endeavored to find the vessel but failed to do so. sent the mates and pilot below to ascer- tain if the propeller was making any l 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 filing. I immedi- ately headed her for the nearest shore, and used every exertion in my power to 5 save the passengers and crew. At this } time the wind was blowing strong gale l from the southeast, accompanied by 3 heavy rain. It soon became evident 3 that the steamer must go down. It was , not longer than half an hour from the ' time she was headed for the shore unti I she sank. The ife-boats were lowered e and filled at once with persons anxious s to be saved. One of the boats wa U swamped, but was soon righted by the chief engineer, who was in her. H. s sculled her up to the wreck and she wa E. again boarded with success. Abou, fit, t persons were left on the upper deck d which drifted with the gale. The storn }, still continued, and although severa V vess Is came within sight none recogniz ed us. We continued in this perilou n condition until about eight o'clock A |, M., when we drifted on the beach abou e half mile from the Watch Hill light D house. The surf was very high and ou
 danger was increased. By thls tim d quite large number of people from til o Watch Hill Hotel were on the beach pro 1t fering aid, but all of no use to us. Tn ,r roar of the surf prevented any communi It cation, and it was evident to us, that tn le deck on which we foated, must soon q 10 to pieces. In a few moments the break 'e ing up commenced, aud we were a s thrown into the surf. By the kindnes a of those on shore nearly all were save d from the pilot house and upper work Il I am unable to say at present how man
 of the crew and passengers were los
 with the hulk.