The New York herald., 1872-08-31
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presented this morning by the floating deck, the
indescribable terror Of its occupants, and the
anxiety OF those on shore who fxin would help
them, the ever-promnent idea that at least fifty
human beings had gone down with the wreck,
crushed and drowned, tended to cast gloom over
the locality that many long day will not remove
STATEMENTS OF SOME OF THE SURVIVORS.
1t Is as yet premature to go into the actual de-
tails Of the collision, but append q few state
ments which will doubtless prove interesting in
connection with catastrophe which win ever have
notable place in the record OF sea dsastors:-
WILLIAM PHELPS STATEMENT.
Mr.. William Phelps, of Boston, one of the passen-
gers, in speaking to me about the af1lir, stated
that he was lying on the mattress on the ioor of
the saloon, the staterooms having been all taken.
He says he felt the shock and Immediately went
TO the bow Of the boat. While standing
there he saw schooner approaching at
some distance and within eight or ten
minutes the collision took place. In reply
to inquiries by the captain 1t was reported that no
damage had taken place and the vessel steamed
ahead. Twenty minutes later it was reported that
the Mets was leaking and soon alter he saw
people putting on life preservers. The waves
began to wash over the vessel, and he
jumped overheard, and after great difficulty
got hold OF the stern Of the yaw and got into
beach she capsized and he was washed ashore.
There were about eight persons In the boat. One
man and woman lost their mold and were washed
away. Several persons caught, gripped him, and
he lost but regained his hold
Mr. Phelps reached the shore about halfpast
eight o'clock His watch stopped at five O'Clock
He and many Others were badly injured by the
floating timber.
CHARLES STONES STATEMENT.
Mr. Charles Stone, of New York, had just
left the city for his vacation. He had
stateroom on the starboard side Of
the Metis. Although he felt the shock
he did not apprehend any danger, but he got up
and dressed himself and says he went out into the
saloon. Mr.. Stone did not at fist notice any con.
fusion. Some one asked deck hand whether
there was anything wrong, and he replied
in the negative. The first intimaton
he Qdr. stone) had OF any danger was deck hand
rushing up stairs taking with him number of llfe-
preservers. He then saw that every one on board
was provided with one. From the time the vessel
was struck till the hull parted from the hurri-
cane deck was about threequarters of an hour.
He was one Of the persons on the floating deck, on
which he remained three or four hours. When ap-
preaching the surf the captain called all hands for
ward in order to regulate their plunge for the
beach. Mr.. Stone says that the captain was very
cool throughout and did everything he could to
save the passengers
MIR. CYRUS BUTLER's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Cyrus Butler OF Providence, and Mr.. Alfred
Schroeder, of New York, and others, give corrobo-
ratve statements about the time Of the collision
and the scenes surrounding the wreck. His watch
stopped at thirteen minutes past FIVE.
CAPTAIN BuRToN's POSITION.
Captain Burton, who has been unspar-
ing in his efforts to render assistance,
and who manfully stood by his post
during the terrible crisis, was in
the vicinity Of the wreck all day. Though naturally
anxious and excited he expresses himself quite
confident that Of the awful responsibility rests
upon his shoulders. In the course OF conversation
to-day he gave his version OF the affair to the
effect that when about four miles to
the southward OF Watch Hill light he sighted q
schooner a snort distance ahead, on the port bow
about pafpast three O'Clock. He sheered or to
clear her. The schooner was standing to wind
ward, and as she got close she luf1ed up and
struck the Metis forty feet abatt the
stem, on the port side, near the pilot
house. He Captain Burton) inquired II the Metis
was making any water, and the engineer said she
was not. All this time the Captain remained In the
pilot house. Finding from the report that
the vessel was all right he proceeded on
his course, and had run about ten or ff
teen minutes when it was reported she was
making water fast. He then headed her for the
beach, being then to the southeast Of Watch Hill
light, but she went down in about twenty five
minutes after. The hull parted from the hurricane
deck owing the bales of cotton forcing the lat
ter up, and many lives were saved In consequence.
He hoisted the signal OF distress. The water put
out the fires and the vessel was helpless.
The captain maintains that he was keeping his
right course throughout.
RUN INTO by THE METIs.
After Viewing the scene Of wreck proceeded to
New London, were met the captain Of the schooner
Nettie Gushing, Of and from Thomaston, Me-. for
New York. with lime, who stated that he was run into
this morning by the propeller Metis of the Provi.
dence and New York Line, and lost bowsprit, head.
gear, knghthead and all forward gear He sang out
to the captain of the steamer to stand by' him,
he thought he was sinking, but the steamer went
on her course. After clearing the wreck he made
for New London but could not make 1t and came to
anchor of Goshen Reef, west Of New London
light At the time of the collision it was blowing
gale from the southeast and was thick and rainy.
He was steering west by south through the race,
with Little Gull Island five miles distant bearing
west by south. The schooner was towed into New
London this morning.
STATEMENT OF THE PURsER OF THE NETS.
The 'purser of the Mets, John A. Latham, makes
the following statement:-I was in my room at the
time OF the collision. Invoke up shortly before and
found 1t was very rough. We were then near Race
Point. / was hardly awake when the shock
occurred l jumped out OF bed and
showed up the window. My room was
on the starboard side. AS looked out Of the win
dow the schooner that struck US passed. She was
standing or shore. We were struck on the port
bow, about fifty feet from the stem. The jibboom
went infO the room Occunipd nv One of tho
oilers He was asleep at the time. It
awoke him up. The iron that secured
the jbboom to the bowsprit dropped
down upon him. AS soon as l felt the shock
jumped out and went forward stopped at the
engineers room and inquired II there was any
water in the fire room He said, mo" went to
the place where the vessel was struck, as the