The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-05
LOST AT SEA.
THE STEAMER NETS SUNK BY COLLISION
WITH SAILING VESSEL.


steamer Metis, from New York for Prov
idence, collided with a sailing vessel,
about o'clock this morning, off Watch
Hill, and sunk. Several lives were lost.
The Gutter Moccasin is at the scene of the
disaster.
NEW YORK, Aug. 30.-A private dis
patch from Providence states that the
steamer Metis, after collision drifted
ashore at Watch Hill, with only one of
her upper decks above water. Another
dispatch says that about 70 OUT OF $50
persons were saved. The reports of the
disaster created considerable excitement
in this city. The Metis was 1,150 tons
burden, and belonged to the Providence
and New York Line.
New YORK, Aug. 30.-The steamer
Metis was commanded by Captain Chas.
L. Burton.
THE DISASTER.
WATCH HILL, r. l., wa SToNINGToN,
Conn, Aug. 3O.-The propeller Metis,
Captain Burton, was wrecked six miles off
this shore this morning. A dreadful
storm prevailed in the latter part of the
night. About 4 o'clock the propeller was
struck by schooner, knocking hole in
Aer bottom. She Immediately filed. The
passengers were aroused and warned to
secure life. preservers. In short time
the lower part of the boat, her engines,
etc., went down about five miles from
shore. A large number of passengers and
crew climbed on the upper deck, which
parted from her head and fioated. The
waves rolled high and the rain continued,
but the upper works foatcd and struck
the shore just below the Ocean House,
about s this morning. The Metis had on
board l04 passengers and do deck-hands,
walters, etc. Captain Burton and George
3. Hull, the agent of the line, are among
the saved. At this hour I'll o'clock in
the forenoon) it is thought that about
half of the passengers are saved. The
greatest excitement prevails among the
guests of the hotels,and they are doing all
they can to aid the sufferers.
STATEMENT OF THE CAPTAIN.
SToNINGToN, Conn, Aug. 3O.-The fol-
lowing is the statement of Captain Chas.
L. Burton, of the Steamer Metis, as given
to j. Wesley Smith, of the Albany Argus.
eve left New York at :15 p. m. on the
Goth of August. The weather was over
cast and rainy, with fresh breeze from
the southeast. At $40 a. ~, when be-
tween the two lighthouses, Montauk
Point and Watch Hill, about five miles off
shore, the propeller was run into by an
unknown schooner, striking us forty feet
abatt OF the stem, or nearly abreast of the
pilot house. The propeller was immedi-
ately stopped and turned round, and we
endeavored to find the vessel, but failed
to do so. [ sent the mates and pilot be
low 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 filing. imme-
diately headed her for the nearest shore,
and used every cxertion in my power to
save the passengers and crew. At this
time the wind was blowing a 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 the shore until she sunk. The
life boats were lowered and filled at once
with persons anxious to be saved. One of
the boats was swamped but was soon
righted by the Chief Engineer, who was
on her. He sculled her up to the wreck
and she was again boarded with success.
About fifty persons were left en- the upper
deck which drifted with the, gale. The
storm still continued and although sever
al vessels came within sight, none recog-
nized us. We continued in this perilous
condition until about s o'clock a. m.
when we drifted on the beach about half
q mile from Watch ELL Lighthouse. The
surf vaa vnrv h;rh owl o,r 1on0or WAS L