New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-06
LOSSES on THE SEA.
A SOUND STEAMER WRECKED.

TIE MASSACHUSETTS, OF THE Providence LINE.
GROUNbtD At ROCKY POINT, Long ISLAND
TWO HUNDRED PASsENGERS RESCUED WITHOUT
'RIoUs INF RY-THE BOAT ING TO PIECES.
GRCENPOgT, l.. l., Oct. j-rie steamer Massachu-
sctts, of the Ncw-lO rk aud Providence Line, which
left NewYork last night, grounded on Rocky Point.
five niles east Of Horizons Point, at midnight TIE
vessel lies broad,de to the shore, heading east The
sea il not breaking her. The surf is rolling up
six to eight feet high. The passengers were landed
by sur-boats and sharpies handled by Captains Pres
ton. of Grsenport, and Clark, of East Marion, The
steamer had five if boats on board hanging the
dayts. not in use. rho of her going ashore
was loss Of reckoning in the storm, Tne opinion If,
that she will 90 to pieces. Much of her cargo,
ssting of bales of cotton, oils m barrels and gen
eral merchandise was thrown overheard TO Tighten
the vessel, and strewn along the beach. The boat
lies about 200 feet from the shore. Seveny-hve
lady passengers were on board, who have DeJavei
brdvely throughout, Tde first passengers
landed by Charles Clark and Daniel Madison, OF
Marion. The ilahermaE of Greenpoint aud East
Marion did good service with their sbarp.es. landing
the passengers. rowing to and from the boat The
fe-boats in use are hanled through the surf by
ropes. hawser with cradle rugged for landing
passengers. also c0lne ted with the top of the
buf but il was not found necessary to use it. 200
Passengers In all were on DOaEu. lnty were ali
safely landed by / O'clock ana most of them re
turned to New-York by tram on the Long Island
Ra lroad. The boat is fast on he rocks and badly
broken. She Is full Of wafer up the main deck.
The Long Island train from Greenport which arrived
Hunters Point about o'clock last evening" Brought
about dfty the passengers fr IN the wrecked
boat Massachusetts most Of whom ladies' Tue
remainder numbering hundred, decided 20 CON
tinue way 10 Boston. All the passengers agree
the staten mt that the officers in conmaud of the
steamer, lost NJ and, Instead u keeping
oven out I'm tue Sound IA rounding Grrenport, they
ran within "A boats length OF the and
Into OF huge rocks, any one Of which would wreck
an iron vessel The night dark, the running
very high, ard the Wind blew gale. Many Of the
passengers would not retire. and sought rest, without
sieep on aud chairs IN the cabins Not light
was 10 along Shore and 1t Is stated that the
steamers lamps could not oe distinguished the fun
length OF the boat.
"Aboit midnight" said f. c. Judd OF Boston. al
awakened by crash when shook the boat from STEM to
stern and felt assured that hal struck something.
AZ first thought we had ran into vessel and hastily
dressed aud rushed into the CABIN Everything
state fusion, aud the passengers poured forth from
the and berhs many o them half dressed.
and the greatest excitement prevailed. Tie ladies and
children at first particularly nervous out rs
soou As the condition OF affairs made known, they
beha we'd heIOcay and e1h btcd more nerve AMI calm
ness than the majority II tie m'n. Upon reaching the
docks We learned that the Massachusetts bad struck
r.e rocK anshp and fast, beyond all hopes Of re
nova Captain JOues while evidently feeling tne loss OF
his splendid steamer alayed all fears and calned the
excitement by assuring that the Massachusetts could
staud fran for week, without NJ down. TIE ram
pouring aud few Of tile Passengers had dr>
garments on In this terrible state OF excitement aud
uncertauy watched Tor six weary hours for day 10
break, officers being unable 10 tell where We were
Had boat been launched at this time. would have
been as likely get of the wrong side and have dried
cut m the Sound beyond the reach Of all. Abont
o'clock IL was discovered that had struck rock. not
more than 600 feet from the shore near Green
poit boat was launched IN charge OF one
OF the Oiicers who seemed more ANXIOUS 10
obtain telegragnlc COMMUNICATION thdb 10 iahu the
pisseugerS. Inc sea WAS running very nlSu ana '"c
waves were asLed into loan, when the shore
tue boat nd Ihe officers lost their heads ana al
Wis confusion Instead iunning out rope and max
unrp,re occupying nearly two hours. Tue landing Of
passengers beyan, The ladies' aud children oehg
II 81 provided for lhe citZ'ns o! nlee,pot tuIhe1
ont and by the Of their natDOtI0med
boats rendered valuable AID III fesculhg Tie
tn.srngers, and when anded the houses were thrown
oueu t,r ia, ir accommodation, ana dry clothing aud
warm meals were ire " furnished. was among the
Al Of the pHssengcrr TO leave the steamer, and cOssc1
10 the shOr, in company with tie crew, du noOe
service AZ tue last person had iet the steamer
~, that twelve elapsed thu time of tue acci-
dent beiore complete landing Wac elected without an
accident any character Ho" tue oi' "ho IL sald 10
be a OF arge experience, TOOK tue steamer ins'
this trap is than The lassengef- could confehehd
lie passed why inside the buoy =, aud made narrow
eseapo OF the other rooks, ana must nave been iuy
mile out OF his regular course HE whistle Was SOUNDED
nearly all nIght, ana, apparently every precanon was
talen and the Iaot Is that without knowing preclsey
vherr tey WERE the officers imagined they were moving
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