National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-06-14


ment forgotten. 1t is supposed that both
babes were burned before any assistance could
be obtained, and tho poor mother when she
realized her loss was IN paroxysm Of grief
BOAT load REACHES THE sToNlNGToN.
j. II. Wilcox, adjusting agent Of the New
York life insurance company, and present
resident of Chicago, gives the following story
of his remarkable escape from the wreck of
the Narrsgansett: Mr.. Wilcox has had the
misfortune TO lose leg, and when awakened
by the collision instantly feared he should be
pennod in his stateroOm by the fastening on
the door " he did not quickly get out. So,
without dressing and making but one futile
grab for bis porkct.book containing $500
which he had left under his pillow, he made
his way out into the aisle with his coat and
trousers in his bands. BY this time the boat
had taken FIRE from tho blazing ges and there
was scene of the utmost terror and confus.
ion. A woman flung herself upon him scream
ing, Save me and my chid;' but OF
course Mr.. Wilcox could do nothing In his
helpless condition. lie mauaged to dress
himself aud struggle ON deck, whore was q
scene of equally mad confusion, disorder and
frantic fear. A dense fog prevailed, so that
nothing could be seen OH the water, and only
tho whistle and bell of the Stoniugton gave
token of her presence not far of. There was q
cry for liie-boats and ono was cut loose from
amidships from near where Wilcox was
standing. He threw himself over the side, and
fortunately struck safely within IT, Othors fol-
lowed him, including IA woman, who buried
him beneath her weight. Some one cut
loose or united the rope and the boat was
pushed Off from tho burning steamer TO avoid
being swamped by the passengers, who were
swimming in the water, supported by life pre-
servers or pieces of furniture and filling the air
with cries for help. The boat was pulled out
and within short time the Narragansctt sunk
ok, 10 In,. Al 4 l.
the wator Tho loat remained out for what
Mr.. Wilcox judged to be about three hours,
whom feeling the approach OF coming storm
of wind aud rain, he urged them TO pull for
the sound Of the steamer which was still blow
ing her whistle, MS the only hope TO escape
being upset. they did so and arrived safely on
board the Stoniugton. The boats load in
Guiding Mr.. Wilcox, numbered thirteen, none
of whose names he learned, but three OF whom
he thinks were of the crew of the NarHgan-
soft.
A GRANDMoTHER's DEVOTION.
An old lady, Margaret Muir of Brooklyn
about sixty years of age, was picked up while
floating in the water holding high above her
her infant grnndchild fifteen months old.
STATEMENT OF PASSENGER.
BosToN June 12-According to the story of
Cornelius Henry Of this city, there must have
been great many lives lost. He says of the
in which lie took passage from New York
left that city there were between 300 and
400 passengers on board; that at that time all
the berths and statc.rOoms were engaged. 1t
was very fOggy Most of the passengers had
retired. l think that, with the exception of
the officers, was the only one on tAe Nara
gansctt that was up and saw the Stonngton
when she struck us. We were running ut
pretty fair ratio of speed at tho time, us was
also the Stonimgton. She struck us amidships
on the starboard side and rRlsed us clear to The
wheel.
The force of the collision caused tho Nara
gansett TO lurch heavily to the port, and in less
than five minutes she went down rs far as tie
main deck and grounded. Shortly after that
l saw n sheet Of flame shoot out of the engine
room, and in less time than l can describe it
tho entire ship was on fire. The moment |
saw what had happened rushed for the hur.
rcaue deck and tried to cast loose life
raft which was there but was unsuccessful.
l then slid down post to the saloon deck
and tried to cast loose another lite-raft,
but was again unsuccessful. by this time
the fire had gained such leadway that
l hardly knew what Co do. | saw life
raft floating in the water short dstace from
the steamer, and as II was my last chance ]
Jumped overheard and commenced to paddle
for it. When Il short distance from the raft |
became pretty well exhausted, and had it not
been for line which had been left towing be-
hind l would most assuredly have been
drowned. Mr.. Henry gives much credit TO the
officers of the Stonigton aud Narragansett for
their efforts, and adds word Of testimony in
favor of he Narragansetts passengers, who
were, he says, remarkably cool under the try
ing circumstances.
EXCITEMENT IN BOSTON.
BosTON, June 12.-Intense excitement cx-
lists here rs the news Of tho disaster on the
sound becomes generally known. The Boston
and Providence depot at which station pas
sengers coming east on the Stonington line
would land, has been crowded during the
morning by persons anxious 10 hear of the fate
of friends who arc known to have taken pas.
sage last night. Two trains arrived this morn.
ing with icw of the Narragansett's passen-
gers.
SOME OF THE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED.
New LONDON, CONN, Juno 1870 the
twelve bodies which have been recovered from
the wreck of the steamer Narragausott, the
following have been identified: L. J. Horton,
jewelry drummer, of Attcboro', Mass; Will
lam Noyes, of New York; Alfred A. Reed, of
East Greenwich Il. IT, Mrs. William Stevens,
of Boston Highlands, and Mrs. j. X. Little,
residence unknown. William Noycs is u
brother of Benjamin f. Noycs, of New Haven,
who was recently imprisoned in New jersey
for violation OF the insurance laws of this
state.
LOCATION OF THE DISASTER.
The Narlagansett was boarded by the Rssist.
ant inspector of light boats during Sunday
morning. Ho renders the following report Of
her geographical location: Southwest, ono
half west OF buoy on west end OF Sands shoals.
Ii orton's point bears southwest, oue-half west
fir ON her. Duck Island bears north one
quarter west. The cornield light vessel bears
east ono.half north three and one'quarter
miles. She lies in seven tathoms of water.
1t is the opinion of mariners that the Nara
gunsett is broken in twain. She is grounded
ON the western extremity of the shoals, But
for her grounding there she would have sunk
out of sight. During tho night the steamer
Relief, Of the coast wrecling company arrived
at the scene of the disaster.
wRECKING.YEssELs ALONGSIDE.
The wrecliing schooner Report still lays
alongside. Tho master of the latter inspected
the wreck in diving Urmor this morning. A
part of the port wheel-houso Of the Narragan-
sett was picked up early this morning in the
race. In the opinion Of seaiuring mon the
officers of the Stonngton cannot bo blamed
for the accident The courses of the colliding
steamers lay together but had the Stoning-
ton sounded two successive whistles instead
Of one in reply to the signals Of the Nara
gansott, the accident would not in all proba,
hility have occurred. No bodies have been re.
covered to-day A tug arrived at this port
bearing quantity Of wooden material, some
Of il quite valuable
II NIL ,.F