The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-08
LOST IN SIGHT OF THE SHORE
Foundering of United States Steamer
Manhattan in Long Island Sound.
The Vessel Goes to Sea in the Midst of Flu
riOus Gale and Sinks at 0nce-Twenty-
Five Persons, All on Board, Lost.
Special to the indianapolis journal.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Nov. THE United
States steamer Manhattan, Lieutenant-com-
mander Tozier in command, foundered and went
to the bottom off southwest ledge, two miles out
side of this harbor, at half past 8 o'clock this
morning At the time the vessel sunk there was
very heavy on, with fierce gale blowing.
The Manhattan came into this harbor some time
during last night and anchored in the channel
off the yacht clubs house. Custom house Off
Gals seem to know bur very little about the yes
sells mission in these waters, but think that
she was on special duty OF some character, and
mention the setting of buoys examination of
lighthouses or looking after coasting and trad
ing vessels, to see that their papers were cor
rectly made out, and that they were engaged In
the trade sanctioned by their official papers.
This morning, about 6 o'clock, three of the
officers of the vessel came ashore in small
boat, and landed at Long wharf They were Oh
shore about one hour, and after getting the
morning papers went aboard the steamer. I'm
mediately after this the Manhattan got under
way and headed down the harbor
William Kane an oysterman at Oyster Point
says tonight that he noticed the vessel pass out
of the harbor and set course toward the south
west, and that she pitched heavily in the sea.
She shipped two or three seas, and apparently
struggled very much in the sea. She then turned
half around toward the eastward. and Kane
says her condition grew more labored. He ran
to notify the tug Office in this city, by
telephone, to send assistance, and was gone
but ten minutes He was unable to raise the
city, however, and when he retained the vessel
was still struggling against both wind and tide
To all appearances the vessel could not be con-
troled by it's wheel Kane says he then ran
about forty feet across warehouse floor to call
his employer, and that when he returned, after
an absence of not over two minutes, the Manhat-
tan had disappeared from view. Not vestage
of her was to be seen, either to the naked eye or
with the aid of glasses.
Kanes story is corroborated by James
Smith, the proprietor of hotel
at South End, on the eastern shore. seven or
eight miles from the point where Kane saw the
vessel sink. Mr.. Smith says that when he first
saw her the Manhattan was on her side, shipping
sea after sea, and finally careened over and went
down in very few minutes from the time he
first noticed the vessel
Two or three other persons on the eastern
shore, all at different points of observation. tell
stories of the disaster that fully bear out those
told by Smith and Kane.
The tug Alert. of this port went down the
harbor about IL o'clock this morning, but on
account of the extremely heavy sea and wind,
could not go outside. She saw nothing in the
way of wreckage however. When the Manhat-
tan sunk the tide was setting full out into the
sound and whatever wreckage there may have
been would go directly out to sea. Late this
afternoon quantities of biscuit and what looked
like cabin timbers came ashore near Lighthouse
Point.
The Manhattan was steam propeller of the
third class, in the revenue marine service 10
tons. carrying one gun. The shores are being
patrolled tonight in search for bodies, but none
have been discovered yet.
The other officers of the cutter were Second
Lieut.. W. S. Holland exactive officer; Third
Lieut.. j. G. Harris Engineer James Ogdin, and
Assistant Engineer Willis Pedrick.