Year: 1872




train was an hour and half behind time and on
It's arrival he took possession OF the only Of the
passengers Of the Inflated Mctis who had come on
to New York. The following is his narrative
My name is G. G. Guild. am a hardware mcr-
chant, doing business at SO Reade street, in this
city. Icmbarkcd aboard the Mets at fifteen minutes
past five p. NJ. on Thursday, ana we passed down
the East River en- route for Providence Captain Bur-
ton was in command OF the steamer, and though
o heavy sea was rolling in the Sound and the YES
sci labOred somewhat, all went well until
fOrty-1ve minutes past three A. NJ. 1t was
then very dark and the rain pouring
down in torrents. Suddenly very severe shock
startled all slumberers from peaceful reposc-a
schooner, name unknown, struck the steamer at
the forward gangway, carrying away her rail
stanChons and outside planKing and plOughing
deep into her hull. For some few moments but


little fear for the safety of the Metis existed IN the
minds of those aboard but many of


TIE PASSENGERS GOT UP,


dressed themselves and went upon deck to ascer-
tain the amount OF damage done. 1 was one OF
these. When l gained the deck gazed around
but could see nothing on account OF the intense
darkness that prevailed. met the first officer
who was consulting with his colleagues In tho
cabin, and asked him to tell me whether the vessel
was in any danger. lie evaded the question, EVIL
" u
panic among the passengers. then went back to
my stateroom and laid down with my clothes on
for about twenty minutes, when one OF the officers
came along the saloon and called out to every one
to put on.


TIE LIFE PREsERvERs


hanging In their berths. jumped up Immediately
obeyed his instructions, went outside and found
that the boat had already sunk to her main deck.
The passengers, which shoulc Judge numbered
104-incuding about forty ladies and Children
together with crow OF about fifty, were rushing
about in most frantic state of terror and demor-
alization. Many of the ladies' were merely attlred
in their night gowns or chemsettes and they were
in fearfully terrified state, some calling upon
Jesus In His great mercy to save them, others on
their knees


IMpLoRING sUCCoR,


from whence they knew not. The scene was
most appalling one, and will for ever live in the
minds of those who nave been spared. Soon we
were all ordered up to the hurricane deck for the
water had risen to the state-roOm flooring. went
up with the rest or my fellow passengers. only
saw three boats, though there may have been four
In the excitement as every one was rushing for a
place In her, one boat was swamped in lowering
but believe she was subsequently righted. The
deck l00sened from the hull about ten minutes
after we were ordered upon 1t andit shortly broke
away, and the vessel sank We were then, men and
women indiscrminately,


ALL uuDDLED TOGETHER
in confused mass clinging to the sKylights for
dear life as the broke over the raft with viru
lent fury. tremendous quantity of debris was
floating around, for, In add'tion.to the spars and
cmbers and planking, the Metis had large deck
cargo aboard The men stuck nobly by the women
and children, binding them with ropes to the sky
lights and providing for their safety in every posi-
BILE way There did not seem to be any contention
for position, though each one took up that he
deemed the best. Some were crying, shrieklng,
some praying aloud q few


CALM AND sELF-POSsEssED.


The rain still beat upon US with binding fury
and deemed 1t probable that the whole deck
would soon go to pieces, for the rolling surges that
broke around 1t threatened us every instant with
destruction. Thinking It probable that this would
be the case-knowing myself to be good swim
mer, and fearing that In the decentralization which
would ensue should only be useessly sacrificing
my last chance OF life by being dragged down by
others-T sprang overheard and chung to the lash
ing at the end OF pressed cotton bale. had much
difficulty In inserting my fingers beneath the tight
strained cords; but succeeded, and hung on with
all


THE TENACrTY OF DESPAIR.


An old gentleman was at the other end OF the
bale. The water was covered with floating debris
and as each heavy roller came bursting up we had
the greatest dflculty in avoiding being crushed by
spars pianks or ponderous cases. said but little
to my comrade in msfortune he must have been
fine old fellow though, for he called to me in
cheering tones ''Cling to itn In about half an
hour however, his strength gave out for the water
was terribly cold, his hands relaxed their grasp
and he sunk beneath the surges l could tell when
he slipped on, for the bale tipped up towards me,
but 1t was impossible for me to render him any assist
ance held on to the fc-preserving bale for more
than an hour longer, drifting along to windward
of the raft In the first faint nush OF dawn which
then began to glimmer In the eastern sky could
see the dozens Of poor creatures hudded together
on the oating deck and hear above the roar Of the
wind their


PITEoUs CRIES FOR HELP
and salvation. Numbcd by the cold, felt should
have to succumb. but the brave fellows aboard the
raft threw me rope and hauled me safe aboard
The beach was then in sight, the beach near Watch
Hill, upon which The white waves were curling
foamng and laundering. The tide was driving us
rapidly towards 1t and we knew the crisis was at
hand. hope 1t will never again be my misfortune
to witness the spectacle presented aboard that
floating wreck. Fragile women, in a state Of


ALMOST ENTIRE NUDITY,
and children paralyzed with fear, were hudded TO-
gether, numbed with cold, terrified and exhausted.
A prominent Seventh ward politician and his wife |
were among the number; the lady wore little else |
besides life preserver; both OF them were saved,
however.


Near towards the glstenine strand the tide drove
u.s. until at last the surf caught US up on It's foam
Ing crest fully sixty feet high and sent us rushing
In, some few to salvation, many TO death. The
beach was lined with people waiting to leno us aid
as soon as the raft struck They had lifeboats but
being launched.


When the rsft nrst struck the shore the surf