Year: 1872




ton Me-, for New York, arrived at New
London yesterday morning and stated that
he was run into by the propeller Metis OF
Providence and New York line and lost
his bowsprit, head gear, knight head and
ali the forward gear. He sang out to the
CAPTAIN of the steamer to stand by him, as
he thought he was sinking but the steamer
went on her course. After clearing the
wreck he made for New London, but could
not make it and came to anchor of
Goshen Reef, west of the New London
light house.


AT the time of the collision it was blow
ing gale from the southeast, and was
thick and raining. He was steering west
bv south through the race, with Little
Hill Island five miles Distant bearing
west by south. nv


The following is another account 10
wards midnight it blew nearly gale,
while pitch darkness prevailed. Inc
messengers had long since retired TO rest
and with the exception that the vessel was
rolling somewhat, owing TO totherougnhess OF
the sea, nothing occurred to mar the pro-
gress of the craft. Shortly after three
O'clock schooner hove in sight about four
miles west southwest of Watch Hill light,
and not more than five miles from shore.
1t was at that time raining hard, and as 1t
appears, the weather was somewhat thick.
Suddenly, and without word, without
sound of warning. the schooner, heavily
laden with lime, ran into the steamer
abaft the stern on the port side and squar-
ed away on her course. A deep, dull thud
was felt all over the steamer men and
women were aroused from their slumber,
and some less frightened then the rest,
rushed on deck, half dressed, and made
for the pilot house, TO learn the cause OF
what seemed to be a collision.


The Captain had already made inquiries
from the engineers, and cheering news of
all right allayed the alarm of the terror
struck crowd. Some returned to their
berths, but others not satisfied with the an
nouncement, or perhaps uneasy as to the
results remained on the herricane deck fif-
teen minutes later, and the death knell
went ringing through the vessel that the
Metis was leaking, and the news spread
like wild fire. The state room doors were
thrown open and the passengers scrambled
to the upper deck to be farthest from wa
ter. 1t was a fearful scene. The deck
hands rushed UP and down, warning pas
sengers to look to their life preservers, for
the Metis was going down, and there were
some whom even, the first shock had not
awakened, but who, now that the shrielS-.
ing and hammering had began, quickly
jumped forth to the horrible realization of
their peril. Down gradually deeper went
the vessel, until her bulwarks were under
water, and waves came sweeping over the
deck Nearly every soul on board had
tried to reach the upper deck. Some sue
ceeded some failed and were lost; others
plunged into the sea and were washed far
away.


A rush was made for boats Which were
promptly lowered and amid the widest
shrieks the terrified passengers made des-
perate exertions to crowd into them. The
Metis had now sunk below her guards and
several persons had just run up from their
berths only to meet the terrible fate. The
main deck was packed with huge bales of
cotton and as they began to float about
many of the passengers got hemmed in
and were either drowned or crushed to
death. But the scenes above mentioned
were truly appalling. Death stared every
one in the face. OF the entire number of
souls only some fifty-three remained on
the hurricane deck Others had disappear
ed in the darkness. Meanwhile Captain
Barton and the officers of the vessel were
behaving with commendable GOODNESS and
in compliance with orders, all hands were
provided with life preservers. At length
the deck upon which stood the terrified
people parted from the hull, owing doubt
less, to the great pressure of the cotton
bales, and in a few minutes the Metis sank
to rise no more, leaving the floating deck
with its huddled crowd to the mercy of the
waves.


The collision had taken place at exactly
twenty minuts to four o'clock and about
three-quarters of an hour elapsed from that
time to the complete separation of the deck
from the hull of the steamer.


1t is impossible to give any idea of what
ensued. Bewildered and shuddering at
the surroundings, many at once Jumped
OIL the footing deck and were drowned.
Women clung to their children, resolved
that they should perish with them. Owing
to the darkness they could not make ont
where they were and as the awful feeling
prevailed that the deck was drifting out to
sea, it was, indeed, night of horror. At
length morning dawned and the shore of
Watch Hill was discovered, but the wind
had not abated much, and although by
this time those on deck hadmade them
selves somewhat secure, fears were enter
tanned lest the heavy sea then running
would sweep them off. Nearer and nearer
the floating remnent of the vessel approach
ed the shore and finally struck bottom.
This was a signal note and in a half dozen
seconds the nearly exhausted and perished
passengers jumped into The surf to
trust to fate. The deck soon after went
to pieces and many seized hold OF the de-
bris and were swept ashore alive, In one
pstance lady with her two children, one
u-dereach arm, was carried safely through
tn surf. Human beings struggled in all
dirctions. Some were struck by the float
ing imber and swept senseless high upon
the bach. Others unable any longer to


mold )ut succumbed, but finally washed


asnorin dying condition.


NENYoRK, Aug. 31.-Dr. Chas. w. Sell


don wa arrested on charge of producing


abortion


Additional details of the Metis disaster


confirm lst nights details. No Southern


ed.


PROVIDENCE, Aug. 3O.lThe schooner A.


d. Beldenbrought into Newport this al


ternoon tn. bodies of a man and woman,


Judith, whtwere evidently passengers by


'ne Metis. he bodies were borne up by