Steamboat Disaster

Steamboat Disaster - The elegant new steamboat Oswego, on her second trip. was driven ashore near Oswego, on Lake Ontario, during a severe gale on the 12th inst. The following is an extract from the Rev. W.F. Cary, who was a passenger on board:

Soon after we left Rochester, the wind rose, and we had been out only a few minutes before the boat began to roll in the trough of the sea, with the wind upon her side; after some difficulty, she was got before the wind, and continued to run well for a short time, and we hoped soon to reach Oswego. During all this time the gale was increasing; soon she lurched, and lay rolling in the sea without obeying the rudder at all. The after bulwarks were knocked away and nailed on her bows, where some blankets had previously been fastened, for the purpose of bring her before the wind, but all to no purpose.

The we continued from about 2 o’clock P.M., until 12 at night. We found her drifting ashore, and let go both anchors with chain cables, when she was brought up with a tremendous crash; but she still moved gradually toward the shore. Once she struck heavily, but did not spring a leak so as to alarm us with the fear of sinking.

The gale meantime increased, and the waves dashed by in fury. All the passengers were called on deck to be ready for the worst. Then was a solemn moment! The clamor of the captain and hands, which during their efforts had been loud and hurried, was now hushed, for they could do no more. The night was intensely dark. No one could tell where we were, or the nature of the coast.

A length the shore was plain in sight - presently the boat struck! A few swells lifted her higher on the beach, and on examining with a lantern, we found to our great joy that we were within ten or twelve feet on high water mark! A seaman speedily went on shore, and succeeded in fastening a line; others now went to his assistance; a fire was kindled on the beach, which showed us more minutely the situation we were in. The boat lay on a gravelly shore, in such a situation as to convince us that the danger of losing life was over.

A long plank and pole were found among the drift-wood on shore, and laid against the boat’s side; two short ladders were made fast to the plank, and the women went on shore, then the men; and were glad to huddle together around the fire, and sit or lie in heaps on the stones, thanking God for his deliverance - for no life I believe was lost! We suffered some with the cold; but with the hop of blankets and mattresses, were made more comfortable than we expected.

In the morning we learned that we were about four miles from Oswego. Mr. Kempshall, myself and several others, set out on foot through the woods to find a house. After walking about a mile, we found inhabitants, and hired a wagon to carry us to Oswego before breakfast. A few lengths further east, and we must, to all human appearance, have perished. As the lake for a mile out is filled with breakers, if the wind had not increased and blown a hurricane at the time we first struck, the bat would probably have bilged on a rock.

The following card has been published by the passengers:

Steamboat Oswego. - This new and beautiful boat is stranded about four miles above Oswego village. We, the undersigned passengers, deem it an act of duty towards Capt. R.B. Macy, the master of the boat, to say that no mismanagement or blame can be attributed to him.

The weather was extremely boisterous, and during a gale, seldom witnessed on Lake Ontario, of 16 hours without intermission, Capt. Macy evinced a coolness, energy and attention to his numerous passengers, that merit our acknowledgments and warmest approbation.

Rev. E. Curry,

Sarah Miller,

Thomas Kempshall,

Phebe Miller,

James Matthews,

M.M. Manchester

Oswego, May 13, 1834