Captain David Ritchie to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States Revenue Steamer Mocassin,
Newport, Rhode Island, September 1st, 1872.
To the Honorable
George S. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, District of Columbia.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the services rendered by this vessel, her officers and crew to the passengers and crew of the wrecked steamer Metis on the morning of August 30th, 1872.
On the evening of August 29th, while cruising to the westward, weather threatening, ran in for a harbor behind the Stonington breakwater, where we anchored. My glass falling and there being every indication of a storm, I prepared my vessel for it.
At 8 p.m. the gale began, and continued to increase throughout the night from southeast with heavy sea and blinding rain.
At daylight the gale moderated and it stopped raining, the wind hauling by south to westward.
At 9.20 a.m. the first officer of the steamer "Stonington" of the New York and Stonington Line, came alongside, and reported that the steamer "Metis" of the New York and Providence Line, was wrecked off Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the fate of which, together with her one hundred and fifty passengers and crew, was unknown.
I ordered steam as quickly as possible, and at 10.15 a.m. got under way and proceeded to the scene of the disaster, stationing lookouts aloft and upon the house.
I soon descried two boats loaded with helpless men, women and children, near the edge of the surf at Watch Hill Light House, and with great difficulty and danger, on account of the heavy sea, succeeded in getting them on board of the "Mocassin."