There being no signs of any bodies floating about, with decks full of water, I stood for Point Judith. Still finding no signs of the wreck, and the sea getting too heavy to lower a boat, I stood for Newport and anchored.
Having found a jewel and pocket-book on board (the property of one of the dead), I turned the same over to Mr. Bigelow, to take them to Stonington for the purpose of identifying corpse marked No. 4.
Trusting that the conduct of the Mocassin, under my command, and the acts of her officers and crew may meet the approval of the Department,
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
David Ritchie,
Captain United States Revenue Marine.
Resolution of Congress Voting Thanks to Captain Ritchie.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered to Captain David Ritchie, commanding the revenue steamer Mocassin, and to the officers and men under his command, for their heroic and humane action in saving the lives of forty-two persons from the wreck of the steamer "Metis" on the waters of Long Island Sound, on the morning of the thirty-first of August, eighteen hundred and seventy-two.
Approved January 24, 1873.