The New Hampshire Gazette

On the morning of Monday the 29th ultimo, a Shallop from Morris-river, lying on her side, with her masts and sails in the water, drifted past the ship Indian Chief, commanded by Capt. Thomas Keown, lying at anchor abreast Bombay Hook; Mr. Garret Hulskamp, who was pilot of said ship, at the request of Capt. Keown, ordered his pilot-boat to convey him, the said Keown, alongside the wreck, to see if any thing could be done to save it. The pilot-boat was made fast to it, and attempted to tow it into a place of safety, which prevented it from drifting further down the bay.

At this period the men who belonged to the shallop, came alongside, in a small boat, and informed Capt. Keown that they were in the shallop when she overset, at about 5 o'clock, P. M. on Sunday; that they saved themselves in their skiff; but that three women (a mother and her two daughters) who were in the cabin could not get out, and of course were drowned.

Capt. Keown finding it impossible to tow the shallop, which still lay with her masts and sails in the water, brought her to anchor with a new towline which he had taken with him from the ship. This circumstance, under Providence, was the means of saving the life of one of the young women, who, though she had remained immersed up to the neck in water for about eighteen hours, was yet taken out alive!

It appears that the shallop-men cut away that part of the cabin bulk-head which was but just out of water, at the particular desire of Capt. Keown, in order to search for the bodies of the unfortunate women in question, when, to their infinite astonishment, they found that one of the young women had been able to keep her head just above water in the only corner of the cabin which was above the surface. It may naturally be supposed, she was nearly exhausted and senseless: but being taken immediately ashore to a house, she soon recovered so far as to talk rationally.

Mr. Garret Hulskamp sent his boat the two following days to attend the shallop's men. By this opportune and friendly assistance, her tackle and apparel were saved, she was righted, and towed into a place of safety.