ices of Captain Jared S. Crandall,
Albert Crandall, Daniel F. Larkin, Frank Larkin, Byron Green,
John D. Harvey, Courtland Gavitt, Eugene Nash, Edwin Nash and
William Nash of the town of Westerly, State of Rhode Island, who
so gallantly volunteered to man the life-boat and a fishing boat,
and saved the lives of thirty-two persons from the wreck of the
steamer "Metis," on the waters of Long Island Sound, on the
thirty-first day of August, one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-two.

Approved February 24, 1873.

_____

_Captain David Ritchie to the Secretary of the Navy._

United States Revenue Steamer Mocassin,
To the Honorable Newport, Rhode Island, September 1st, 1872.
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."

I then stood