August 3, 1861 – Arrest of a Rebel Bearer of Dispatches in New York
Crew Saved, Steamer Will Be a Total Loss
Collier Nero is Ashore on Block Island
Struck Dangerous Portion of Coast Early This Morning in Fog
Hole Stove in Her Forward Compartment and Portion of Her Crew Taken Off by Life Savers, While Word is Sent to New London for Assistance, and It Is Expected That She Will Be Gotten Off Before Dark This Evening, Though Her Bow Is Filled With Water.
While proceeding up the coast this morning, bound from Newport News to the Bradford coaling station, the United States auxiliary collier Nero, in command of Captain Shurteff, grounded on the rocky coast of Block Island and stove a hole in her forward compartment, which immediately filled with water.
The ships pilot, it is believed, mistook the distance of the fog signal on South eastern light and ran his ship too close to the shore.