The ship _Alknomac_ sailed from the river of Sligo, Ireland, in October,
1811, with 79 passengers. After a passage of 73 days she was cast away
at Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. The passengers and crew were rescued and
spent nine days there. Captain Hicks, who commanded the _Alknomac_, at
length provided a sloop in which the passengers embarked for New York.
Unfavorable weather continuing, the sloop was driven ashore at Newport,
R. I., December 24, 1811, where passengers and crew were again landed.
The New York _Shamrock_, describing the incident, says: “Commodore
Rodgers was on the Newport station when 79 Irish passengers were landed
from a wrecked vessel. He humanely tendered the hand of hospitality and
liberally provided them with every necessary to enable them to proceed
to New York, the port of their original destination. Eight of the
passengers who have come by land were supplied with money, and the
others who remained waiting for a passage by water, received money,
provisions and every necessary aid from the American commander.”