The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-30 00:00:00

STSAMEIL

QUEENSTOWN. MARCH 29.

The first serious accident which has befallen any
of the American steamers running to and from this post
warred this morning. The particulars are thee detailed
in the Cork Examiner:

"The New York, after a splendid purge from New
York, struck upon Daunt'. Rock as she was entering the
harbour, and great fears are entertained that she will become
a total wreck. Fortunately, the accident hes not been
attended by loss of life. The ship ran right on the centre
of the ridge of rocks, and remained firmly seated in it, so
that no immediate danger to the poisoners arose. The
weather was exceedingly favourable. Had the ship struck
on one of the ledges of the rock there is every reason to
believe th►t the mishap would hare been fraught with the
most lamentable consequences. The particulars of the un-
fortunate oocurrencie are these : The ship had an ex-
traordinarily fine camp across ; her average rate of
speed was up to 300 miles a day. Before two o'clock I,
this morning she sighted the harbour, and, as the weather
was exceedingly clear, she was kept going at the rata of 14
miles an hour as she approached it. The moon was shining
brightly at the time. The wind was N.W., that is, blowing
off the land, and it is stated that Captain Kennedy, in order
In keep to the windward of the reek in coming in, took the
inner passage. the breadth of which is about three quarters
of a mile. All was going on fairly, when at 2.40 or so the
ship ran with a loud crash right upon the centre of Dauat's
Rock. Tbe concussion shook all the passengers, who had re-
tired to sleep. It is described as resembling • series of
shocks, and the ship seemed literally to drive over ledge
after ledge, as, impelled at almost fell speed, she dashed
upon the rock. The water rushed into her compartments
in immense volumes, and in a very short time it had risen
to the level of the sea. A sane of the greatest confusion
ensued, the passengers, some half-dressed, others as they
had risen from sleep, rushed ►bout not knowing the extent
of their danger, but thinking from the terrible shock that
the ship received that she would go down on the instant.
All attempts to move her in any w►y were out of the ques-
tion, for in a few minutes after she struck the water
had put out the engine fires and was still rising. The only
thing that could be done was to put out the boats, arid to
obtain ansietence from shore. A number of blue lights
were thrown up, ►nd signal guns were fired incesaantly.
Aid from shore did not, however, reach the vessel instil
about Wiliest 4 o'clock. About 20 minutes to 3 o'clock
the tugboat, which meets the steamer to receive the mails
and passel:lgen, left Queenstown, the City of New York
having been at that time signalled, and proceeded out as far
as Roche's Point. It waited there for some time, until some
of the ship's signal guns were beard, and thee, eurruiaing
that an accident meat have occurred, the tugboat proceeded.
On getting • little further out the City of New York was
found fairly placed upon the rock, with her heed turned
towards Queenstown, withis about 10 feet of Daunt's Rock
buoy. The tugboat was immediately got alongside, and,
under the direction of Captain Kennedy, the mails and as
many of the pusengers as possible were put on board. There
were 78 cabin and 75 steerage passengers on board the ship,
besides the crew, which numbers about la) men. Intelligence
of the accident was immediately despatched to Queenstown,
and steps were promptly taken to render all the aid which
oonldbe given. The admiral of the port was communicated
with, sad he at ono* sent out H.M.S. Advice and Mag-
pie. The Jackal, the Cunard Company's feeder the Arran
Castle, the Brunel and the Robert Bruce, tug-boats, also
proceeded out. The passengers' luggage was got out
as soon as possible, and put on board the tugs, and steps
ware taken to lighten the ship by removing u much of the
cargo as could be come at. Theme operations sae being con-
tinued up to the present time. It was dead ebb when the ship
struck. The tide is now pawing, and it is not known what
the effect of this will be ea the ship. It is feared that she
tray birth over into the deep water at the other aide, aid in