The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-09 00:00:00

FEARFUL COLLISION.

On Friday night last, about a quarter to 7 o'clock,
a lamentable accident occurred off the southern
outfibll sewer at Crossness Point, near Erith, oppo-
site Barking Creek, the spot where the fatal acci-
dent to the cadets of the Worcester training ship
happened about three years ago.
It appears that the Metis, one of the oldest of the
well-known Thames Company's steamboats, which
had left Gravesend at half-past 5 o'clock, was pro-
ceeding up the river with about 50 passengers on
board when she was run into off the southern out-
fall sewer by a steam collier, the Wentworth, of
Newcastle, coming down the river under steam and
canvas, and received a sudden blow on the after
quarter that cut her almost asunder below the water
line. The collision placed the whole of the crew
and passengers at once in most imminent danger, as
the water immediately rushed into the opening with
fearful force, sinking her stern. Fortunately, the
man at the wheel, named Cheeseman, of Green-
wich, had the presence of mind to turn the head of
his vessel into the south shore in time to save her
from sinking in deep water ; but the poor fellow's
courageous act cost him his life, as he was soon after
swept away. Two children, Alice Brigden, aged
nine years, of 1, Edward-street, Penton-place,
Newington-butts, with an infant, Richard Barry,
nine months old, of 26, Pier-terrace, Cubitt's Town,
were also drowned in the cabin ; besides which the
captain, Henry Spenchley, of Beresford-street,
Woolwich, received such serious injuries through
being violently thrown from the look-out bridge,
which broke both his arms, that his life is in danger.
It seems that about fourteen of the passengers
were having tea in the after cabin at the time of
the accident, and the first intimation they had of
the collision was a cry that a man—Cheeseman—
was overboard. Most of them at once made for
the deck and were fortunate enough to escape, but
Mr. Edmund Brigden, who had two little girls
with him, and Mr. Richard Barry, whose wife
and infant were also below, were less fortunate.
The wife of the latter had the babe swept from
her arms by the rush of water, and was pulled on
deck herself only just in time to save her life, leav-
ing her husband behind, while his chance of escape
with that of Brigden and his two daughters was cut
off by the floating away of the companion-ladder.
It appears that Brigden, then attracted by the light
from the skylight, though chin deep in water suc-
ceeded in smashing the glass and frame, and was
pulled through with one child by some of the Coast-
guard, who went quickly to the rescue from their
ship, close at hand. An endeavour to rescue the
remaining child was unhappily unsuccessful. Many
of the passengers were taken on board the boats o':
the Coastguard, and one of these brave fellows,
named Thompson, hearing that the poor fellow
Barry was still in the cabin, made a dash at the
risk of his life and succeeded in pulling him out
after eight minutes' submersion. Barry was re-
moved on board the Coastguard ship, where he re-
ceived proper attention, as did also the girl Brigden,
both of whom remained on board for the night.
About half an hour after the accident the Sea
Swallow, another steamer of the Waterman's Com-
pany, with a screw tug, came up and took off the
rest of the passengers, assisted by the Thames
police, who also happened to be near at hand in
their long boat. It seems the disaster arose from
both vessels turning this dangerous point from oppo-
site sides at the same time, when both ported their
helms simultaneously. The greatest consternation
ensued, and the cries of the passengers were heart-
rending ; but it must be said, to the credit both of
the crew and the male portion of the passengers,
that they behaved courageously in the extremity, or
greater loss of life must have ensued. One of the
Coastguard, named George Clarke, distinguished
himself by his cool intrepidity. On Saturday means
were taken to raise the Metis with lighters, and by
tight o'clock she was towed up to Woolwich and
moored off the wharf just below the Old Pier.
The body of Cheeseman had not been recovered
up to yesterday at noon.