The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-18 00:00:00

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Yesterday afternoon the utmost sensation was created
along the water-side and at the various steam-boat piers
along the river, in consequence of one of those unfortu-
nate collisions which, though common on the other side
of the Atlantic, are of rare occurrence in this country.
The ill-fated boat which has suffered by the event is the
Sylph, belonging to the Old Woolwich Steam-boat Com-
pany ; the one which has been the cause is the Orwell,
belonging to the Ipswich Company. From the meagre
particulars svhiehishe reporter has been able to obtain, it
appears that about half-past two, or from that to three
o'clock, the Sylph started from London-bridge Wharf
for Greenwich and Woolwich. at London-bridge she took
on board 24 passengers; on her arrival at the Thames-
tunnel she took in 10; and with this number of passengers
she proceeded on her course to Greenwich. On proceeding
down the river the heavy fog which had hung over the
metropolis during the morning, had not departed from
the river, and, as the boat neared Greenwich, the den-
sity of the fog was so great as scarcely to permit the
captain to see a boat's length before him. From some
cause, which at present remains unexplained, the Sylph,
it appears, was on the north or Middlesex side of the
shore, and was in the act of crossing for the pier at
Greenwich, when a large vessel was seen close to her.
The captain of the Sylph instantly cried out " Stop her ;
go astern ;" which commands were promptly attended
to, but too late ; for the next instant a tremendous crash
was heard, and in an instant the fore-cabin of the Sylph
was filled with water, and, melancholy to relate, not one
individual in that part of the boat has escaped. So in-
stantaneous was the collision that it was impossible to
give any alarm to the passengers. Those on deck for-
tunately
escaped. The statement of Captain S. Wrack-
ham,
the commander of the Orwell, as connected with
this melancholy event, is to the following
effect ;—The
Orwell was duo at five o'clock on Monday evening, but
on coming up the river, and when on the other sido of
Gravesend, the fog was so heavy that it was found neces-
sary to cast anchor. About nine o'clock yesterday
morning she heaved her anchor, but in consequence
of the continuance of the fog, she came tip the river
at a very slow rate. Between one and two o'clock she
was off Woolw ich, and was two hours making the distance
from that point to Greenwich. When off the latter
place the Sylph was making for the pier, and, it being
high tide, she was under the necessity of going at her
full speed. In crossing from the north to the south shore
the Orwell came in sight of the Sylph, when the pilot,
whose name is Wiggens, being at the wheel of the Or-
well, seeing the danger which the smaller boat was in,
called out, "Stop her ; ease her," and the Orwell was
backed three turns astern. Unfortunately, the Sylph
was not able to clear herself ; for, although the backing
took place, she was struck in the fore-sponson, or in
front of the paddle box on the larboard side, and in-
stantly filled, the figure-head of the Orwell coming
across the deck of the Sylph. The cries and shrieks of
the unfortunate passengers were truly alarming ; but
before any aid could be rendered the Sylph pitched head
downwards. The crew and passengers of the Orwell
rendered every assistance, and dragged several of the ill-
fated passengers through the aperture which had .been
made ; but for this, the loss of human life must have
been much greater. At the time of writing the
account the actual number of persons lost could not be
ascertained, but there is no doubt that the number
stated—viz., seventeen, is, unfortunately, within the
mark, for before Captain Wrackham left nine bodies had
been recovered, consisting of men, women, and children,
most, or all of whom are supposed to belong to Green-
wich, Woolwich, and its vicinity. None of the bodies
at the time they were found were identified. Captain
Wrackham states, that had he come up at full speed,
he must have run completely over the Sylph and sunk
her I had this occurred, not a single life would have
escaped to tell the particulars of this deplorable ac-
cident. _ _ _

The ill-fated vessel, the Sylph, WBS only built last
spring, and was an iron boat, being built on the newest
principle ; she was divided into three compartments—
the fore part, including the fore-cabin, the engine-house,
and after part ; each of these are completely water-tight,
and although one portion may be struck and knocked in,
yet the other portions cannot be affected by the water ;
and from this circumstance alone is to be attributed the
saving of some of the passengers, for the instant she
filled the stern rose out of the water, and to that part all
the passengers on deck rushed, where they clung hold of
the seats, sides, &c., until rescued from their perilous
situation. The Sylph was of about 50 tons' burden, while
the Orwell is oF 150 tons, having two engines of 40-horse
power, and has been under the command of the present
captain (who, for skill and attention, bears a very high
character) for about three years.
The Orwell will leave the river to-morrow (this
morning), under the command of Captain Wrackham
and the rest of the crew, so that if the inquest should be
held to-day, it will merely be for the identification of
the bodies, when the investigation will be, as a matter of
course, adjourned.