The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-11-03
From he HampStire 7siesraps.
CATASTROPHE AT PORTSMOUTH


From HE hampshire Telegraph.
CATASTROPHE AT PORTSMOUTH,
On Wednesday last, at twelve minutes past
twelve, his Mjcsty'o ship Prlncess Caarloffe, IN
tended to carry lilo guns Che largest ship built
here, was launched At this Dock yard, in the
presence of an unmcn'e concoursc OF fspectators
who saw the stupcndous Fabric maiestically
,rHdc into that element in which she was destin-
ed to hoat in the pertecness OF combined supe-
rior skill and science. 1t is with the deepest
sorrow we state, that while this event was pass
ng in view oftcns of thousands OF persons, with
all the interest and atlmiring feelings which so
magnificent spectacle must ever produce, the
appalled attention Of vast number of persons
was arrested, in their way to the sight, by more
affecting and terrific accident than long course
of past evcnuul years of war produced here, and
which took place about ten minutes before the
slup went oil the slip. Our readers perhaps,
are not generally aware, that over the gates of
every Dock, in this Dock yard, and connected
Herewith by iron stanchcons, is thrown n light
bridge or brow of four pl4nks width, for the gen
eral convenience of passing to and fro, and short
enng the distance 10 various parts Of the yard
In the short passage from tiic entrance OF the
Dock ward to the Slip ON which the Princess
Charlotte was built, are three Of these britlgc6,
each about 20 feet long Connected with the
| irst bridge, is capaC ous basin, into which it
| WAS intended the Princess Charlotte, on being
! launched should be Hoatel, preparatory TO being
4 taken INTO what is called the angular dock, 10
! be coppercd. An increased quantity OF water
had been let into the basin for the purpose, At
| the hour Of II, this bridge was crowded with
! persons passing over it to view the launch, when
the we ght Of the water in the basin (ani proba-
| 1. l,y tl,,,
bridgc) pressed 50 pond, ronsly against the dock.
gates, that they broke in pieces, and in an nstan,
the iocl, was filled by Tremendous rush of wa
tcr from the basin, cauynEa Ealong in its resistlcs'
course, the gates III fragments, bridge, rails
work stages, and all the passengers on the bridge
excepting such only rs we're within few feet
OF the cXttemites. How many persons were
On the bridge, and thus were suddenly prccip.
it,tcl INTO lie dock is not known tits hoped the
ninibcr did not cxcced3). The terrific rush o
} water towards the bridge and dock-head, throw
, ingUp the bodies Of the unfortunate sufferers
intermngled with all the destructive mass Of a
gtatcd fragments to a height Of several fee
above the masonry work, and its rcvulsion to
: wards the basin, WAS sight so dreadfully appal
ling that almost every spectator shriuks from the
task of rninutey describing it. We have how
ever prevailed on one intelligent gentleman o
this place, lwho was, with nine others, survey
ors Of London, within 20 Yards Of the fatal spot
and in half a minute w1d have been upon it,
to emlcavOur to describe the scene.-lIe SAYS
{ 81 was within 20 yards Of the bridge when
heard scream, and looked towards the bridge
ii had the appearance )f an inverted arch. and
distinctly saw several persons run oil at botl
enls-I should think hom Is to 90. In a mo
; ment dreadful crack was heard, and another
scream from the persons prcciptated into tht
water; at the same instant a tremendous rush o
e water issued into the dock, which was impellet
G with rapidity not 70 br conceived of but b,
S those who saw IL forming a stupcndous wave
t bearing on its surface many ofthc struggling sui
: tcrers, mingled with large fragments of broker
I timber, all which was dashed with inconceivabl,
fury against the iurthcrend ofthe dock, and whicl
from its mpetuosity, again rcsounded in a curl
ng wave whose height Eas at least 10 or fee
n about the level OF the yard, carrying in the tire
= mcnlous conflict the bodies OF the sufferers
= large pieces timber, cloaks, hats, and clothe
= Of the unfortunate victims, and again rushed
:, back to fill the hollow which had been create,
:, y in the surface by its own velocity" Oh! IN,
: God! my God!' was the exclamation of the be
> holder; and u momentary stupor took possession
p Of the mind, which was affected bv the convc
u ton that the unfortunate victims must in tina
Al instant have been dashed to inevitable dealt
IS against the stone work Of the basin.
% The silence was but for a moment; for mme
= diately afterwards appeared in different parts O
l. the basin the bodies Of the sufferers some in tn
agones Of death, Others in state ofinscnsibit,
and one or two apparently not much injured
is but still exposed not only to the horrors drown
in ing, but TO those Of coming in contact with tn
e pieces Of shattered timber, which the agitate
}. uproar Of the water was dashng one against til
: other Persons on the bank stripped off thei
,s coats and hats, and were about to plunge in t
!. rescue such as were near the brink but for som
y, minutes, until the agltated surface Of the waite
was stille,l, it would have been perfect madness
and those minutes were fatal to several
y There was ono person apparently an ntc
= esting female, with short dark hair, and app;
u rently purple pcsse, who was uncomnonl
J. buoyant. said to her, take hold of that pec
l. Of timber, and it will your life. She hear
l. me, and clasped in her hand a mere chr
e Some one threw an umbrella to her, but she W;
s. too far gone to reach it. rushed to the othe
y end of the basin, and urged boat to come (the
? wanted no persuasion;l as it passed the wharf