Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-09-01

we have tins day 10 place on record
one OF the most melancholy accidents
thai has occurred in our waters, attend.
ed with . loss Of Iieihat is deeply az
fiicting.
This morning about half past @ o..
clock. the ferry boat which plies be-
tween the navy yard at Brooklyn and
the foot Of Walnut street. came in con-
tact with the steamboat Boston, Capt.
Townsend, snd in less than three mi.
nutes every vestiRe OF the ferry boat
had disappeared. having sunk in about
FIVE fathoms Of water.
II appears that the unfortunaie boat
was this morning unusually late in
making her 6rst trip, and that being so
detained. some fifteen mechanics who
had been waiting for her. and who
were anxious 70 get from Long Islsnd.
mad got on board q small boat and
were making their way over. using
great exertions 70 head the Boston;
she finding herself close upon the
small boat and the tide running strong,
shifted her position. At this moment
the ferry boat was seen, driving with
the current FAST upon the Boston. Cap
tain Townsend. being himself in the
wheel house, rang the bell 10 stop, in
stantiy gave the signal TO back the
boat, and ran 10 the engine and d.
rected the engineer to back with all
force. II was too late-the bosts came
in contact and the ferry boat went
down almost instantly.
When Il was found that the ferry
boat was sinking, Capt. Townsend o.
dered all his small boats 20 be mapned,
and but few moments elapsed before
they were down. and Iu the midst OF
the. drowning passengers. Ten OF
twelve were picked UP. and carried on
board the Boston. One OF the rersons
saved was n female, whose husband
and son were on board. both oil whom
were drowned. THE female was kept
on the surface by the buovancy Of her
dress. Her husband was unwell, and
she with her son. was accompanying
him 20 mis- city. In addition TO those
saved by the boats. four persons climbed
up the bows ID the Boston and got on
board.
: A passenger who ives an observer Of
the whole. ssys il wss a most painful
scene to witness the agony depicted
on the countensnces Of the passengers,
when The the boat was going down
Their cries for aid must have been
heard at . great distspce. Every thing
that would float, that was az hand.
was thrown over from the Boston, in
the hope that some might thus be
saved.
The ferry boat wss named the Cen
ersl Jackson. end ives commanded by
Capt. Cole. Capt. c. says that when
be saw the Boston he stopped his en-
CINE and backed water, but the Boston
had considerable Roadway when her
engine was stopped, and being then 90
close the conclusion was great.
The captain Of the ferry boat suppo,
ses there were about twenty per-
sons on board. fourteen Of whom were
milk-men and boys. two women and
several other passengers, and the deck
hands Of the boat.
There were fourteen horses on
board. all OF which were drowned, be-
ing attached 70 milk carts and wagons.
In fact not an article could be saved, as
the boat sunk in two minutes after she
wal struck.
The passengers and crew made eve
~ effort 10 get on board the Boston,
but We regret 10 state that sax At least
Of the number were drowned: some
Of them succeeded in Jumping on
board, and others in catching hold of
ropes and plank that were thrown to
them by the passengers Of the Boston.
As most Of those on board were pick
ed up and put on board the Boston. and
by her carried TO her landing place al
the foot Of Chambers street. il could
not yet be asceFtained whether there
were any other persons drowned.
None OF the crew Of the boat were
drowned.
About half On hour after the ACCT
dent the boat arose to the top Of the
water. and remained, Il is supposed
about twenty minutes, when the
change oftid0 caused her TO sink again.
" Y. CsmsssyeSsI