Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-04-04

SrEAMBoArs.-ln addition to the ac-
counts Of the collision Of tho steamboats,
John w. Richmond and Osccola, pub
lished in our last, we publish this week
tho following statements respecting that
unpleasant affair. The public will now
Judge whether the charge urged against
the Directors of tho Boston and New
York Transportation Company has been
fully made out.
NJ Having been called upon by the New
York and Boston Transportation Company 10
state my knowledge of facts connected win
the excursion Of the steamboat Oseola, on
Saturday, March 23J, they arc as follows:
VIM. II. Brown, ono OF the Proprletofs aho
builder of said boat; having made various
statements to myself and other prolessiona,
gentlemen as 10 her great speed, Proposeo
10 test her powers in that respect alongs'ue
Of the steamboats, Rhode Island j. w. k'ch,
rnond and Lexington, on the above named
dsy. We were accordingly taken on board
Mt tho Battery, and waited for the departure
of those boats. The principal interest was
the question of speed between her and the
steamboat Lexington; the Rhode Island and
J. w. Richmond, being second class boats
in that respect.
The Lexington got of much in advance OF
the other two, the Oscola waited until the
departure OF the Richmond. In going round
the Battery, by the msmanagcment oi both
pilots, the Richmond and Oseola came IN
contact in such manner however, as to do
no sort Of injury to either, or to give any
cause Of alarm. The pilot OF the Oscola by
taking the inside of the Ricbmond,was wrong
in my opinion, os it exposed him to beng
crowded on to the docks, if the latter did mol
choose to give him space. AT the same time,
having got alongside Of her, il was at the op-
ton Of the pilot of the Richmond either to
| give him room or run across Ills bows. lie
preferred the latter course, presume, be-
cause under some excitement, and also be-
cause the Oscola is so small and light boat
that no injury could be sustained by the
Richmond.
The Oseola then proceeded up the Fast
River, easily passing the Richmond The
Lexington being very far ahead, and the cn-
zine Of the Ose0a working very badly, the
boat was turned round Blackwell's Island, the
engine shut off so os to drop her astern OF
the Richmond, and the passengers were
landed at the Dry Dock, much disappointed
at not having accomplished their object. viz :
trial of speed with the Lexington; and all
on board rcgretting what was considered an
| accidental encounter with the Richmond.
/ The steamboat Oseola is chartered to ply
on the lst of April next, between New York
and Poughko epsie, on the North River; her
own pilot and crew had charge of her, and
none Of her owners, or the persons who have
chartered her, nre in any way interested IN
the Eastern boats--nor have the proprietors
of the latter any in,creStin her. have been
shown a statement and certificate in The Bos-
ton Times. The parts Of it which state as
Grcfs, the interest and agency of the Boston
and New York Transportation Company in
this matter, arc untrue the differences as to
the intentions OF the Oscola, her horrible
manmuvrcs, which compelled Capt. Town
send for once to race, to load his guns, divide
his passengers into boarding parties, &C.,
must have originated from the interested in
situations of others, as il can hardly be sup
posed that even the excited fancies of the
passengers could have carried them into sucl'
extravagant conclusions.
\ GEORGE l.. SCHUYLER.