The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-08-06
ACCIDENTTO STEAMBOATKN,Ck-
ERBOCKER.
New YoRK, July22, 1S45.

NEW lOhhT AJS
/ find the city this morning hlied WIN eH-
apgerated accounts OF the aecldent WHICH
occurred TO the Steamboat knIckeroocker OH
her down passage. Monday night. In one
part oil The city they have her blown to at
pms and lives lost; in another filed with
water: and in another her machinery a per
feet wreck. All these stories are far from
the t-u,h. The circumstances Of The occur
renee ure as follows:
At a few minutes past fen O'Clock; when
The boat was about five miles above Rh'ne-
beck. and proceeding at her usual speed,she
broke her making beam, Ia very rare acci-
dent,) and, with the next revolution oil ihe
engine, snapped her plston-roa, also-ull
yisp Il I understood, from the engineer
throuoh the cylinder. The engine was for
,unateIy stopped before another revolution
couId be made, which would have been Ia
tai to the machinery.
The crashes, there were two were ire
mendous. and the scene of terror und coniu-
sion which ensued was both exciting and
yndicrous. About two thirds Of the passen-
gers had turned m Al the lime oil the ac-
cideut | was sitting at one OF the tables IN
the state room saloon. In less Than a minute
and before | had time to make my escape all:
the state room doors were burst open, and
the saloon was Immediately filled with men.
women and children, clothed in the scantlest
habillimenf., and running, terror-stricken ana
screaming, in every direction. One old gen
ilemen made the best Of his way alt, win a
life preserver about his neck, which was in
tended 10 encompass his body; ayoung glri
flew along, %enwra7ped in the ample folds oil
her fathers dress coat; a gentleman rushed
down stairs, clutching the bed-ciothes. I'M
doubtedly in the full belief that he had his
precious uncomfortable safely in his hand /;
nnoiher run by with his valise in one land
and boots in the other; others escaped dress
ed, half-drest and undrest; and all, as they
hurried they knew not where, to escape they
knew not what, cried outvocilerously-What
is The matter ?'-'Are we blown upP is the
boat sinking ?'-'Have we struck a rock p
sWhere's my baggage 2-Getout the boats!
&c. &. But confidence was soon resioredi
the comparatively trivial character of The ac-
cident was made known, the Empire came
alongside in a few minutes, and under the
promp direction and care OF Capt. Hough'
ion and bis assistance. passengers and bag
gage were soon transferred, in perfect safe
ty, to the noble Empire, where ample room
was found, and comfortable quarters soon
prepared for nearly all. The captain and
officers of the Empire did every thing in
their power 10 make their splendid boat
stretch herselfto accommodate the multitude.
For this they deserve great credit, and the
thanks Of all the passengers.
II was found impracticable 10 tow the disa-
bled knickerbocker TO the nearest landing,so .
in about hall an honor after the occurrence Of
the accident, the Empire swung of and left
her in the middle of the stream, with her gal
Int commander and officers and crew on
board. We parted with our old friend and
favorite ofIhe travelling public with regret,
but were cheered with the prospect o seeing
her soon in the line again, and gratified TO
know that this unfortunate but unavoidable
accident 'was no worse
About 2 O'Clock in the moIniug, when a
few miles from West Point, the Empire was
oyertaken by a thunder storm of great Sc
verify, and was obliged 10 lay to- about an
hour. The wind blew a gale, and the as
poets of the storm were al once terrible and
sublime. The lightning asintensely vivid,
and bIazed from every point Of the compass.
1t seemed rs ifihe heavens were on fire, and
the sky filed with forked and sheeted flames
of blue, white and yellow cOlors. The wind
howled and moaned, the rain fell in torrents,
the waves were lashed to %toaming, the light
ming flashed necessarily, and the deep,heavy
thunder rolled majestically in the heavens.
The Storm King was abroad, and the efe-
ments seemed TO rage unlicensed. The
scenery was magnificent. The waves Of the
river constantly flashed and sparkled in blue
flames. the forms ofthe angry clouds were
displayed every instant in dazzling light, SO
intense as almost 10 blind the eye; and the
neighboring Highlands, towering from the
river to the clouds, were now cnvelopcd in
impenetranle darkness and completely hidden
from the sight; and anon. quick rs the con-
ccpiion ola thought, were Illuminated, from
blse 10 summIt,and ina light so brilliant and
glorious, that every building, tree and beet
ling crag. stood out IN bold reliefand seemed
almost within our grasp. The passengers
left their cabins and their COTS, and gathered
between the gang ways on deck, TO behold
in silence the awful but sublime spectacle OF
ia isnrk- of Hin who rideih upon the whirl-
wind and guideih Inc storm, who revealeth
hispower in the lightnings, and who utfereth
his awful voice in the thunder. The heart
felt IFS weakness, and man his insigniticance
and utter helplessness. None seemed Stu
pidly terrified, or cried out in lear. A deep
er feellng-a sense of iminent danger imin-
gled with awe-scemed to pervade the minds
Of all who witnessed the scene. Old and
Young. males and females, gazed for hours in
silent wonder.