New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-04-09

fears were Gained for moment by Inc outcIy maj
we had only come N contact with rail-. but our
ears were speedily assailed by the appalling sounds
of the rending of tmbers, and the evident destruc-
ton Of the boat while the stern settled with fright
ful rapiditv. Those whe had turned IN, IN the
after CABIN. had barely time TO leap from their
berths. before the water was upon them. You can
irs CINE the horrors OF the scene at this moment,
when more than three hundred souls were thus ex-
posed in the midst OF falling snow and almost utter
darkness. As the water reached the boiler tires
sheet OF mingled steam, smoke and fame poured
into the boat, Illuminating the shastly counienances
with sudden glare ef vivid light, and completing
the CONSERVATION. The conviction that the curse
Of fire was to be added TO our other imminent penis,
curbed the resolution OF the stoutest hearts But
the rapid sinking OF the boat e1tlnguzilcd the fires,
and all was darkness again.
In less than five minutes, by the blessing OF Cod,
the stern rested on the bottom, the water being
above the windows Of the aft saloon state rooms
Several females were drawn out of state rooms by
dashing in the windows two almost exhausted
one very aged, and now lying on board this boat
in precarous situation-were taken from the
Ladies Cabin by cutting through the floor. They
had sustained themselves on settees, with only
few inches Of breathing room for their faces. The
boat had been forced high and dry upon the rock,
and the bow, split open amldships, was lett us
ing almost perpendiculary upward, covered with
anxious beings clinging to the bulwarks. The re-
mainder of the passengers were sadly grouped on
the forward upper deck, many bewalling the alb
sence Of dear companions, and actuaied by the
most dreadful apprehensons for their fate
By this time the alarm had been thoroughly COM
munlcated 10 the shore on either side. The bells
of the churches began TO ring, and the rlver was
soon covered with torches, waving in the feet OF
boats that put of TO cur assistance while the Ro-
chester, which had found it difficult 10 get to ss
and the Express, which had now come up, were
gradually approaching along side The sound OF
the bells pealing The air, the shouts OF those IN
the boats. the light Of the waving torches and the
wailing grief of many on the wreck constituted ea-
lures OF most impressive scene.
In the course of an hour all were taken of who
remained In the Rochester the past seeming like
terrible dream, am approaching the city 1t
can scarcely be but that several are lost. Many
eaped Immediately overheard IN that frenzy OF
mind which prccluded the power OF seIi-preserva-
ton in the water. The doors of the most OF the
State-rooms were so sprung at once as to be I'M
movable, and examination will probably discover
the dead within some of them. can scarcely hope
otherwise.
The boat is complete wreck. 1t was a mourn
full sigh. as we cas-: of from her side The Captain
behaved nobly-calmng fears, and making his
voice heard every where IN advice, with the most
thorough Judgment aad seli-possesslon. The bag
gage is almost all deep under water, and will be re-
covered only in damaged state.
Our hearty thanks are due 10 the olhcers ct the
Rochester and Express for their prompt assistance
and unrlng assldulty 10 save every thing that hand
could be laid on.
Friends in the Rochester tell me that the yell of
agony, as they describe il, which came 10 their
ears from the sinking boat was OF characier never
10 be forgotten. Yours, truly,
HENRY F. HARRINGTON.
\. B.-Moninc.- apprehensions OF loss Of
life which have expressed above, are fully real
ised. Several females were seen TO be washed off
by the water as il rose above the guards and all,
it is thought could not have escaped from the cabin.
Several on board our boat have nothing but their
night dresses.
The Evening Gazette of yesterday says;
"Cap;. Crurenden states that when nearly oPpo-
site Hudson, he was Just preparing 10 go up TO the
pilots room OF his boat, the Rochester, when ne
heard the pilot ring the bell TO SLOW ana iH'nedl-
afey afterwards the bell OF The Swallow rang also.
He ran up stairs, and when he reached the deck
discovered the Swallow sinking. AT this time he
was about 300 yards astern, and by the time ne got
alongside OF the Swallow her hurricane deck was
under water Capt. Cruttenden immediately al
tempred TO round TO in the Athens Channel, but
could not effect II until he had dropped an anchor,
aud when the Rochester swung round, he weighed
anchor and ran up alongside IN time te take of
about l50 passengers.
The pilot OF the Swallow, UlIi0m Burnett. is
one OF the oldest, most experienced and faithful
pilots on the River. Captain Squlres was with him
al the wheel, when the boat struck, and such was
the rapdlty with which the wafer rose, thai before
he could reach the ladies' saloon he was knee deep
IN water.
According TO his estimate, there were from two
hundred two hundred and ttty passengers on
board, and he fears that there must have been
loss OF several lives As the Isis and books OF the
boat however, all went down with The stern, II Is
impossible at present 10 speak with certainty as to
the number. The extreme thickness OF the FOG Is
assigned as the cause OF the accdent,-the pilot
having been misled, and losing the night channel
The passengers taken of BY The Rochester. held
a meeting on that boai OF which the following are
the proceedings:
a, meeting OF those persons who passengers
board the steamboat swallow her passage down the
River, 1h Of April sl5. held on The same evening,
board the steamboat Rochester the Hon. Gideon Hard.
Aleen appointed Chairman and the Hon James Jar
Wis OF New York, Secretary. John Paine James Jarvis
Gideon Hard, Day O. Ke.cSs and Samuel Cay. were Ap
poiateG Committee 10 recommend suitable resolutions FOR
the consideration OF the meeting.
The Committee reported the following resolutions which
were unanimously adopted.
ieSoced That The steiIooa; Swallow, Al The time OF The
happening the melancholy accident this eveGus in the
Athens channel running considerably below her uszi
sIeed, being the time very dark and tie snow falling
In such quantities enGeri: very tcat Tor the Pilot
20 discove. the shores
Resored That Captain SIures, Of the sva, ", during
the continuance the danger which tse passengers
exposed conducted hrs SELF with ceolaess and sell
possession worthy ali praise. and b. doing coDtbu-
ted essentially the safety OF tie passengers
Resided That the thanks OF this meeting are eIrtnenIy
the Captains OF The steamboats, Express at Roches
ter well the citizens Of Athens and HUDSON for the
very prompt relief BY which we were rescued
Rssosoi That the proceedings OF this meeting be sign
Ell BY The Chairman and Secretary, ard suc Ct the pas
seGge-s present. ana published
GIDEON HARD, Chairman.
JAMES JARVIS Secretary.
The Correspondent. ofC. Livingston, VINO was
on the Rochester, writes
.yThere was much excitement or board the Ro-