Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-04-19
FEARFUL DISASTER.
Loss of tho steamer Swallow.

The usually safe and peaceful navigation of the
Hudson has been marked, since the opening of
the present season, by an unusual number of Sc.
rious accidents but not for many years have we
been startled by an event of such magnitude, and,
there is perhaps reason to fear, of such disres.
sing consequences, as that which we are now
called on TO record. We give all the informa.
tion that we have been able TO obtain.
The swallow, it appears, left Albany on Mon
day evening at six o'clock having on board pas
sengers in number varously estimated at from
$50 to $50 At little after eight o'clock, she
struck upon the point of the island between lIud
son and Athens. with such force to lift the bow
entirely out of the water, break the boat in two
and render her complete wreck.
About one hundred of the passengers were
brought down by the Rochester, and fifty by the
Express, the remainder being landed at Hudson,
many preierring to stay there for the purpose OF
making effort, in the morning, to recover their
baggage from the wreck.
The LIVES LOST BY THE SwALLow.-The
apprehension that lives had been lost by the wreck
of the Swallow has, we are sorry to say, proved
too true as we learn from the Tribune. Tues
day was devoted to the sad duty of probing the
suuken wreck for the bodies of the dead, and
with too fatal result. Seven bodies had been
recovered-six being females. Among the lat
Ter had been already recognized Mrs. Briggs,
Miss Mrs. Wood, and Mrs Coltron, of Troy,
whose husband came down on hearing the news
OF the disaster, and was present when the body
of his wife was recovered. A gentleman from
Albany had just arrived in search of his two sis
ters, who were discovered in the wreck. Mr..
ellison, who was on board with his wife, escaped,
but find nothing OF her SO far. Ii is possible,
however, that she was taken up by the Rochester
Express.
1t is known that Mrs. French and an old lady
named Mrs. Lambert was drowped.
1t was rumored that young lady, niece of
Joseph c. Heartt, Esq, Troy, had died from
fright, after having reached the shore in safety.
A correspondent of the Mirror communicates
the following incident which occurred on board
the steamboat swallow.
"The awful scene exhibited to the selfpos.
sessed observer many striking traits of human
nature. In the very height of the confusion and
dismay, on the upper deck, when all was dark
ness. the snow falling fast, the beat sinking ra.
pidly, wives shriekirg for husbands, sisters for
brothers and children Tor parents, and the ac-
cents of prayer best befitted the lips, the voice
Of strong hearted ruiiian was heard even above
the tumut, pouring voeys Of oatlis at the poor
agonlzed females around him, because OF the
emotion they exhibited. A gentleman was
hurrying up from the lower cabin, with difficult
ty escaping the pursuit o. the waters, and VIXEN
he reached the saloon he saw husband hasten
from state room beside him closely hugging
valise, whlle his wife, with an infant in her
arms, and another lnile child by her side,
cried to him ss hc rushed away, never turning
his head TO view their tate--'ilusband, husband,
IN Gods rsu,e, drop your valse and save your
wife and children" But he disappeared unteed-
ing. He probably preferred the miserable gold
in his vilise to his wife and children . gen
,eman, although he had apparently lost every
thing, except the clothing on his back did not
make an effort for himself until he had secured
the safety OF that family. We rejoice 70 be a.
ble to ofsctt so tiendIsh an exhibition OF selfish.
ness, with the eaergy Of disinteres,cd generosi-
ty."
One man, IN being seized by the hair, and his
head lifted out of the water, exclaimed, Save
her! save her let me 90 and save her !" On
looking farther, they found and succeeded in
rescuing the lady, who wns as il appeared, on.
~ an cquautance, WHO had been placed in his
charge. A gentleman Of Detroit, named ilue>t
having bag containing $1,000 in gold, jump.
ed overboard with the bag upon his arm, but
soon was obliged To lei i, 90. lie was only saw
ed by having fortunately grssPed a narrow strip
of board, as he jumped. Close after him came
another man, claiming the board, with curses
and imprecations As he struck out from the
boat he almost Immediately went down, grasp,
ing the possessor Of the board by the foot. He
however, released himself with great difficulty
and was saved.
Anthracite Coat sent to China.