The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-04-21
Painful Steamboat Disaster,


nirlr was dark and stormy, and the boat in motion
at the rate Of Is miles per hour. correspondent
who was passenger, gives the following account Of
the terrible scene through the columns oGthe Albany
Evening Journal
MANSION House, Albany April
At the time the boat struck was sitting near the
Captains office, the main deck. Great confusion
of course at ensued passengers rushing one
way and another TO inquire the e,Iadles scream
ing, Sc when Capt Squires came aft, near to where
most Of the passengers were congregaed, and sh'd'
'Ladies and gentlemen, be quiet, all IS safe" This
word was Immediately passed about the boat,and our
fears had become somewhat, allayed, when the Cap
tain again appeared in the crowd, holding signal
lamp over his head, and calling upon all to go for
ward A general rush was then made forward, in
which forced along! but when | got within
reach of the door which opened out on to the forward
deck, (about 100, perhaps, having passed lhroughO
cry came from forward Of Go back, go back"
We were then forced back again towards the CEN
tire Of the boat and passed the stairway leading
up from the lower cabn saw the water running rap
idly aft floating the furniture past the stairway. the
cabin ut that pon, being nearly full then dlscov-
cred that the ladies' saloon aft filling and the
stern sinking At this moment cry OF fire went
through the vessel, and the smoke, sparks aud coal
dust rushed Up from the ERE places The water by
this time had reached TO where stood, and was fast
rising around my feet Up this time we had no
knowledge of the nature Of the calamity, nor
had any intimation been given in my hearing that we
were aground, thai we were near to any ard; bat
the contrary the word was several times passed
/ around that we had run on to a raft. Being thus
| hemmei in-drven back by the crowd from before,
prevented from going aft by the water and fire, and
there being stairway or other passage 10 the upper
deck within this space and those around me en-
deavored to compose ourselves for death, which we
believed inevitably and speedily approaching when
the crowd in which ! stood moved again forward and
passed out to The forward deck and was car
ried along up steep decyiiy, which supposed, it
being very dark, was gang plank leading up on to
the vessel, or whatever else had run into, until !
( came to get hold Of the work cordage
! which surrounded the bow; it then occurred
to me that the boat was broken in two. then
those forward Of the howsprt,
! throwing themselves over this buwurk and upon
| following their example found myself upon the
/ ground This was the first intnaton received that
we aground. On examining by day light, this
island on which struck proved to re a rock,
cred partly with grass about 80 by 80 fee, in size,
and 10 or 5 feet above the water
The boat is broken little forward Of the wheels,
tho forward part running up 10 the island al an
angle Of IS degrees. Shortly after tumbed over,
Ga fall of about fcet) n ladder brought, and
in all think about leo PERSONS escaped that way.
The Rochester and Express, which were known TO
he close behind in the channel, and
most Of the passengers were supposed to have gone
on board of them, by aid Of boats from Athens and
Hudson upon either side Of u.s. After remaining on
the island until half pas, y, finally got Off on the
Athens shore, where remained until last evening.
Upon going on board Of the John Mason last even
ing, was informed that the Coroners jury had just
returned verdict either Acquiring the pilot Of or
not charging him with blame This verdict has not
been satisfactory TO any Of the passengers with
whom have conversed. Indeed the question of neg
ligonce seems to me to lie in very small compass
for il were dark TO prevent the pilot from
ing, he should have stopped while the other hand
if he could see, he was bound TO know better than
to leave straight, fair channel "A of a mile wide
and run his boat upon well known island at an an
gle with the channel of 20 % degrees and point
ing almost into the village of Athens.
If it Is said that he had just come up from supper,
the above remark will apply 10 the person left in
charge, for such night that, (f ever) none but
persons of known skill and prudence should be at the
wheel Great praise is due to Mr. J. p. Hinsdae, OF
of New York, who, with the aid of small board
supported Miss Plat, of Detroit, for long time in
the water, until they picked up and taken a.
shore in a small boat, quite helpless. Mr. J. Hicks
of Detroit, Chandler Root, Of Coopersown and o.
born Spencer, of Albany, also deserve honorable
mention. MIR lInsdae was obliged to cast from hi:
arm satchel, which contained 81 500 in gold be-
j, longing to Miss Plat, which lost.
= From careful examination Of the above named
. persons and others who were in the water, (each o.
whom left different parts Of the boa) who state tina
!, number Of persons were around them crying TO
help, saying they could not swim, sc. am of opin
, ion that no less than 20, and probably 40 lives wer
il lost No search had yet been made in the river, no
had that part Of the boat where the ladies' woul,
: most likely be found, been reached when left las
evening-the Ladies' Saloon being entirely submerg
ed.
have yet heard blame attached to Captain
squires, but would DO glad to know who it was VIII