The New York herald., 1846-04-19
STEAMER OREGON ASHORE (!

We received news yesterday morning that the
steamer Oregon had gone on to a rock at Hurl
Gate. We Immediately dispatched q reporter
to the place, who found her lying high and
dry, about one hundred 100 feet from what u
called Flood Rock. The manner Of her striking
was as follows-she was coming through the Gate at
aquarter before four yesterday morning. the second
pilot Mr.. Pendleton, being at the wheel. The first
pilot Capt. Howard, had gone below short time
before, when, an she was coming past Flood Rock
she got into current. which made her sheer %
much, that although four men were Immediately at
the Wheel il was found impossible to bring her up
before she struck. This was probably owing to her
great length and aexibilty. She first struck small
rock and jumped over it, and thensd on to the rock
or rather pile Of rocks, where she now lays. The
striking made but very little noise at the time a. the
boat seemed to slide on rather than strike suddenly
There were about 800 passengers on board, among
who m was a large proportion Of ladies'. Many Of
the passengers were not awakened at the time;
while others, being suddenly awakened, lcaped ont
of their berhs and burst through the panels Of their
state room doors, and made quick descent with
what they could catch Of their clothing.
Those ON board informed us, however, that
there was but very little confusion, and that
all on board seemed impressed with sense
of the necessity of keeping calm at such a
moment. The water, at the time of the boats strik
ing, was just covering the rocks it is only about
six inches the rocks at high tide, and
at low tide, the rock is about foot out Of water
Therefore, there was but little water made, particu-
ary as the break is not 30 much hole as bulglng
in, the timbers being sprung up. In about twenty
minutes after she struck, one of the ferry boats
IL IY...l- II S~~r anA
carried them on board the famous steamer Traveller,
which was passing about that time. The Traveller
brought the mails and passengers to the city.
The principal break in the Oregon is on the
starboard side, where she struck abaft the wheel,
nearly amid ships. This break is about SIX
feet in length, although her nmbers do not
appear to be broken. There are one or two other
small holes upon the larboard side. She is raised
amid ships, nearly #. above the bow, and above
the stern. Her boilers, and the weight Of her
machinery is aft the wheel, and tends to strain her
somewhat. The seams in the saloon are little
wrenched and the doors are cracked. There are
about five feet Of water under her stern She lies,
however, good portion of her length upon
the rocks, which we hope may prevent her loss
II, however, at low tide she still remains as firm as
now, it is proposed to spring back her planks
and stop the leak with mattresses, &C., and at
high tide to get her off. If this is done, it 10 es
timated that eight or ten thousand dollars will
place her in as good condition as she was be-
fore. She was only about half her width out Of
her course when she strack, and from our con-
versaton with those ON board and with the pilot,
we think that no blame can be attached to him.
RThe Oregon was a splendid boat. principally
owned by George Law, Esq She had the mails
and files of papers from the Unicorn, and had she
not met with this accident, would have reached
this city nearly an hour in advance of the other
bosss The steamer Neptune went up soon after
she struck and took of her furniture.
No lives lost