The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-16
The COlllsl0n between the Steamers Ore0c
and Knick erbOckcr.


An article having appeared in the Boston dtlas Of the
l2th inst, headed Collision between the steamboats,
Oregon and Knickcrbocker" and purportng to be the
of the latter boat the 10th inst for the purpose Of
expressing opinions and enquring into the facts relative
to the collision" ii has seemed due to the public to the
owners Of the Oregon and to myself that plain state
men Of the facts In the should be presented that
the public may have the of judging far
charges made by the committee sustained.
The steamer Oregon left her dock at Pier No North
River, at r. NJ, on the 10th instant-the Knick,S-
booker starting from the opposite side Of the pier at tho
same hour. After leaving the dock. stopped our
CINE to allow the X to pass on ahead of us, she then
being on our arboard bow and In way rounding the
Battery to the East River After passing into the East
River the Oregon having taken the inside passage he
can be turned in less compass than can the K and
being ahead the X along side passed our
starboard side, and continued leaving until opposite
the ship yards She was then three four times her
length ahead Of us. After that began to gain
her the Oregon being much the faster boat and her
passing ahead Of having been in consequence OF our
low head Of steam at the time of starting We con-
tinued gain the X until we reached the north end
of Blackwen's Island. We then about to lap on
to her then requested Capt. Howard, the pilot VINO
has had many experience in that capacity TO pass
the Knickerbocker to the ewsrd the Long Island
sde thereby giving the of the entire passage
to the H. and allowing her to choose her own course
through the gate The wind at the time was quite
fresh from the northwcst-it was high water ana
Flood Rock and the Long Island shore the X. about
midway of tho PASSAGE consequently We were brought
a When within a short distance of Hactts Point TO
our astonshmcn the X kept hard off across our lar
board bow We rang our engine bell to shut OF the
steam from the engine boat being at the time
near to the Point that 1t was impossible to alter her
course without running on to 1t. AS 1t was 1t is
sincere conviction that the Oregon did not clear the
Point one half her width.
The posit on in which We placed rendered the
collision unavoidable the part of the Oregon while the
Knckcrbocker having as have before stated the mid
die of the passage and ample room might easily
IL seems to us, have kept clear Of u.s.
Indeed from consideration Of the position Of the two
and of the pursued by the Knickerbookr
forced to the conviction that their design
either the Oregon ashore to render a collision
Of the two boats inevitable. After passing the Point
far enough TO clear IT, backed the boat and cleared
ourselves from the X, and passing along on tho
arboard side, took line from her to tow her out Of
the Gate she having become disabled by the breaking
of steering gear But she had previously dropped
her anchor at signal from Capt Van Felt let 20 the
line we could be Of no service to her after which
we proceeded on way to Stonngton.
s. THAYER, Commander steamer Oregon.
JOHN Howard, LIST Pilot.
Isaac PENpLEroN, I'D Pilot