The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-22
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
From the Trav yVhiu Nav 10

The circum stances, as we gather them from the
most reliable source, are these While nearly opposite
Newburg schooner, which proved to be the Noah
Brown, was discovered ahead, the starboard side
The pilot inquired How is that standing East
astandng to East Taking another observation, the
pilot said No she Is standing right for and will
sink as and then called out Go about 80, Jour times
lowed.
Capt Upper immed ately appeared, and said, " We
will sink get beard the vessel possible.
The gentleman who observed all this then immediately
went to the ladies' cabin seized his daughter and
escaped to the hurricane deck These circumstances
he says, occurred in the space of four minutes So
sudden was the copcussion that no opportunity was
clerk barely escaped with the cash previously taken.
The passenger list was not saved.
We have received from Col. A. II. Pierce Of this
city the following statement, which gives good lea
OF the sad occurrence
Troy, May IS, 1910.
Dear Sir-Happening to be one (of say two hundred
and fifty souls composing the passengers of the ill.,
fated steamboat Empire, hand you short statement
Of incidents connected with the accident that occurred
under my own observation.
The night starlight, although not brilliant.
Some little time before opened upon Newburg,
Bay, | made propositions to retire, sharing state
room myself with our friend General D. who had re-
tired to his berth sat conversipg with him when
the pilots gong was struck to go slow-to stop and
back in quick succession accompanied by loud calling
from the pilot house which alarmed and on leaving
the state-room | heard tremendous crash and felt
the boat careen; running down to the main deck.
found people running about in the utmost confusion
The engineer, Mir. King, like faithful guardian was
cool to all appearances as if simply about to land at
this port opened the valves and allowed the steam to
escape freely from both boilers, and thus making all
things so far as this was concerned safe.
then felt that the b. at sinking. and went i'm
madately forward when the cause Of disaster
apparent.
i then passed aft to the door of the ladies' c,bin
begging my friends to be cool and assist each
other and allow none to jump overheard all could be
saved on the schooner; passed up the saloon and
the promenade deck, and hero made an effort to con-
information
blowing of steam, ringing Of bells and the settling OF
the boat. had created such CONSERVATION and con
fusion that but little could be made understood. But
number Of passengers including several ladies'
induced to make their way over the upper works and
side OF the boat forward to the schooner where they
were in comparative safety.
The officers Of the Empire rendered every assistance
In freeing the vessel and assisting passengers, &c.
TO the schooner The scene, you will readily ina
gine was distressing and exciting in the exreme and
as the steamboat Rip Van Wrinkle rounding to APP
preach the Impotence Of numbers to get on board
OF her became great, that prociptated them
selves into the water and we're picked up by small
boats; and it feared some In that manner lost their
mVes IL was with no little difficulty the Rip Van
Wrinkle got along side and made fast to the Empires
nut "nen done, the passengers remaining the Em-
pure, anu those on the schooner quickly removed
and provided with every comfort hand on board the
Rip Van Wrinkle The Empire settled in the water
nearly to the promenade deck, which was cut and
broken up in several places Immediately over tho
ladies' cabin, from which IN elderly lady taken
alive.
After being cut opcn--the air cscapng-the remain
ing space became quickly filled with water and we
were reluctantly obliged to give further efforts
save any who might be confined in the ladies cabin
Several small boats having come of from Newburg,
and taken number of passengers to that place. num-
bers Of friends and relatives became separated
great anxiety the part of some, aud most uncon.
troabe demonstrations Of grief and desp Others
so that was decided by the officers of the boat after
towing she wreck Of the Empire-in which they
assisted by the Hudson-to Fshk Flats, to round to
at Newburg, and give opportunity to look up lost
friends, and land those who required more quiet
and care than could be furnished on board crowded
boat.
Our readers are referred to the telegraphic head
for the latest report from the wreck