The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-19
TERRIBLE DISASTER
HU N o n RIVER.
Sinking of the Steamer Empire,
SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE.
&c. &c, &c.

The steamer Empire while on her upward trip Thurs-
day Aght and when opposite Newburg about 10 O'Clock
was run into by the schooner Noah Brown which
caused her to sink within Ave minutes after From the
most accurate reports could gather appears that
the Empire going up on a flood tide, aud tho
schooner was beating down the river. The captain of
the steamer seeing the schooner approaching let his
boat fall of to the westward but the danger increas
ing the engine was reversed, and an effort made to
back the boat during all which time the lights
up and the officers Of the schooner warned 20 about
To the warnings they paid attention. aud the bow
spirit of the schooner entered the hull of the
near the forward gangway, and within twelve inches
of the water The schooner being heavily laden with
lumber the great weight caused the steamer to
and in the shortest possible time 1t was announced
that she was in sinking condition.
In an instant the greatest CONSERVATION prevailed
among the two hundred passengers on board many Of
whom jumped into the river and of which number it
Is not yet known how many were saved. The steam
er Rip Van Wrinkle by, at the time, and
imm went to the aid Of the passengers taking
of all who deck. In the ladies saloon
veral who had retired among whom an elderly lady a
young lady, and little girl, were drowned. Another
lady was released from her perilous condition by out
ting hole through the deck, and an effort made to
save another who drowned before the sssary aid
Newburg by which those who jumped overheard were
picked up The mother of fine little girl had with her
young child and her shreks for help for the
are said to have thrilled every heart board in
that moment of general danger. The mother land
cd at Newburgh. The elderly lady is supposed to be a
Mrs. Noble and the young lady an emigrant
AS soon as the passengers were rescued from the
wreck, the steamer was taken in tow by the Rip Van
Wrinkle for some distance, after which she drifted
about mile up the river, where she still remains her
stern resting upon bar. There heavy freight
of furniture and merchandise board all of which is
destroyed by the water hoaed off up the river One
of the officers, she fast the bar got
upon piano which floating in the ladies' saloon,
and made thorough search, without being able to
find any bodies The impression of those board
the time u.s. that the three mentioned the only
who lost their lives Very few of the passengers
had retired at the time Of the collision, the result
would have been fearful Several fthe passengers
turned to this city by the steamer Troy, which also
aided In rcscuing the passengers The collision is said
to have been caused by the gross careesness Of those
on board the schooner She belonged at Troy, and Is
owned by a Mr.. Snyder
The Empire will be towed to this city to be raised
Tho damage done to the boat and furniture Is estima
ted at about SIS 600, upon which there insu
At present it is impossible to tell who the
passengers board the list being in the captain
office, and under water. The only damage sus-
tanned by the schooner the loss Of her bowsprit
Capt Hulse, of the steamer Hendrick Hudson left
Newburg ut twelve o'clock yesterday He saw Capt
Upper of the Empire but further particulars
obtained other than those the Geographic dispatches
below