Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-05-28
From the New York Mirror, May IS.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT on THE NORTH


II.
information has been received this morning Of 4
frghtful accident that occurred about ten ocloc
night opposite Newburg, by collision between the
steamer Empire and heavily laden schooner cansin
we regret to learna melancholy loss of life Tho fn
particulars are OF course not yet fnown but the fo
lowing has been gathered from reliable sources.
The Empire left here last evening at her usual hour
O'Clock, Tor Albany, with large number of pas
sengers; and, when opposite Newburg the pilot dis
covered the schooner Noah Brown bearing down III
river at rapid rate, having heavy deck-load Of
lumber 1t was evident that the lookout on board
the schooner did not observe the close proximity of the
steamers 50 the engine stopped, and tie pilot
hailed her. calling to the helm to lu luti but no at
tehtlon was paid to it.
The engine then reversed and an effort made 70
get out of the way but before stern way was made the
schooner struck her with tremendous crash her how
spirit entering the forward cabin lust under the lar
board guards, and her bow completely stove in the
side The water Immediately poured into the cabin.
AMI the passengers started from their berths in the
greatest alarm ard CONSERVATION, and rushed to the
stars to gain the deck, tumbling over and trampIng
down each other in their hurry to escape 1t is feared
that some IN the forward cabin were overwhelmed by
the water and drowned although they all appeared to
escape. In the ladies' cabin, the alarm and confusion
was trghtful, when it became known that the boat
was slnking-the screams of the females minclno
with the mournfu tong of the bell are described a
being fearful in the extreme
Axes were used and holes cut in the ladies' cabin.
and many were thus hberated--one it Is rumored was
killed by blow the head with an axe but it is not
confirmed. The passengers then assembled on the
promenade deck, and it evident that the boat was
gradually settling, and dropping down the river with
the tide As the water reached the furnace too sew
era explosions occurred forcing out the PANEL work
IN the deck and adding to the alarm of those on
board
The screams of the females, and the tolng of the
bell, gave the first lntimaton of the accident to the
persons at Newburg and several small boats immed-
ately put out to render all the assistance possible
In short tine, however the Rip Van Wrinkle came up
and ranged alongside and the passengers were spec
dyrescued. The Empire also taken in tow and
conveyed to the flats, where she lies; the stern
being aground, and the bow ioating-the promenade
deck level with the water.
1t is impossible to tell at present, how many lives
have been lost. 1t is reported that several persons
jumped overheard in their fright and probably some
perlshed, though grea. many We're rescued BY
the persons in the small boats. The bodies of two
women and little girl have been recovered--one was
supposed to be that of Mrs Noble who was known to
De on board. The mother it is supposed OF the Girl
was seen rushing frantcay about the deck in her
night clothes having baby at her breast, calling up
on her child and was finally almost dragged aboard
the Zip Van Wrinkle and landed at Newburg-
lhere were about bO passengers on board but list
was taken Of those saved.-None of them saved more
than they CHANGED to nave at the time of the ac-
cident.
The boat can be recovered without difficulty, and the
damage supposed to be comparatively triling. The
accident clearly the result Of cupable negligence on
the part OF those on board the schooner and they will
doubtless be held to strict accountability for the fear
tul consequences that ensued
From the New York Sun.
The steamer Empire, Capt. W. w. Upper, left her
dock in this city on Thursday evening" at o'clock for
Albany having on board large number of passengers
among whom were many ladies' At about ten o clock
when opposite Newburg the pilot Mr. Levi Smith dis
covered the schooner Noah Brown with a heavy deck
load of lumber bearing down rapid rate through
the channel apparently not discovering the proximity
Of the steamer.
lie Immediately stopped the engine and went for
ward to hail her. Although his voice crying to the
man at the wheel If the schooner to "Luff Lu p,was
heard in the cabnt appears that him for whom it was
intended did nor hear it.
The engines were then reversed and while the
steamer was stl in the water or making stern way
the schooner upon her with tremendous crash.
Inc bowsprit entered the forward cabin Just under
the arbeard guards and so heavily the schooner
loaded that she not brought up till her very bow
had also entered the Empires side.
The schooner was beating down the river with a |
stiff breeze when the collision occurred the wind being
from the South South by East and she on the track
from the East to the West shore of the river She was
owned by Mr.. Synder of Troy, coal dealer
The ptt of the Empire measured the distance with
his eye, and found it doubtful if he could Get bv the
bow OF the schooner and for that reason afforded her
every opportunity to come into the wind while he
could pass, or 90 upon the other tack
The awful scenes which followed cannot be de- !
scrlbed Most of the passengers had retired for the
night, and were sleeping in their berths.
Correspondence of the NY. Expressl
LATEST FROM THE STEAMER EMPIRE.
NEwBURC May l0th-lO p NJ
Seven bodies have been found on the wreck four of
which have been identified taken from the upper
her OF berths in the ladies' saloon. The lower berths
and gentlemens cabin supposed to contain % ar
81 OF the unfortunate passengers. A coroner's in
quest sat here three Of the bodies Another sits
tomorrow at Fishkill landing
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
Further intelligence induces US to hope that fewer
ves were lost than at first anticipated Up to
late hour on Friday night only seven bodies were d
covered and only three of these identified num-
Der, however still missing and among these are
Cyrus T. Darius Della Avery, of Stonincton, CT;
Margaret Macdonell, from Scotland a child Of George
auckland seven years old, whose brother was found
drowned, and two children of Mrs HAYES who had
Just arrived from Ireand their mother feels assured
that they are lost. Her two eldest children are
saved Also, an infant child of Lafayette Smith, one
year old AS the blow was sudden one and escapes
were made IN various ways, it is possible that some of
these persons may yet be discovered
O the number board the accounts are as much CON
fused as ever. Some estimate the number at $50 and
others at 260 or thereabouts-The number which cot
on board the hip Van Wrinkle is put down at from IS
to l3O. A number got on board the Noah Brown and
as many,it is stated, as IS persons in all. number
were picked up on the river.
Moves Laid testiaes that the following persons are
Ladd Darius Ladd, Nathan s. Ladd.
Elias W. Ladd, Adelia Avery and Cecilia Gal