Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-06-01
Terrible Disaster on the Hudson River.


The steamer Empire, while on her upward
trip, Thursday night, and when opposite New
burgh, about 10 o'clock, was run into by the
schooner Noah Brown, which caused her to sink
within FIVE minutes after. From the most &C.
curaIe reports we could gather, it appears that
the Empire was going up on flood tide, and
the schooner was beating down the river. The
captain Of the steamer, seeing the schooner ap'
preaching, let his beat off the westward, but the
danger increasing, the engine was reversed, and
an effort made to back the boat, during all which
time the lights were up, and the officers Of the
schooner warned TO 60 about. To the warn
ings they paid no attention, and the bowsprit ol
the schooner entered the hull Of the steamer
near the forward gangway, and within twelve in
ches Of the water. The schooner being heaVi-
y laden with lumber, the great weight caused
the steamer to careen, and in the shortest possi-
BILE time it was announced that she was in sink
ing condition.
In an instant the greatest CONSERVATION pre-
vailed 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 steamer Rip Van Win
kle was near by, at the time, and Immediately
went 10 the aid Of the passengers, taking off all
who we're on deck. In the ladies' saloon were
several, who had retired, among whom an ell
derly lady, young lady and a little girl were
drowned. Another lady was released from her
perlous condition by cutting hole through the
deck, and an effort made 10 save another, who
drowned before the necessary aid could be rem
dered. There were many small boats from
Newburgh, by which those who jumped over
board were saved. The mother of the little girl
had with her young child, and her shrieks for
help iorthe lost one are said to have thrilled eV-
cry heart on board, even in that moment of gen.
eral danger, The mother was landed at New
burgh. The elderly lady is supposed to be q
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 WinkIe for some distance, after which
she drlted about mile up the river, where she
still remains, her stern resting upon bar
There was heavy freight of furniture and mer.
chandze on board, all Of which is destroyed by
the water, or foated off up the river. One o.
the officers, as soon as she was fast on the bar
got upon piano which was floating in the la
dies saloon, and made thorough search with
out being able to find any more bodies. The
impression of those on board at the time, is
that the three mentioned, are the only ones who
lost their lives. Very few of the passengers
had retired at the time Of the collision, or tht
result would have been fearful. Several of tht
passengers returned to this city by the steamer
Troy, which also aided in rescuing the passen
gers. The collision is said to have been caus
ed by the gross carelessness of those on boarc
the schooner. She belonged at Troy and il
owned by Mr.. Snyder.
The Empire will be towed to this city to b.
raised. The damage done 10 the boat and fur
niture is estimated at about 3 $1,000, upon whicI
there is no insurance. Atpresent it isimpossb
to tell who were the passengers on board, tn
list being IN the captains office and now unde
water The only damage sustained by tn
schooner was the loss of her bowsprit.
Capt Hulse, Of the steamer Hendrick Hudson
left Newburgh at twelve o'clock yesterday. H
saw Capt. TupPer Of the Empire, but no furth
er particulars were Obtained.-N Y. Herald.