Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-05-24
Sad Accident on the Hudson.


Steamer Empire, of Troy, was run into by the
schooner, Noah Brown, at half past ten o'clock
last night, opposite TO this place, and was sunk
to the promenade deck. The steamer Rip Van
Wrinkle came TO her assistance, and rescued
three hundred of the passengers. 1t is mpossi.
ole TO give the correct number Of lives lost. A
small boat has just come ashore with the bodies
OF three ladies' from the wreck. (The Empire
was one oil the largest boats on the Hudson riv-
er, nearly new, and was fitted in most magnili.
cent style.)
Later.-Eeven bodies have been found. 1.-The
water has Just been pumped from the boiler
The body Of another young lady has been recoy-
cred.
Sill Later. The bodies Of the following nam.
ed persons, among Others have been found -
George l.. Buckland, and Mrs. Noble, OF Troy
sister to Gen. Ross, Of Essex. N. Y. A large
number is still missing
There is no insurance on the Empire.
1t appears that The boat left New York a, len
minutes after o'clock, (the Oregon having left
at g. and kept about mile and half asern OF
the latter ali the way up. The Rip Van Wrinkle
was behind The Empre. At about ten o'clock,
or between that and half past ten, the Empire
was nearly abreast of Newburgh, when large
schooner was seen bearing down upon them
Captain upper supposed The schooner would
bear up, aud the capuin of the schooner doubt
ess supposed the steamer would do the same
scream was heard on deck, and the next in
slant The schooner stuve in the bow. The boat
commenced filling instantly aud in five minutes
her forward deck was under water In about ten
minutes more, she sank SO as to leave only the
upper part OF her stlte rooms visible.
Her passengers numbered, according to the
best estimates, about $50.
The gentlemen below sprnng out of their
6erths. but the water was already in the cabin.
The usual CONSERVATION prevailed, and every
means was used to save life.
About seventy or eighty OF the passengers got
on board the schooner, which was loaded with
lumber. Others, it was impossible to say how
many, among them three ladies', were seen to
spring overheard, and lumber was thrown to
them from the schooner. Loud shreks continu-
ed to be heard at Ncwburgh, nearly mile dts
lan', and boats were dispatched to the wreck
Inc KIP Van Winkle now came alongside, be-
tween the schooner and the Empire, and took
oil large numbers Of the passengers. Others
we're taken from the schooner and picked up in
the river by isherlnen's boats, and conveyed TO
Newburgh.
Probably within twenty minutes of the coils.
ION the whole was over and the boat had gone
down with number of her unfortunate passen-
gers.
In the confusion of the night, and in conse-
qnencc OF the scattering of the passengers it
was Impossible to make ont list Of the saved,
aud compare ii with the whole number on board.
1t ~ reported that about 30 were lost in all.
The passengers escaped with very little and
some with no clothing whatever, except their
night clothes. All the baggage and freight
went down with Il boat. One gentleman of
our acquaintance escaped with his little boy
wrapped in blanket, but otherwise destitute of
clothes.
Immediately after the boat went down, so that
the state room deck was the surface of the
water, this deck was scut,led, and two ladies' Ia
ken out from the ladies' saloon underneath, near
~ exhausted. The voice Of third was heard,
but she could not be found, and was lost.
a Coroners Jury at Ne sburgh are occupied
IN investigating the circumstances of this sad
disaster We are happy to be able to add, that
Capt. Topper and the officers of the Empire be-
haVed with the greatest kindness, and paid eve.
ry attention that could be asked, to the passen-
gers. The citizens of Newburgh were equally
KIND. The passengers who reached the shore
nearly naked, and wet and cold, were warned
and clothed and cared for Instantly One gen.
tleman on the dock took off his shoes and gave
them 10 lady who was barefoot, while all un,-
ted IN similar attention.
! The Empire lies ut Dunning's Poct, (nor,h Of
the Mattewan creek, on the Flshkil shore, u.
thought that the baggage could be got out In
the course OF the afternoon by scultling the bag
gage room.
1t appears to US probable from the circumstan-
ces aud the information obtained by converse
ton with large number OF passengers, that not
many were lost IN proportion to the number OF
passengers. But The dead may never be found
and 1t may be impossible to tell the exact NUN.
Der who have persisted, until the rivers and sea
give up tho dead that are IN them.
| The boat will be raised without much Difficult.
~. She was apparently stove in at the bows in
the wash ioou. The other parts of her remain
uninjured.
New YoRK, Sunday, May 20, D
Z l-2 o'clock, p NJ.
There have been no more cases of cholera in
this CITY.
Accounts from Newburgh state that the steam.
er Empire is afoat. Fourteen bodies, mostly fe-
males, arc said TO have been found IN one of the
cabins.
1t is reported from Washington that Capt
Wilkes, of the late exploring expedition, will
command one of The vessels to be sent in search
of Capt Franklin.
Dispatches TO the War Department, from Cal
ifornla, state that the people had organized q
Government for themselves, and had adopted the
Wlmot Provso as fundamental article.
1t is reported that Mr.. Crawford recommends
to President Taylor to organize strong militia.
nv force in California, of volunteers, to sustain
Gov Smith, until Congress shall act for the Ter.
rtory.
CALIFORNIA,