The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-31

viyors we're removed from the burning boat 30 vhiel
they cluDg There small boat belonging /,
the Henri Clay mixed in this scene, to the best o
my knowledge and belief My means for kOowinl
il there had been, i have stated. The remark IN.
fcmetimes been made that human life Is ''trfec
Win by men of steamboats, and railroads. Bot lei
no say this Of the owners officers of the
Henry Clay. They have not trihed with the lives
Of their fellow men. They nave taken them wan
tony ard vickedly; and thus to take human life il
not q 'trihe
Isaae Day ton, of Now York, makes the following
fiatfment--
/ eas 10 come down to this city from Hudson, on
Wedi esday morning, and concluded TO take the day
boat FOR tho passage. When went on to the dock
at Hudson. both boats, the Henry Clay aud the
Armenia, were in sight, but the Henry Clay only,
was IN the Hudson. eastery channel Of the river.
the Armenia having taken the Athens, or westerly
channel OF the river which at this place is divided
INTO Two channels by large fat. or course the
Armenia could not make the Hudson landing. This
beng the case, It may be properly stated here the
officers of the Henry Clay required the Hudson
passengers to pay higher fare than the whole
advertised fare from Albany to New York
When we left Hudson the Armenia was a little
ahead Of us in the Athens channel, on the opposite
side of the river; when out into the
channel, below the Flats, the Armenia perhaps
two three lengths ahead; mt Catskill both
boats made the landing, the Armenia being ahead
and landing frst Immediately after leaving Cat
skill dock, the Armenia being then about three
quarters Of mile ahead, it was evident, from the
shaking OF the boat, the more rapid action Of the
engine, and the violent hummng noise caused by
the blowers, that our speed was greatly the in
crease, and that there was determination, on the
part Of those IN command, to pass tho Armenia;
we gradually approached her, and whom about five
fix miles above Kingston Point we were sailing
side and side with her. the Armenia being on the
inside, or towards TIE westerly shore of tho river
The purpose of our pilot evidently TO force the
Armenia SO far towards The westerly shore ~ to
drive her on the fats which here line the channel
or compel her 10 stop and allow to go ahead and
make the landing hrst he accordingly stecrod
| boat, whose bow was now q few feet in advance
Of that of the Armenia, in direction across
| that in which the Armenia must travel, or 60
! aground ubltss she stopped the consequence
was, tb al the two boats came i'll contact. At thus
moment person, who understood Off ser
| OF the boat came en- the promenade deck where |,
| with great many passengers was standing, and
requested oil to over on the iarboard side OF the
| boat The object and effect OF this To
raise the etarboaId guard OF the Henry Clay, whoh
| was noxtt the Armenia above the larbonrd guard
| Of The Armenia The result was, that our tenders
went gaii 81 the atboaid side OF the Armen and
bent or stove in portion OF her woodwork just for
ward Of her wheel-bouse. The manmnvre answered
its purpose, and the Armenia was compelled to stop
her engine, and We shot ahead ami made tho
kipgston landing FIRST There numerous ro-
monstanees addressed by the passengers particular
ly the ladies', to The person, officer, who had
cOneon the promenade deok as have stated, lie
treated these With Indifference, and, with something
Of dersion as thought, insisted that there
days adventures. After leaving Kingston landing
| we gradually left the Armenia. IL 10 proper to
| state that while were proceeding, as above
| stated, to overtake the Armenia before reaching
| Kingston, distinctly noticed the smell of smoke
issuing from the pegbborbood Of the furnaces which
| / then thought and believe stated to some ono
atnndipg near was caused by the boat being on fire.
II war pre- cisely the smell OF smoke which pre-
ceded the Last fatal calamity At about o'clock, was
standing the labCard guard, in the after part Of
| the boat, in conversation with A. Crist, Esq, AMI
| another gentleman. We had just passed FOnthil,
| ard tho three were speaking OF that place. when
| woman came out on the guard holding child in
| each arm. exclaimng that the boat was on fire.
| The smell Of smoke had before noticed, was now
very distinct and unmistakabe; but, rs in tho pro-
! vous instance il had disappeared without any ap-
| parent danger for the moment. believed that no
| evil consequences would now follow. The ladies
| came rushing upon the guard from the saloon, and
| | advised many were within my hearing
not to be alarmed or excited stated that II there
| was any danger Of the boats burning, it was 40
easy to her ashore, and apparently so easy
to obtain assistance from the shore, thai did not
| think there was any great danger and that at any
| rate unnecessary alarm or excitement only
increased the danger, whntever it might be.
person presently made his appearance who shouted
every body to 20 aft, and he was Obeyed by many
if not ALL IA quickly as l could leaped through
| window into the ladies' saloon. The gangways
| forward were filed with smoke and dar1-red,
smoky fame, and ! judge that it was impossible,
| even if had intended to have made my way
| forward. This could not have been more than
| three or four minutes from the first alarm which
| heard. ! went across the ladies' saloon, which
| was vacant, to the starboard guard and went
that quarter. In very short time after this the
| boat was got around and headed for the easterly
shore. The wind. which blowing very fresh
from the southwark as we went in direction cross
| ing the river, blew the flames and smoke athw Art
| and away from the boat, and had great confidence
| that when reached the shore those who were
tho after part Of the boat could and would readily
| and safely be taken off in small boats. From the
| time rounded toward the shore until reached
| it, would say was some five or six minutes. We
| were, therefore, ashore in oight nine minutes
| after the first alarm was brought aft. BY this
time the fire had reached the ladies' saloon,
| and the smoke and sparks were flying in every
| direction through and out of the windows. The
misery and terror were intense and agonizing, but
| this part of the scene. Many jumped overheard
| Immediately after che grounded clambcrcd on
to the promenade deck and threw overheard rs
! many Of the stools ms could reach. I then came
down upon the etarboard guard and looked in every
direction to see whether assistance approaching
None was to be discovered, and, the beat where
stood was now becoming powerful, determined
to throw myself overheard. l climbed over the
rail, and intended to get hold Of two Of the stools
| which had thrown into the water. This missed,
| and not being swimmer, Immediately found my
way to the bottom judged that the depth there
was some fifteen feet l, Of course, again came to
the surface, but 1t is not my purpose TO detail my
adventures or my struggles in the water. The great
cause Of the drowning of tosc who lost their lives
In tDat way was the heavy sea which was running
at the time, caused by the high southerly wind
which wos blowing. 1t was about the beginning of
the ebb, and as / understand it, the wind and tide
being contrary to each other the wavss are heavier
At every flaw Of wind the waves would dash
against the steamboat rs sbe lay broadside to, and
then rccedc from her side in seemingly solid mass,
almost every time carrying of with them some one
who was clpging to the underside of the guard for
safety Besides the boards, sottees, stools, 60,
which were floating in the water, wore rendered al
most entirely useless by the difficulty Of holding on
to them in the heavy swell which was rolling At
one time, while was holding on to the tillcr chain
| under the guard, ] am satisfied that there we're
in the peighborhood Of forty persons clingpg
| to the same or other similar supports II
there was boat attached to the Henry Clay,
| no use whatever was made Of it, and it must have
been burned up with the steamer herself The first
boat which approached the wreck did not take off
] single person. She was a white boat With green