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

lover that when her bows 6rst directed Tow ard
\ theshore wisdom would have been shown on
4 TIE part Of her officers. There no blowing of
OF stram on the part of the Armenia from the time
she iet Ncwburg the contrary, the reason given
blower.
This added greatly TO tbs fear OF the ladies, five
OF WON were under my chs rge who sufficient
~ terlhed ny the burning vessel Tho statements
maze IN number OF the morning papers that no
thing was done on the part If the officers Of the
Armenia ~ NOT true Our only bont proceeded to
the burning wreck as we ncared the s,ene,
and contributed as much anything to snecor
those hanging on to the rnader and chains. We re-
NAMED for an hour aud more Mt the nearest dock
Most OF the gentlemen went ashore and did all in
their power to assist. a punber Of tho wounded
and others returned with us professional gen-
tleman with myself attended to the wants Of the
sufferers, in which were assisted by others, and
every thing was dome boa,d the Armenia that hui
manity could dictate If nm obque direction had
been given to the Henry Clay on approaching the
shore, il would have lcssened doubt the less Of
life.
Subjoined is the statement of the correspondent Of
another journal, signing himselfJ. G. ST.
u seems the terrible loss of life by the burning o.
the Griffith on Lake Erie last year, oocasioned by
the temporary absence of the pilot from the wheel,
whereby the vessel burned 70 the waters edge be-
lore she could be run ashore bad not mado any inn
preston on the plot Of tho i'll fated steamer Henry
Clay. Instead Of putting the boat around towards
the landing at foukers, or running her brondside
on the Shore with lines ready fore and aft to fasten
to trees, whereby every life coni have been saved,
ns well as NIL baggage he left his post, 20 find ont
the cause Of the alarm, losing The most valuable
time to the lives Of those entrusted TO bis care
as officer Of The steamer Woerc were the life
rroservera where the life boats to run lines 10
the shore? Undoubtedly, nowhere
STATEMENT OF NIX HARRIS, PASSENGER
NEW IoHK, July %, 1852.
desire was expressed mud think ro3olutio
to that effect adopted, at the meeting Of the pas
sengors snved from the Inflated steamer Henr
Clay, held at the Astor House, this morning, that
eDch passenger should write statement Of what
came under his observation during tho passage, and
mt the time or the terrible daster resulting in the
loss OF 50 many lives
took passage tns q her wish an invalid friend on
board the Henry Clay. rneaday the 23th inst,
and soon after tteppug on boatd, We started, fol-
lowed by the Armenia We proceeded along very
pleasantly, in advance Of he Armenia, and landed
~ Coxsaoke. From thlt landing 70 STORED for
Hudson and VIZ neared the landing. 7 locked
asterntor the Armenia. say her On the other side
OF The river, going down the Athens channel, a
strap liter course by winch saved mile and over
Of distance, and cua bed her Ia make the laadng Mt
Catskill ahead Of The Heng Clay W. waited at
the latter place for the Armenia 10 make her land
and get out OF the way, after whc the Henry Clay
came along side OF the dock. When we started
again, supposed, from what had heard of tho
SPEED of the Henry Clay. TINT wo would overtake
the Armenia before reaching Br,.toi the uexs land
ing place; but far a3 could judge, we gained
VI "
she stopped at Bristol landing, the Horny Clay
passing by that place wi bout stopping. Tho
Armenia got under weigh before we came mp, and,
as they saw ne were going ahead, she was steared
directly Tor the "sucti0n, IA IL ~ termed, OF the
Henry Clay, which she succeeded in reaching.
She chung on to the suction of the Henry Clay,
and ran together for some distance side by side,
ard hut little distance apart. At length, by sheer
ofthe Henry Clay, the bow of tho Armenia was
brought into the action of the quick water Of the
Henry Clay's wheels, and this caused the forward
guard Of the Armenia to come i'll contact with the
after quarter ofhe Henry Clay. The Armenia then
slackencd her speed, and dropped astern. ampar-
ticnar in detailing this affair just ms Viewed 1t at
the time; for when went nti from the forward deck,
where had been standing, found much excitement
prevailing and have since heard statements respect
ing it which do not agree with my view OF tho
affair. This was the only part of che passage where
there appeared to be anything like racing on the
part Of the Henry Clay. Two such boats, going
along side by side, very nearly together, doubtless
appeared dangerous and f,ghtful to many passen-
gers; but must say that, from the very position Of
the boats-side by side, and near together-I
knew there con,d be serious collision, for boats
cannot run sideways, and the only danger | appre-
h, nded was the breaking Of the side houses or join
ers work, by the boat having the higher guard
riding on the guard of the other.
When the Armenia dropped astern, we gained
gradually on her the rest of the way. l thought
from the appearances of matters now, that those
having charge of the ArmcDis had given mp the
ontest, and wero coming ut their ordinary rate of
speed The excitement among the passengers on
the Henry Clay seemed fast lssing away, and mat
tors were going on pleasantly again, withous q
thought 80 far rs was concerned, about the Arme-
nia. From all that saw and heard, am bound 10
candor to state my IMPRESSION that each boat, from
the the time VIC passed Kingston, until we reached
the place where the terrible disaster occurred-a
distance Of 80 or 80 mles-was managed without
reference to tho other. During the passage, had
conversation with Mr.. Collyer, one of tho owners,
who was on board ] was not acquainted with any
nj n MIR inf
me the captain, for whom inquired, was sick in
bis room. had noticed the clerk, assisted by the
bnrkeoper, discharged the duties Of the captain At
the landings. In speaking with Mr. Collyer about
the comparative speed Of the different boats on the
river, he took occasion to say that thure was an
agreement between the owners Of the Horny Clay
and Armenia, that they should not race. / told
him that the Armenia, by taking the Athens chan
mel, showed determination to get ahead He said
IL all wrong, and violation of their agreement
not to race.
was sitting n the after deck, enjoying view
Of the beautiful vi,ages and country seats on the
eastern shore OF The river. We had just passed Mr.
FORESTS country sent, when noticed an unusual
STR forward, and heard the boa. vas on FIRE. Mr..
kidder, OF New York, by whom sat, requested me
to SIT BY his daughter until be could 90 and see
what was the matter. He soon returned, anS snr-
nounced that the boat was on fro, and they we're
heading her for the shore. / then went for nv
friend, who was in the after cabin, lying down. !
assisted hlm on deck; but by that time the gang
treat forward was cut off The boat soon struck
the shore with much force; we being on the after
part of the boat, were $50 feet from the shore
the only way of escape was by the water hastily
seized all the floating articles Icould lay my hands
on, or tear from their fastenings, and threw them
over TO the crowd struggling in the water At
length bad to take the leap; could swim, but
my sick companion wns nearly helpless. I could
not prevail on him to jump over with me; he said,
to 60 or stay would prove equally fatal
ScOrched by the flames, hc at last got over the
rail, and dIopped into the water. We succeeded
in rcachipg brace under the guard, where We were
supported for a long time until rescued by boat.
LETT the brace after my companion was secured,
and swan out from under the guard to see if there
was no help approaching. saw Mr. Coilyer swim
ming towalds us from the shore, showing boards
from the railroad fence. / swan towards bin, and
aided him in scattering the boards around, within
reach Of those who were sustaining themselves on
chairs and settees. Nr Collyer was enabled to save
many lives by the aid Of these boards. swan With