The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-03

and presume at this time she struck the shore
ignorant Of the fact Of her having ashore andseeng
person the hurricane deck thought it the best plan
to get up there made the attempt but was unwilling
to ipjure the blinds Of the cabin the second time sue
ceeded in getting up the arboard side then saw the
larboard side fire and the flames extending along the
pipe that could not see the shore took off one OF
my boots and unlaced the other and taking chair in
my hand, prepared to take the water at this mo-
ment Mr. Goulay. who was on deck, came up
to me and remarked thft the only means OF es-
was filled with smoke, aud hesitated Mr. Gourlay and
his rendlef and was the last person who remained ON
that deck remained about two minutes, during which
time the wind had driven off the smoke and clear
passage over 1t would remark that the larboard side
was all in flames the starboard sinking but not in
flames keeping the chair in my hand went over with
out shoes, without suffering from the fire. and reached
the extreme end Of the deck and throwing out
baggage there was no one else on the deck; put
my boots and descended to the lower deck looked for
my baggage walked round the main deck and looked
for my baggage under the hurricane deck but did
discover it then went to the bow Of the boat and
reached the shore without getting my feet wet; until this
time had doubt that every passenger had been saved
when got on shore saw to my great horror number
of passengers in the stern of the boat jumping into
the water and others falling off enquired Mr. Al
len. and not finding him, fearful that he had been
lost if proper appliances either boats ropes had been
used and the facts had been stated by the officers
lives would have been lost did not hear word Of
couragement advice given the passengers in
formed at any time Of the danger they in knew
nothing about the state of the fire until reached tn
hurricane deck, as relied on the information of tn,
officers.
John II. Gourlay sworn and examincd-I was pas
senger on board the Henry Clay at Albany the goth
nstant she passenger steamboat plying between
New Yolk and Albany; short time after getting
board noticed considerable efforts used to induce pas
sepgers to take the Henry Clay observed the same
pursued by the runners for the Armenia took
interest in the matter because supposed it to be
usual occurrence got on board the Henry Clay, and
a mile and half in advance Of the Armenia when the
latter left the Dock the Henry Clay reached Hudson
mile and half in advance Of the Armenia and the latter
channel,
landing; when We left the Hudson dock heard some
say would overhaul her anyway; in a short
period the Henry Clay appeared to be going very rapidly
standing in the bow Of the Henry Clay she ap-
peard to bound forward and appeared to 60 faster than
before she reached Hudson and mentioned the fast to
friend who accompanied me; heard great deal of talk
and abuse the Catskil dock when we arrived there
feeling between the parties Of the two boats the
Armenia went and the Clay followed after making her
landing after she had left the dock heard young
say who connected with the vessel, that we had
beaten her after ALL that got passengers they 15
not certain to the former numbers the Clay pro-
ceeded and rapidly overhauled the Armenia which
for considerable length of me when they abreast
think they might be 300 or 400 feet apart they then
into collision there on the paddle box
ready to throw out the nders they appeared to be each
approaching towards each other; heard say
that the Clay driving the Armenia to the western
shore after the collision heard two gentlemen denounce
the officers Of the Clay there great deal Of excite
ment among the passengers at the time OF the collision;
heard ladies screaming; was at this time the hurri-
cane deck one Of the officers, whom was told Mr..
Collycr came aft and gentleman seized him by the
arm and sad This must not be, sir 1t must be stop
ped II said it is rascaly business Mr. Collyerqui-
ety said, There is no danger" the continued
after the collision and after this remonstrance for
siderable length Of time proceeded along locked
tied together for considerable length of time Jensa
tion) The Clay seemed to pass the Armenia towards
Armenia threw off her steam and the Clay went
ahead; at the time Of the collision many gentle
men men were evidently relieved when the Henry Clay
several miles ahead Of the Armenia previous to the COL
sion, the most excitable person on board was young
man. who had acted officer and sold liquor at the
bar and helped to ocate at the gangway he appeared
to be intensely interested that the Henry Clay should
get ahead fthe Armenia; this time Mr. Coll
Yer continuing about the vessel desiring every one to
be calm he appeared to be going from the
and the main deck and back again, and about the
sci few minutes after the boats separated, the
captain, and heard him say to gentleman in answer to
inquiry how he that he still felt very i'll in
deed he standing the staboard gangway Of the
hurricane deck between the paddle box the machn
cry while the boat in collision the passengers
all ordered to the sarboard side of the boat that is to
the side opposite to the other boat ten minutes
after had separated went to the bow OF the boat
where saw my companion Mr.. Henry Lawrence, seat
ed he told me he sat there for security. as he
afraid the boat would blow up and he had his baggage
between himself and the boiler to shield him (aughter)
this time there many groups of persons talking
about the one gentleman asked deck hand
why they pushed the Armenia 80 close to the west
ern shore; he replied, Because We won't tow
felt somewhat easier. and told this to the young
before alluded to who presided at the bar his an
sWer tndt we cOulu nave got OH II
sepgers had kept to the larboard side reached New
berg where witnessed the same scene and excitement
among the runners one man cried to another You had
better go board the Henry Clay the Armenia wont
arrive till night " large number of passengers came
board at Newburg time after leaving Ncwburg
wanted my dinner, and found the table full that
could not get seat nothing of interest occurred until
got to Washington Irying's mansion sat looking
to the east bank Of the river and commenced pointing
the residences Of of merchants and others
after had passed Mr. Forests house short distance
heard the cry of fire my friend and myself at
upon feet and we shortly afterwards heard
say, There is danger, the fire is out - my friend
Mr. Lawrence said, Let us take our seats again as
much for example any thing else believing that at
that time the ladies unnecessarily alarmed sat
probably half minute the smoke came up so dense
through the staircase that both satisfied the fire
serious the boat heading ashore, the wind
blew the smoke to the arboard side the whole boat then
seemed to be enveloped in of hot smoke below
friend asked me what was going to do told him
should make for the bow the moment the boats head
struck the shore Mr.. Lawrence Mr. De Peyster and
myself seemed to be the only pessons the hur-
rcane deck.
The examination of this witness continued when
our reporter left by the last train.