The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-30

have cause to mourn amid their coprraul,tiona over
friends destroyed and seriously Injured lie not
saved from this accident-not accident but casualty
not an accident, but catastrophe-brough about by
the criminal carelessness Of persons az vet per
ksps not sufficiently known TO be named
APAssENGER-Ciimina reckessness
The CHAIRMAN--Ycs; criminal aud wicked reckless
ness on the part Of thosc nrusted with the lives
and nnminoful Of that trust desired TO accomplish
object of no earthly con.equence to any but them
selves and by that ciminality have brsnght mourning
and collation. on many They asked to take this
matter into consideration They felt az he felt that
there duty in the subject over and aboye the re-
coveTy property and the ynd;catiop OF mere claims
TO dollars and centsa duty to protect the public by
taking all such and remedies might be open
them through the law of the land, lie would state
what the medes which the law presented per-
soos who had suffered in like ths In the first
place to get those who managing the boat aud evil
dence OF the amount of steam used for the purpose of
passing another boat or other important purpose
and recovering penalty Of 5000 of the owners il the
captain not responsible In the place any per-
sons who have lost reati'e might bring action against
the master and obtain such jury
might think fair and just fol the loss Of kindred
solace and society # that kindred By the law OF the
land passengers could also The value lug
gage. Again before the result can be proved TO have
been brought about by criminal csreepes parties
were open TO criminal information for the purpose of
Furnishing them they ought ODE punished and which,
proved ohave existed murderous. at all events
thanksgiving and entitled them to find their resting place
in oonvict's cell (Applause) His business that
OF lawyer, and his residence in this CITY, He would
give his time energies and services to who might
be affected to investigate and prosecute
the end on the condition that his abors would be from
senRc ofpublc Justice and under circumstances for
ward. (Applause He had friend present. Mr. Lowell
who bad saved his sitter and her infant child and who
would do the same thing He trusted from regard 20
public safety the matter would not allowed sumbor
and for be concerned he would present
nothing more He left the matter before them and sug
gested for the proper organization of the matter the a
pontment OF committee and secretary.
Mr. Bergh was hereupon appointed Secretary, and Mr.
~ " Perrin, OF Tennessee an additional Secretary
The CHArMAN-The general object Of this meeting
VIII be understood by those present by the expression
OF M sentiments ana IL can resolve upon such action as
1t thinks proper Any remarks and resolutions in
order.
Mr.. G. BARNAnp-A gentleman on my right wants
10 show that the fires under the boilers Of the vessel
fed with tar and with something than the ordinary
fuel We can doubt compel the attendance of the
parties who attended to the fire
The CHAIRMAN We cannot do that without judicial
process
Mr. BARNAnp--I am informed that a week ago the
Henry Clay took e, and was exiting with the ut.
most difficulty.
PAssENGER.-Isaw her take fire week ago
MIR. VAHDyKE, of Philadelphia move that a com.
mtee of five be appointed prepare resolutions express
sing the of this meeting and also with the view
embody some suggestions TO the conduct of the pro-
ceedings.
This motion having been seconded, was put by the
chairman. and unanimously carried.
The CHAmMAN.-How shall the committee be ap.
pointed!
PAssrNGER.B the chairman.
The CHAIRAtAN.--I would appoint Mr. Vandyke of Phil
adelpbia MI. S. s. Phillips, Captain Barnard Captain
Dean of Pittsburg and John H. Goullay of New York
Mr. BERRY-Bi fore the committee retires, wish to
this i'll ated vessel, in company with many whom see
around me- aud feel sensible that the occasion Of this
lesness arising and thereby occasonng the destruction
Of life which cnsued Many helpless and children
were lost on that occasion, and 1t impossible
for us to render them that aid which they required We
have met here to express the sentiments with which
regard this disaster, and think may thst have
little to expect from the authorities who have the power
to abate this growing evi they too much in
politics. We have still less to hope from captains
owners Of steamboat; but we can hope for q great
journals would but give names of such vessels
are addicted 70 racing and hold them up to public
and Indignation great destruction Of life and property
would be prevented. l would therefore, suggest that
your committee urgently request editors of the press a
Perhaps my remarks not quite pertinent but have
but just escaped death by fire and water and wish to do
what can to prevent similar disasters
MIR, RAhsAy-I was on board the Armenia steamer at
tho time, and heard great deal. / on board the
Armenia at Kingston the Henry Clay was behind her,
and probably proceeded half mile, and when
the Henry Clay left the dock she after We
then stopped at another landing Brso) two three
miles from Catkn landing, The Henry Clay passed
and side by side Both boats appeared equal in
speed We passed on until we came to another landing
place. about lco yards about mile and half from land
the Henry Clay came obliquey to the right towards
the bows of each vessel together close that
the Henry clay threw out her guards. The Henry Clay
Armenia they stopped their vessel when
within leo yards OF the shore otherwise We should have
been dashed to pieces.
PAssENGER-She did not stop until collision took
place. When the collision took place the Henry Clay be-
ing heavier boat than the Armenia stopped her
engines.
ANOTHER PAssENeEa.-She was equally racing with the
Henry Clay. Youwant to smooth over The Armenia.
MIR. RAMsAY-I don't wish to any one have
no interest to do
The CHAIRMAN here requested the committee to retire
which they did with some reluctance being desrous OF
bearing these statements
MIR RlMsAy - The gentleman has stated that She
stopped to throw off steam otherwise agree with his
remarks so far the officers OF the Armenia arc con-
ccrned wish mention that before the fire took place
il became the subject OF conversation board the Ar
menia that the Henry Clay had raised too much steam
and al the time OF the collision she begun 10 re up very
much.
MIR r. d RippER said-I was passenger on board
the Henry Clay; came on board at Albany and left
about seven minutes previous to the Armenia: We made
landing at the city of Hudson The Armenia landed
a Ca'skil and The Henry Clay laid to on her stern Till
sho gone got to Catskill, where the Armenia got
into her suction; travelled together for number OF
miles; at the time the cry of fire raised they were
going fifteen mes hour he went into the ladies' cabin
where he found bis daughter almost suifocated with
smoke he wished the passengers 10 keep cool aud
going he ultimately climbed the bows and escaped and
helped others to 90 the he made atemp TO go
through the gangway but could not account OF the fire.
be had tbat morning the Of the boat Nr Coll
ycr who bad done everything 10 alleviate the calamity
well as all baud board There want Of fire.
men and buckets when he looked down TO the fires
be what appeared to be tarpauu the boiler
fre which was extending Itself to the woodwork.
Mr. GouRIAS suggested that evidence shouid be given
before the Coroner at Weschester and the matter would
then assume official shape. Within few minutes
after leaving Albany tho passengers complained OF the
great neat on beard " was not an ordinary race, put
one to be az sacrifice The excited and heated
state Of the pilots also proved this fact.
Mr. RrDDER stated that fifteen bodies had been found
that morning There between three and four hun
drd passengers on board not half Of them had come
shore.
Mr. PERRIN said that resident Of Tennessee he
had seen much of that he thought
the time had for the voice Of public opinion to speak
out now these disasters becoming prevalent In the
Northern States 1t almost always happened that the in
huence OF the propretors prevented justice being done
and the culpable parties got of "scot free,p
Mr. r. M. LvERMoRE, who was on board the Armenia,
stated that when the safety valve of the Henry Clay was
opened he saw thick column of smoke issue. She had
more steam than she could carry.
Mr. srENNiNG of Cincinnati said that the Armenia was
making twenty five revolutions minute. Mr.. Collyer
came upon deck and exhibited card wing that the
Henry Clay made rs revolutions during previous
trip. Although the men on board denied they were
racing yet he thought from their they admitted
IT, When he smelt ire he emaIked Mr. Colyer tkqt
they were burning pitch but he made no answer. He
toiu MN nc would travel his boat again. and
tlat he nmnht hnr burning