Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-05
Dreadful Calamity on the Hudson,
BURNING OF STEAMER HENRY CLAY.

BURNING or STEAMER HENRY CLAY.
The Steamers Henry Clay and armenia leN
Albany at O'Clock yesterday morning for New
York, the latter a little ahead, each crowded
with passengers, the former having between
four and i've hundred on board. It's stated that
the boats commenced racing from the start
the boats belonging, Of course to rival lnes.-
AL the landings we're missed, in the eagerne@
of the race, until Hudson was reached. Here
the armenia made the landing first, and The
Henry Clay was obliged 10 wait until her rivals
departure, before she could get to the dock
The armenia, Ut course, again got the start
taking the west channel Of the river. Tier com.
pelltor followed on the east side Of the river
the channel being separated for some distance
by grassy fiat. When the boats reached the
lower end Of this fiat, they were about ARREST
of each other, each striving TO make the next
landing Kingston, we should suppose it to be
from the descriptIon ahead Of the other The
armenia, il will be seen, was nearest the shore
on which Kingston is situated. The Clay
however, crowded her so hard thOt they came
IN collision, and ran side by side some dis.
lance, the wheel house of the .4rmenin sustain
!
The passengers, with the exception of reck-
less few, had exhibited much alarm during the
entire passage thus far, experimenting some
fatal result from the hazardous race. When the
boats came in collision their alarm increased
so much that several ladies tainted, and many
others gave expression 10 their fears IN lOud
outcries and tears. THOMAS CoLLYER, one Of
the owners of the boat, was On board. We are
told that, after the collision, four gentlemen
went TO the persons who were IN command,
stating the CONSERVATION of the ladies', and
demonstrating against the fearful risk 10 which
the passengers were being subincted. and beg
cling tn II the race should cease. AT this time,
the heat in the vicinity of the engine and boiler
rooms was so great that it had become almost
impossible to pass from one end of the vessel to
the other. This TACT was mentioned as an
evidence OF the hazardous efforts which were
being made to secure fruitess victory, at the
expense OF the comfort, # not the lives, of all
on board. The circumstances were unayai.
ing. The reply was, that the boat was getting
along very WELL and that there was no DANGER
to be apprchended. The race accordingly CON.
tlnucd,-the Henry Clay succeeding, tinally. in
crowdng her competition so near the shore, that
she was compelled 10 drop astern, in order to
keep from running aground. The Ciav made
the landing, took on board the few passengers
IN waiting, and secured the dollars charged for
their lure. At what price the paltry sum was
obtained, the melancholy sequla will show.
AS may be supposed, the feelings of those on
BOARD "a large majority of them ladies', many
OF wnol were without protectors had BY this
time become so excited that few were prepar.
Ell to act with presence of mind in the dread
emergency IN which they were soon TO be-
plunged, The Henry Clay maintained her van.
lage' and came through the Highlands short
distance ahead Of the .4rmenia E merging
from that narrow passage, the latter fell rapidly
aS'ern OF the Clay which passed Sing Sing
some Tour miles ahead. Ia the meantime din.
her mad been served, and the passengers were
grouped on the main and promenade decks,
treasured, now that the boats were
so lar separated. At about quarter before 3
CLOCK, Just after passing the village of Yonkers,
inc thrilling cry Of " Fire !" resoundcd from
Tue centre OF the vessel. A glance towards the
engine room showed column OF smoke pouring
up from one OF the matches. Almost simulla.
neous y, the flames leaped from the hole near
tne oollcr.rooms; aud IN less than one minute
the entire vicinity OF the machinery was en-
Vel"ped IN flames, cutting off all communication
between forward and aft. A western steamboat
CaPtalh, who was on board expressed his con.
N'clloh lhat tar, resin, or some other highly in
hammaole matter must have been in use in the
ooiIer-room Tor fuel, as wood-even heated as
was every part Of the vessel near the machine.
ry, by the unsnal fires of the day,-could not.
by any possibility, have ignited and raised a
dense wall OF fame, in the few seconds which
elapsed after the first alarm, and before com.
fore and aft was cut off This tes,i.
mony is confirmed by other gentlemen with
whom we conversed
-, fahlc ana confusion now assumed the reins.
ne realization OF the gloomy forebodipga of
ne morning seemed Ito be at hand Men wo.
men and children, were thrown into an alarm.
hg state OF confusion. Ladies were call;nr
ipon thelr husbands for succor; mothers clasn,
81 thelr children TO their bosoms. with The on.
'rgy oil despair, as they letreated from the m.
''uy spreading destruction. Husbands who ware
IN me forward deck strove in vain IN roach
1elr parteners left but moment before in The
'' 'A'ooh' GroanS, cries, shrieks, impreca.
~. 'onS' ana prayers, were mingled in mournGul
,'o'u'' rom the instant that the fire was dis.
90 despair seemed 10 settle upon the hearts
!" urge portion OF the passengers, and shut
'us from view altogether the hope calculated TO
safety. 'A' e"o''S '0'
a. "A cry Tor Z" the boats" was raised but no
'oats could be found. OO' ."
NO apparatus even for extinguishiug fires was
n tue boat which was turned and run on to the
more This however left all the after part of
ne Ooa' from 10 to Is rods from the shore, with
III the communication with the forepart cut off
y the flames, which with the suffocsIinp smoke
we're no" driven BY the wind directly upon the
uuerlng and panic struck crowd, who as the
'est alternative leOped wildly into the river,
'nere 10 appalling numbers they sunk to rise no
more.
ABOUT 70 bodies have been found, and dozen
'"e'S are known 10 be missing and we are in
0'meo Oy gentleman of this village, who was
N BOARD OF this illated boat, that it was I'D.