Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31
DREADFUL CALAMITY ON THE HUDSON RIVER.

CURED on the hudson river on w ednesday The
narrative is thrilling one, and the details truly
appalling. Up to ten o'clock last night we had in
teligence through the Telegraph Of the recovery Of
more than serenity dead bOdies most Of them females,
and many Of both sexes unknown. We give the
names OF some who had been recognised, viz:
Mrs Bancroft wife of Stacey Bancroft, merchant of
Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs Owen Fernnell, of Wilmington n. c.
A. G. Downing, editor of the Agriculturst Hewburgh,
New York
VIM F. Ray, wife and daughter of Cincinnati
George X. Marcher, residence unknown.
Professor Bartlett of the Collegiate Institute at Pough
keepsie.
Stephen Allen, ex-Mayor of New York, and wife.
Mrs Bailey, wife Of Professor Bailey of West Point,
and two children
John L. Thompson, of Lancaster Pa.
Miss Moore, OF Tennessee.
Mrs Murray and child, wife of Adam Murray, of Chi
cago Illinois
William II. Whitlock of New York
Mrs L. s. Haskell, Of Laurel HILL New York, serious
ly burnt
Miss Tucker, of Milledgevle, Georgia.
Willis b. Prescott, of Louisiana.
J. j. Speed eminent lawyer of Baltimore.
The sister of Hawthorne, the novelist accomplished
woman, who was returning from the springs.
An investigation is being made as to the cause of
this terrible calamity, and it is said that the fact of
the Henry Clay and Armenia being engaged in
racing has been fully proved. At a meeting Of the
male passengers held at the Astor House yesterday
resolutions were passed condemning in the strongest
terms the commanders of both the steamers.
FROM THE NEW YORK THURSDAY MORNING
We are called upon this morning to record another
heartrendng catastrophe which has filled city with
gloom and made vacant places at many household
hearth. Our noble Hudson river yesterday the
of calamity which it is feared when all its dread hor-
known, viii be found to almost equal in disaster
the memorable catastrophe which befe the steamer Sra
low some years since
The steamers Henry Clay and armenia left Albany at
o'bock yesterday morning for New York. the latter
little ahead each crowded with passengers-the former
having between four and Ave hundred board. 1t is
stated that the boats commenced racing from the start
the boats belonging of course, to rival lines. All the
landings missed the eagerness of the race until
Hudson reached Here the Armenia made the land
ing first, IA the Henry Clay obliged wait until
her rivals departure before she could get the dock
The Armenia of course again got the start taking the
west channel of the river Her competitor followed on
the east side of the verthe channels being separated
for some distance by grassy fiat When the boats reach
ed the lower end Of this fiat they about abreast of
each other each striving make the next landing king
ston should suppose it to be from the descrption
ahead of the other The Armenia it will be seen was
nearest the shore which Kingston is situated The
Clay however crowded her hard that they came in
collision and ran side by side for some distance the
wheel-house Of the Armenia sustaining meantime con-
siderable damage
The passengers with the exception Of a reckless few
had exhibited much alarm during the entire passage thus
far appehendng fatal result the hazardous
When the boats in collision, their alarm increased
much that several ladies tainted, and many others gave
expression to their fears in loud outcres and tears 1t
proper to state here that Capt TLLMAN confined
his by sickness and did command at all
ALSO that THOMAS CoLLYER, one of the owners of the
boat board We told that after the collision
four gentlemen went TO the persons who in command
stating the CONSERVATION Of the ladies' and demonstrating
against the fearful risk to which the passengers
being subjected and begging that the race should
at this time the heat in the vicinity Of the engine and
boiler great that it had become almost i'm
possible pass from end Of the to the other
This fact mentioned evidence of the hazardous
efforts which being sacnre fruitIess VIC
tory at the expense Of the comfort if not the lives, OF all
on board The remonsrances were unayailing. The
ply that the boat getting along very WELL and
that there danger to be apprehended. The
accordingly continued the Henry Clay succeeding, finally
in crowdng her competitor the shore that she
was compelled to drop astern in order to keep from
ming aground The Clay made the landing took board
the few passengers in waiting and secured the few dol
lars charged for their fare At what price the paltry
sum was obtained the melancholy sequel viii show
AS may be supposed the feelings Of those bearda
large majority of them ladies' many Of whom with
out by this time become excited that
few were prepared to with presence Of mind in the
dread emergency in which they TO be plunged
The Henry Clay maintained her vantage, and came
through the Highlands short distance ahead Of the Ar
mena Emerging from that passage, the latter
fell rapidly asten Of the Clay which passed Sing Sing
some four miles ahead. In the mean time dinner had
been served, and the passengers grouped the
main and promenade decks, somewhat treasured now
that the boats were far separated.
At about quarter before o'clock, just after passing
the village Of Yonker the thrilling cry Of Fire. re-
the engine-room showed column Of smoke pouring in
from one Of the matches. Almost simultaneously the
flames eaped from the hold the boiler rooms and in
than one minute the entire vicinity Of the machinery
was enveloped in flames cutting off all communication
between forward and aft Western steamboat Captain
who was on board expresses his conviction that tar resn
or some other highly infammabe matter have been
in use in the boiler for fuel wood (even heated
s was every part Of the vessel the machinery by the
unusual fires Of the day. could not by any possibility
have ignited and raised dense wall Of fame in the few
seconds which elapsed after the first alarm and before
communication fore and aft was cut off This testimony
/, confirmed by gontrcnen.
Panic and confusion assumed the reins The reali
r.la L. - Al.