The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-23
rHE LAKE ERIE cArAsrRoPHE.
Nearly -Four Hundred Supposed to have
been Lost,
&c.. &C.. ga.


Aaantic-Mr, John S Blake of Meridsn, Connecticut
He arrived in town yesterdsy morning. and proceeds
to-day to his home His escape from death was |
miraculous.
The Atlantic from Buffalo bound to Detroit, and
was loaded to her utmost capacity With passengers She
had board from five 90 six hundred, including over
three hundred Norwegians and Germans. She
fully laden with her human freight that Captain Petty
was compelled from fifty to seventy five emi
grants on the pier at Buffalo We informed by Mr.
Blake who is cool and intelligent gentleman, that Of
the whole humber A. not over hundred
and twenty. five saved. They picked up by
the propeller, and he all when they proceeded
board the sultana Thus instead Of two hundred, the
loss ia nearer four hundred
Mr. Blake has made a Of the terrible affair
II is annexed, and speak for Itself
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
NV YoRK, August %, 1852
have at this the FIRST opportunity since the
fatal disaster Lake Erie to give description of the
awful scene then which il still vivid be-
fore in all its horror far as had opportunity
to view ii.
have RETAINED from reading any account published as
yet with the exception Geographic despatch
which appeared in Buffalo paper, for the reason
that / wished to retain the scenes fresh upon my
mind ~ they actually occurred to me, believing
truths in relation the heart rending and fatal
catastrophe should be made public and is to be hoped
that others who messed the calamity aid the
public in coming to conclusion upon the SUBJ
Ject the nature OF the demands feel that this
due especially when the sacrifice Of human life is
great and similar caastrophics of such frequent
renee that measures be taken to remedy the evil
You aware that Nh calamity happened about two
O'Clock Friday morning. August Goth, at which time
sleeping in my berth in state No l. with two
other gentlemen whom have not since and fear
they lost,) which the larbosrd side,
and within from four to six feet from where the propeller
struck the Atlantic and near us can judge, about
midway between the paddle wheel and the of the
vessel.
At the moment she struck us and while the timbers
were stil moving and rushing me down in my berth, l
struggled ana succeeded in extricating myself and in
upon the forward part of the hurricane deck
alongside of the pilots wseel feeling assured that from
that position could gain information in regard
to danger than from other point the orders
would be given from that quarter At this time the
pelier was slowly falling astern of us
had occupied that position but few moments before
the appalling cry was heard that she was sinking.
All was confusion and the next moment the command
given in stfed and agitated to head her
in for shore and ring the bell both which commands
obeyed. and some exertions were made to
her over on her side to keep the water
from rushing IN. but without much effect.
An this time her engine in motion it had been
all the while and fast leaving the propeller.
then thought it time to make an effort to save my
iI for the door OF the saloon in order reach
the main deck found it dark there and not light to
be seen and do not believe there was enc on that part
OF the boat; however succeeded in getting down and
tried TO find something to float upon.
AT this moment thought of the life prescrver stools
and climbed over the railing upon the hurricane deck to
secure one but did not like their appearance and
made my down again and secured the after gangway
door placedi over the rails the guards outside in
tending it Tor future concluding upon the
wreck as long could giving myself sufficient time to
But very soon the cry OF fire heard AZ which Time
the emigrants jumping off the forward deck they
bad been doing previously by dozens some sinking
der the wheels and some passing astern utterng such
fearful cries for help in their language, render
the which it mpossbl to describe, douby APP
palling
Some fifteen twenty minutes after the collision the
main deck sunk and then launched my rail support
and struck out TO clear the vortex which supposed
would soon be made by the sinking vessel.
When was sufficiently clear from her and her wake,
and also without the reach of those who drowning
around me- of whose cries will not attempt to speak,
lay sill and watched the motion Of both steamers, cal
cuiatpg my chance of escape, which did not, at any
one time, lose sight or
1t has been said we went three miles after the
collision took place. II then for TO be able
that distance Of two things must be fase-ether
vas not very foggy did not that distance 1t
peer-I supposed che was leaving TO perish 1t
then fer the first time lost ortitude-I gave up
lost; but yet hoped for help from that quarter and
did not look in vain for ho- bearing down
wards and then God only knows my feelings of graft
tude made for her last my strength would per-
mit and was soon taken on board.
From my observations Of the drowning persons around
me- fear the loss of life viii prove greater than be
known
That it was to the STILL calm, and almost clear night,
and the interposition OF Divine Providence in
debted for the preservation of many lives there
be doubt Had il been dark rough. God
what would have been the result.
And now, that such accident should happen, must
remain matter Of speculation to those present but
me believe to be deserving the strongest
That there was reckles spirit manifested, fairly be-
neve-otherwse, how almost clear night could it
have taken place JOHN S. BLAKE, Merideo, Ct.