The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-17
ANOTHER STEAMBOAT DISASTER
Colnion between the Steamboat Empire. a d
S!oOp ON tho Mort Rivs r-Slx or Eight
Lives Lost, ana about Twelve persons In
Jured.

tured.
Our city was thrown into int nse state o. excite
ment yesterday, by report that the steamboat EN-
pre- which has been running several years between
this city and Troy, had in collision with s,op
near New Hamburg, between two and three O'Clock in
the morning, that her boilers exploded Immediately
after, and that two hundred lives lost Those who
had relstves friends board rushed In frepzied
haste to the steamboat landing and Office to ascertain
tie true account Of the dsaser The officials and work
men, however refused to give any information whatever
In relation 20 the accident ana left the inqurers in
terrible state % urcertainty regarding the fate of their
frtncs Snch attempts to conceal from ths public the
facts, Is deserving o. be severest censure and should
meet VIII the noet msrsed public condemnation.
The accident occurred, have stated New Ham,
burg which is about six miles above Poughkespsie but
1t was not, have to believe from the latest
accounts attended with such disastrous conseq uences
Instead of two hundred being killed, the number it is
thought will not exceed six eight about twelve
wounded.
Soon after Empire was struck the boiler fe out of
its place, and she careened her side By
it is thought that the boiler exploded but others
the opinion that portion Of it knocked in by the
force Of the collision, and that the steam immediately
rushed out scadDg several persons This last account
is perhaps the most reliable but it is impossible to tell
precisely how the accident occurred there so many
In relation to it, and oil the statements are SO
conflicting.
The guards Of the Empire we're torn away the smoke
pipe knocked down. the paddle boxes burst open and
The decks broken in to considerable extent SO that
the water poured into the cabins u perfect food
The greatest Consideration prevailed among the pas
seIgers Leary all Of whom asleep when the COLI
sion took place. The shock ho yever, aroused them
from their slumbers and they upon the dsck in the
l.a.. .Js.Jo - T,a,
terrible panic, and five Elk their terror, we
are informed, jumped overheard and dro sned.
This, however, must bs taken with due allowance in all
casee of this kind the statements generally exag-
gersted.
According to the statement Of Mr. Mallory the clerk
board steamboat who arrived here this morning.
there not than two persons known to be killed.
and few others slightly scslded We hope this is true;
but fear that the number will be found to be much
greater.
The hight wss clear enough to allow objects at the dis
ance Of than thirty rods off to be perceived and the
accident is by attributed to the pilot who should
have the slop in time to have steered clear Of It,
However this may be, have at present means Of
Determining but II is evident that the catastrophe
the result of carelessness want Of due caution in
Eone quarter.
Mr.. Levi Smith, the captain of the EMPIRE appears
save the passengers He ordered the life boat to be
lowered and used his utmost exertions in maintaining
order among the panic stricken passengers Notwth-
standing all this however it appears that the life boat
capaized and three four persons who were in 1t
we're dro rned before assistance could be rendered.
The sloop AustaTord first to the relief of the
steamer and took of Of the and baggage
landing them at Rensselaer, dock.
Another sloop, unknown, immediately after
up and took off the injured and other passengers to
Poughkeepsie.
The propeller Wyoming next up, and took of the
balance of the to the DOCK where they
we're conveyed 10 the Exchange Hotel The disabled
ssamer oated the lee shore, share She remains
sesea Of the wounded taken to the residence Of
Mr. Van Rensselaer,, where every and attention
bestowed upon them
The largest proportion Of the passengers to
the city by TIE Hudson River Railroad, and few
turned to Albany by the express train. Several Of the
wounded we've taken from New Hamburg by the Wyom.
ing msptonea above toPougbkeepse and three four
Of the injured were selt back to Troy.
The following is list of the killed and wounded with
their names far have been able to ascertain -
KILLED.
Mr.. Ssfrord, formerly an officer on the Empire. His
father Keeps the Troy House, the Crystal Palace.
A fireman, whose name is unknown.
Besides these, there four six others who have
bsen either scalded to death drowned
WOUNDED.
Mr.. AUSTIN badly scaded, but it is thought will re-
cover.
Petcr v. vosbnrgh, slightly scalded-taken home to
Hudson.
A fireman, scaldsd dangerously
Two Indian squaws. badly burned.
Charles Cushman fireman seriously but it is thought
not fatally scaded.
Mr.. Cushing third engineer.
Edmund G. sart tan, sec ,nd engineer.
j. d Scott, book pedlar.
Mary Beedes, badly scalded.
Mary Wooster, badly Gcalded.
Robert T. Cunningham, of New Haven, badly scalded
and leg broken.
N S. Bulitt Of Washington D. c.
James Johnston, a deck hand.
Peter Van Fealen. another deck hand.
G. Pariitt, Of New Jersey.
or tha foregoing, six dangerously
scaded that il is believed their injuries will terminate
fatally.
Mr. Larkin resident Of Myrtle avenue, Brooklyn re.
ceived telegraphc despatch last evening from Pough
ksepse informing him that his sister badly scalded
on board the Empire, and was then at Poughkeepss.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
gentleman who visited the of the accident yes
te day. informs us that ten bodies had been carried
ashore.
The steamboat perfect wreck, and at present lies
with the head up the river within few yards Of the
shore.
ayoe of freight will be Lost by this collision