Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-25
GensraI SnteIliaente.
Accident to one Steamer Empire State

Accident to the steamer Empire State.--
The steamsr Empire State, one OF the New York
and Fall River line of boats met with an acct
dent on Monday night, which detained her on the
Sound some seven hours beyond her regular time
She left Fall River al her usual hour, having on
board about four hundred passengers. Stopping
at Newport, she took on board about two hundred
more, and large amount OF freight. Leaving
Newport, she had proceeded but about fifteen
miles, when one of the boilers burst, eau sing the
steam TO escape in great volumes, which made a
most terrific noise, and created the greatest con-
sternation among the six hundred pa sengers A
slit in the seam Of the boiler was made about an
eighth or quarter Of an inch in width and about
two feet in length, through which the steam came
rushing out most furiously. Ii was about ten
o'clock in the evening, when many of the cabin
passengers had retired 10 their berths and the
panic which II created among these, is ndscriba-
Bile. Ladies came rushing from their berths crying
and screaming, and anxiously inquiring if the
boat was on fire; while some hastily adjusted
their liiepreservers, and were about TO leap
board, but were prevented by the entemen, who
had TO use all their power 10 pacify them.
Many actually believed that the boat was either
on fire or was sinking; and the greatest terror
was depicted upon their faces, as they hurried
from place TO place, nquirlng the nature of the
disaster, or seeking means of escape. In the up
per saloon, the alarm was not so great, as the
doors leading down the gangway were immed-
a;ely closed, thus preventing the steam from rush
ing up. But even there. all was terror and APP
prehenson. There was general rush for the
promenade deck, and every one sought to get as
far from the boiler as possible.
But il was soon announced that the accident
was not of a very serious nature, and the alarm
gradually subsidized The engineer Immediately
stopped the engine, and commenced blowing off
steam. The fire under the cracked boiler was
also soon extinguished, and the extent of the
damage was ascertained. II was announced that
the boiler would be repaired in an hour, and that
the boat would then proceed onward But after
lying-to about three hours, it was finally deter
mined 10 continue on with one boiler. This was
done, the boat going at a very slow rate, and the
passengers were all safely landed in this city at
halfpast two O'Clock yesterday afternoon. We
were informed that the damage done TO the boiler
could be repaired in two hours after reaching the
city, and that the boat would leave at her usual
hour last evening
From the Cleveland Herald of Friday.
Great Robbery on the Crescent City and
Arrest of the MISUNDERSTANDING during last
night on the passage of the Crescent City up from
Buffalo, the staterooms of many of the passen-
gers were robbed Of the valuables therein, either
BY The entrance Of thieves through the windows,
or by the means of false keys.
" The rascals carried off watches. money, spec
iaces, ornaments, and even clothing.
Of course there was seasons of excitement on
board the Crescent when day flight dawn appear.
ed" Among those robbed were number of la
dies, who lost all the money they had ; Captain
Pease, gentleman as he always Is, furnished these
ladies from his own pocket with the funds neces-
sary for them 10 reach their places Of destination.
As the boat neared the dock this morning, Capt
Pease, from the wheethouse, gave the signal 10
officer Warren, who was on the dock al The time
and as the passengers were passing over the
gangway plank, Warren nabbed four suspicious
characters, whose ages range from Is TO rs years
These fellows were taken into the depot and
examined, and turned out enough watches and
trinkets, &C. 10 furnish an ordinary jewelry store
The articles found on them consisted of three
breastpins, three gold watches, two of which were
taken from ladies, number of gold chains and
lockets, various rings. and among them Masonic
knight Templar's ring OF great value, wallet con-
tanning twenty-eighi dollars, and package Of
money containing 1926 in gold and bills. This
package was cut from the pantaoons pocket of
Captain Wells, of Black river, while on his per-
son, he being asleep in his berth, Mrs. Johnson
Of Milan, lost all her money, fortunately large
amount, and Mrs. Whitney, of Buffalo, had her
purse and money stolen.
Not only all the property stolen on board the
Crescent was found on The rascals, who gave their
names David Woodward, Robert ID. Martin,
Orlando ]. Durand, and William Henry Green, or
Gun, but various other articles of value. Among
them, a very valuable gold watch which, it is sup
posed, was stolen yesterday from the Clarendon,
Buffalo.
Ii is supposed Martin is The leader of The gang,
rs ne had the money cut from Captain Weiss
pocket
An examination was had before Justice Hessen-
rnueller this morning and the thieves now safe
in Jail.
Wonderful Preservation.-A writer in the
Boston Recorder, as an illustration Of Providential
care, relates the following marvellous incident,
and vouches for il as authentic:
Elias Boudinot, founder of the American
Bible Society, was returning in his chaise 10 his
home, late in dark night, from court he had
haa ~ davs Ha lnpx Thar
n recent freshet had carried away all the panks
from the long bridge that lay in his accustomed
path. Therefore he drove right on, as though
shere were bridge there, and reached home
safely. His friends inquired by what road he
came. "The usual road he replied. "Impossi
ble" said they, There are no planks on the bridge
lie persisted, and they, trembling for his veracity
or his sanity, eagerly went with him next morn
ing early TO survey. When arrived, they found
the very tracks OF the carriage at either end Of the
bridge and on the sleepers, and the very foot
prints Of his horse on central sleeper. There
was no more 10 be said, sanity and veraciiy were
both safe. Some power had presided over the
instinct Of that horse, had ordained the cores
pondence Of those wheels with the sleepers over
which they passed, and kept the man in ignorance
of bis danger. Was that power fate or chance?
Deaths by LightniDg.--A correspondent OF
the Savannah -Moraiag Neics, in letter from
PondtL'wn, Sumner county Georgia, dated Au.
gust 10 says: I'm TUESDAY evening, Stn instant,
Two persors were killed by lightning, near the
sohool-bouse, at Ebenezer church, in this county
The scholars were at play during the recess
when the lightning struck four large pine-trees
under the shade Of which the boys were playing
and one of the scholars named Smith, grand
son Of the late MAJOR Loyett b. Smith, and the
teacher, Mr.. William Champion, were instantly
killed.
All the scholars in the vicinity were pros
trated, and several rendered insensible for con
siderable period. One OF the boys, a son Of Mrs
Mary Cotte, was struck in the region OF the biI
by the electric fluid, which coursed down his leg
leaving a bright red stripe and tearing his shoe tc
pieces. He was, however, able TO walk home.
Mr. Champion was standing about four fee
from one of the trees, and the boy Smith was sit
ting on the ground, with his back resting agains
the tree. Restoratives were applied, but in vain
Death Of Judge Huger.-The Hon. DAME
E''ot, Huger departed this life yesterday, at BIZ
rss;d.,-c on Sullivan's Island, at the age o
sevepty-fvd
nonneement of The death ofthis distinguished ans
reverend citizen, with universal regret. Fo
L. <... H.