The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-05

pA'nfu accsdent occurred yesterday morning In the
East river, near waabout bay. vhsrsoy eight persons
were drowned within few feet Of shore and valuable
brig, laden with molasses and sugar WAS sunk to the
bottom Of the river.
appears that ON Sunday night the hermsphrodits
brig William H. ssHord, ofBangor Me- Capt. Christopher
Smith, master, came up bay and dropped anchor In
tho East river, between Old Slip and Fulton terry
The tide was very strong, and after the
best bower let down. the cable parted and
the vessel dred towards the Navy Yard and was not
brought up until anthsr anchor was thrown out
when shs stopped within few feet Of the dock tho
gas works adjoining the Navy Yard. This was about
O'Clock yesterday morning.
little wbne after the vessel was brought up, the
e turned and soon ran with great Violence bringing
with 1t masses Of floating loo, peee Of which eventu-
ally struck the Stafford With great force and stove In her
bow In the vicinity Of the timber ports when she began
to make water rapidly.
At this time there deck but the captain
who, when he became Of the danger, called up
the crew. who rushed Deck but late to be Of any
he sprung out Of his hammock he found himself up to
s knees In the frozen water and tho vessel during that
short time in imminent danger Of sinking.
Though there but persons ON board the brig
the greatest confusion Immediately prevailed as they
knew not what do and could not realize until too late
the extent of their danger and whom a length It became
evident they were going down. could be found
with which to cut away the yawi that made fast to
the vessel BY Q heavy cable. While the seamsn were
tuggng NJ the rope In vain endesvorng to cut II loose
Mrs. Smith, the masters wife, and her two children
who were In their night Clothes entered the yaw whom
the vessel lurohed and went down stern foremost,
sucking down In the vortex all but two of the persons ON
board. and 1t Is presumed that they were too much
lod hoEnr
serious effort for he Besides the ebb tide was running
impetuously at the time and it would have required
strong swimmer to make the shore under any circum
stances.
Two Of the seamen, when they they vessel settling
rushed for the oreast and made their way to the cross
trees, which, fortunately, reached the surface Of the
water when the vessel touched bottom There they re-
maned for nearly two hours chilled to the very marrow
by the cold wind and the frozen water which reached up
to their middle and IN momentary danger Of being
dragged un6er should the brig turn over on her side
Several vessels passed. but of them needed their
cries, and the Peck slip ferryboas very the
but the pilot he did them-pretended not to do So
and left them to their fate.
About O'Clock the seamen were fortunate enough 70
attract the attention Of Lieutenant McComb the OH ser
Of the deck on board of the receiving ship North Carroll
pa aud he despatched the gunner, John NJ Ballard in
taken from their uncomfortable and dangerous posi- iou
and brought board the North Carolina in an exhaust
ed condition few minutes after they were taken from
ths crosstrees the brig turned the ass dsaf.
reared under water.
The seamen immediately put under the charge of
doctor, and application Of the proper remedies re-
covered and told substantially the story given above
The following ia list of the OF the drowned and
saved:-
Christopher Smith. master.
Mrs. N. Smith, his wife.
Two children of the above girl twelve years of ags
and boy Eve years old.
David Darrsgh, mate.
Alexander Bremner, seaman.
Henry Williams, seaman
The cook, (ooored,) name unkaown-rota 8.
SAVED
Frank Ryder, seaman.
William Brown, seaman.
The ssamen board tho North Carolina made up
subscription among themselves which amounted to sixty
dollars, and gave 1t to the two rescued seamen.
Captain Smith, who drownsd, formerly resided in
Brewer, Bangor in Maine, where he was much
spected. This the first time he had taken his wife
and family with him . sea voyage The William H.
Stafford built in Bangor Maine in the year ls4s,
and about $50 tons burden. When she sank
there large cargo board of sugar, In the
hold, and moasses on deck. This vessel sailed
from Boston, where her crew was shipped, some
four months ago, to Demarara, where her cargo was
taken on board; she stopped at Attakapas La her
way to this port C. P. Leverch of this city owned
the CARGO the vessel belonged to Captain Smith and D.
W. Pierce, of Bangor, Me. The whole circumstance Is
most painful the the parties had Just return
ed from long voyage and to all appearance when
they retired secure enough, being but few feet from
the wharf
The mates trunk and the logbook Of the vessel were
picked up yesterday afternoon The brig had two boats
but both lashed firmly that they could not be
cleared In time to them. The longboat deck
and the yswl over the stern.
FROM OUR SHIP NEWS REPORTER.
The brig William H. Stafford, Captain Smith, Of Bangor,
from Attakapas arrived Saturday and anchored In tho
East river During the night she carried adrift BY
the ce and at three O'Clock yesterday morning cut
through by the ice and SUNK The captain his wife, two
children and three wore drowned. Two mon were
saved by boat from the United States ship North Caro-
hnA-
The following the particularssAt p N. Of the Sd
inst while lying at anchor Fulton terry cable
parted by the force Of the Ice and the food tide when she
died TO the vicinity Of the Navy Yard and brought
TO by her best bower. This was at A. M. of the
4h instant All on board, except the capain then
that abe filling very fast, with the water up to the
lower bertha All aroused and went deck, and
the vessel immediately went down Her tops were not
entirely submerged, and two named William Brown
and Frank Ryder fmArnsrs) got into the trees
They afterwards rescued BY boat from the receiving
ship North Carolina, which won't out In charge Of Mr.
ballard the gunner They were brought ON board the
ship In almost exhausted condition, but soon 70
vived under the skilful treatment Of Doctor Aber-
nethsy, surgeon Of the ship. AL the others
board OF the brig perished. These the
Captain, named smitn, his wife and two children-:
girl aged eleven, and the other boy, foar years Of
age. The names Of the crew Alexander Brinmsr,
Henry Williams and the cook, colored. The latter was
shpped In Demarara. All the others were shipped In
Boston, whence she sailed her outward passage, and
supposed to be Americana The captain belonged 70
Frankfort, Maine. The vessel hailed from Bangor;
about years old, and $50 TONS The wife OF the
captain estimAbe woman, and tho two children
exceedingly intelligent. Their ores for hep heard
BY people.
THE SCHOONER s. O. srEBBNs CUT rHRoUaH.
A schooner came down the North river today cut
through BY the Ice and fun Of water, (name not yet