New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-10-13
STATEMENT OF MIR. VIM. b. FALES.

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William b. Faes, esq.,, of Portsmouth, X. l., now
stoppng at Frenchs Hotel, has obliged Us with the
following statement:
We started from Pier No. g. North River, at D
o. m. the fog being so thick at the time we could
scarcely see from stem to stern of the vessel, and
within three minutes of leaving the dock we could
no longer see land. do not think the vessel kept
full Roadway through the fog, and it did not appear
TO be longer than twenty minutes after starting that
che struck. was standing forward at the time, on
the saloon deck, and number Of passengers were
near me. We struck at about twenty minutes past
o'clock or as near that can Judge. We could mol
see any lights on either Shore but it was not yet quite
dark. The fog had become much denser, and We
could scarcely zee anything. At the time the ship
struck WAS sitting down; the shock very sensi-
by felt. although did not see or hear Of any persons
being thrown down in consequence OF H. All Oh
hoard appeared to know Ne had struck rock, and
Great confusion Immediately prevailed. The women
were much frightened, but the men did all they could
to pscfy them assuring them there was no danger. l
had no conversation with Capt. Brayton, but saw
him giving orders with perfect GOODNESS, and be-
having courageousy under the circumstances.
sso saw several of the officers Of the ship in full
exercise of their duty, and l heard them assur-
n, tbs messengers there was but little danger.
The ship was Immediately put toward land on the
NevYork side and within what appeared TO me an
bour we reached the foot of Twenty.frst street. 1t
seemed to me to be very long time after our striking
before we reached land. AT the moment Of our
striking, think the engines were shut off, but almost
in dstely after they put on again, and we put
back. Judge that the hole was made in the bows;
and about Eve minutes after the accident l noticed
water in the forward and aft cabin. I watched it
gain momentarily, although the pumps were
kept going all the time and when we ar
rived at Twenty-frst street. there were, l should
think three feet of water in the saloons as the tables
ard chairs were floating. Everybody was on deck,
and great confusion prevailed. When we came in
sight Of land, felt very much satisfied at the proc
pect of safety cheering arose from the passengers,
but the confusion almost immediately ceased. When
we came up to the dock at Twentyrst street. we laid
alongside schooner, and all the passengers landed
fiom the steamer across her deck. l am satisfied
that nobody jumped overheard after the acct
dent we all knew that We were sd near
lard that there was certainty of being
saved. No one seemed TO be in hurry TO leave
the steamer after arriving at the dock; some left i'm
medistely, others not for or two hours. / stad
two or three hours on board when the water had
nearly all been got out. Within two hours OF our
reaching land the floor of the cabins was ripped up,
and considered from the progress made in pumping
the chip that she would be freed in very short time.
The baggage was all on deck, and, consequently,
rot Damaged by the water. left the Empire State at
about 10 D. M, and took the for Frenchs Hotel.
STATEMENT OF MR.. HILTON OF BOSTON.
We left the Battery at the usual time. 1t grew
ou;.e thick in few minutes after we got in motion.
Tb;. xas about o'clock. l don't know exactly our
nositior but think we were somewhere near Black
r.ws Island. She struck quite heavily upon q rock
TIL. passengers we're vey much alarmed. The
90 oou,ss scrsamed and tainted g usuA GA