The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-10
COLLISION IN THE BAY, OFF THOMAS

COLLISION IN THE BAY, OFF THOMAS
POINT, BETW ZEN THE STEAMERS BALTI-
MORE AND PATAPSC0.-THE BALTIMORE
SUNK-SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS AND
CREW.
On Tuesday night, about half past eight o'clock,
a collision took place in the Bay, off Thomas
Point, between the steamer Baltimore, Captain
Walters, from Havana, and the steamer Patapsco,
Captain Layleld, bound for Charleston. The Bal
timore had her stem and cut water carried away,
and the Patapsco was struck forward of the fore
chains, cutting her down about three panks below
the lower deck water ways, taking away rails, fore
and aft, with quarter deck and davits. The Pa
tapsco not seriously injured to prevent her
returning to the city, which she did, arriving at
Locust Point about one O'Clock. Immediately after
the collision, Captains Walters and Layfed en-
quired of each other as to the amount of damage
done, and Captain Walters was not aware at the
time that the Baltimore was in a sinking condition.
As soon he found that it was impossible
for him to reach the city, he gave orders
to run ashore, but it was impossible, and
the steamer sank rapidly. Preparations were made
for the safety of the passengers flour in number)
and the crew (seventeen) by putting the boats
ahoat, but fortunately before they left the sinking
vessel the steamship VIM jenkins, Captain Hallett
of the Boston line, hove in sight, and a boat was
despatched to hail her. The steamship came along
side and took off the passengers and crew, and
brought them to the city. The best order prevail
ed after the disaster among the crew. and the conduct
of Captain Walter spoken of in the highest terms
The Baltimore sunk in half an hour after the COLI
sion Captain Halletts kindness and attention to
the passengers and crew of the steamer Baltimore
are highly commended by them.
The Baltimore is new vessel, having been built
by Messrs John A. Robb, and Co., for Messrs
Friend Ricketts, and Co., and delivered to that firm
about the first of January last. She specially
intended for the Havana trade, and this was her
tri,, Shal Loft hat Of Sn'n tbn
ight of the Sd inst, and if the accident had not
taken place, would have made a very quick passage
Her cargo consisted of sugars, cigars, and fruits and
was valued at 10000, and unsigned to Friend
Ricketts, and Co., although they were merely con-
signees the articles belonged to various firms in
the City beside themselves. The cargo under
stand was pretty fully insured The cost of the
steamer Baltimore $50, 900, and she was insur-
ed in New York offices to the amount of $50, 600.
| Yesterday the underwriters were busy making in
! quiry regards the causes of the accident. The
| following statement of Captain Layfeld of the Pa
tapsco was yesterday placed in the Exchange Rea
| ding rooms.
The Patapsco left the wharf at ~ o'clock, yes
terday p. NJ, for Charleston. At So o'clock at
night, II miles below Thomas Point made steam
err Baltimore, from Havana, on our port bow, and
as she neared the Patapsco's beam was put ap0rt
as customary, and the usual whistle signal given;
but the steamer Baltimore came nearer it was
discovered that she had her helm put starboard
| and was heading for us.
| Some officer on board the Baltimore gave two
blasts of the whistle and requested to starboart
our helm; hut it was too late and she struck the
Patapsco lust forward of the fore chains, cutting
her down abont three planks below the lower decl
water ways, taking away rails fore and aft, will
quarter boat and dayits.
| | requested the Captain of the Baltimore to stay
bv us till could ascertain the amount of damage
which he agreed to do, and after getting clear o
us he came alongside, inquiring if | wanted any as
sistance, and | told him did not. AT the sam
time some OF board the B. said he thought we wer
settling fast in the water. We then parted com
pany and the Patapsco returned slowly up the ba,
to Baltimore; all hands supposing the other steam
er doing the same, as we were lead to beliey
she had not sustained any material damage.
Subsequently,, not seeing her following, con
cluded she had anchored to wait for daylight.
stopped at Locust Point through the night. Earl
this morning the steamer William Jenkins passed
up and reported to me that the Baltimore had sunk
and that the William jenkins had the crew o
board Capt. Walters, OF the Baltimore, when h
endured if we wanted any assistance, did not repor
any serious damage to his vessel.
(Signed) l.. ii. LAYFTELD,
Master of the Steamship Patapsco.
The following statement was made by Capital
Walter of the Baltimore, and given to the repol
ter:
Steamship Baltimore, from Havana, bound
Baltimore in proceeding up the Bay, 81 3O' z. M
about seven miles below Thomas Point saw
steamer which proved to be the Patapsco, abou
one point and half on the starboard bow, kept tf
vessel more to westward, as we were approachin
each other the Patapsco's green light was In sigh
which we supposed all clear until she wa
nearly to us, when the Patapsco gave one blast {
the whistle, but seeing all her lights, then KNOWN
it impossible to clear her by putting our helm |