New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-11
DISASTER TO THE STEAMBOAT C. WANDER
BILT

SAFETY OF THE Boat AND PASSENGERS.
Last nj ht the Stopirgton steamboat c. Vanderbilt,
Capt Sturgis, on her way from this city to Bosom,
met with disaster in passing Hell Gate that threst-
cred to have very grave termination. While going
through the channel Eighysixth street, slooP
attempted to cross her bows, and, missing stays in
going about lay helpless in her path. Another ves'
gel at the same tins up the other side of the
channel obligipg the Captain to either run them both
down or to stop his engines. He did the latter, aud
was swept ashore on Flood Rock. The story is well
told by passenger, who kindly furnished AS with
statement OF the facts:
STATEMENT OF MR. C. 3. LYMAN, OF Providence.
Weeft the city for Stopington, with about loO pas
seugers at the usual hour, and proceeded pleasantly
enough until Hell Gate, when passing Flood k)cS,
at the foot Of ghy.sxth street, Two sailing vessels
sppearsd bearing down directly toward us. Inc quot
saw that he must either down one or both OF these
vessels sacken bis speed he chose tae latter alter
native, and the engines were stopped. Inc ooal no
sooner lost her headwsy than the current, which was
very rapid at this point swept her brosdsi1e against
Flood Rock where che struck heavily. and remained
fast. There was, of course Considerable CONSERVATION
among the Passengers, but quiet was soon tesIoreu
when il was found that there was 10 immediate dan
ger. The steamboat had barely got aground, when
one Of the soops which had mpeded her progress and
caused the disaster into her larboard side, near
the after gapgwsy, her bOwsprt passing right
nately person was injured. The bo~sprt OF the
soop broken off, but she remained hard and fast
alongside of the steamboat her rigging and the stump
Of her bowepr having caught in the timbers OF the
hull The other sloop struck her on her rward quar-
ter but did not DO her any serious damage. Captain
Stmges and his engineer promptly set the Worthngon
pumps at work bat the Vanderbilt made very little
water, their services were not requref. number OF
persons put of from the shore in row. boats
the position Of the Vanderbilt was known, to render
assistance, if necessary, in saving her psssengers
There was, however, occasion Tor ealing them
into requisi,ion; and if there had been, 1t Is
very doubtful if they would have been able TO
reach the steamer on account of the swift
ress of the current. The Fall River aod New.
London steamboats, passed after the sccdent and
though informed by signal OF the situation OF the
Vanderbilt they did not stop 70 render her any as''s
apce. Two small stesu-tugs, engaged in towing yes
sells through the Gae speedily can to her assistance
and, taking of her passengers and mails, conveyed
them in safety TO Pier No. North River. 10 toe
Of tbs disaster, no blame can be attached TO
the officers of the Vanderbilt.
As es the mails and passengers were landed at
the pier Of the Company, notice ives gwen 10 Mr..
Edwards the actirg agent, OF The accident 10 the an
derbilt ana he, with the mail agent and the officer IN
charge Of the baggage, at once embarked on the tug
and returned to the scene Of the disaster. As
pected, at hgh.water, shortly after y O'Clock, toe
Vanderbilt began 10 float, and arrangements were III
uedIately made to move her away from the place oil
dsaster. The tOw-bOat j. ID. Sscor took her IN tow
her own engine being worked sowy, aud conveyed her
to Hurterss Point where she will be- put OF the dock
for epeirs The tow boat Samson was also 10 com
psny the Vanderbilt AM her convoypa'sed downthe
riyer. A barge had been procured early 10 the eyea
irg 10 which the freight transferred, and taken
10 the regular steamboat landing.