Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-07
COLLISION AT SEA.
Steamship Pooahontas Sunk.
FORTY PERSONS DROWNED.
Fdfal Collision at Sei-A Steam Transport Sank
Forty Persons Lost Taty are Mostly Dis
charged Soldiers

The United States steam transport City of
Bath, Capt Lincoln, hence, June Mt II q. nj,
bound TO Washington, d. c., returned to New
York. having been in collision with the
steamship Pocahontas from New Orleans, near
Cape May, having her bows stove in and stern
carried away. The Poclhontas sunk ia twenty
five minutes, carrying down with her about forty
of her passengers aud crew. Capt Lincoln ro-
ports: The City Of Bath left New York June !,
at / n. m, bound to Washington, d. G. AT
ll.50 p. m. made a steamers light ahead put
our helm aport to clear her Mt the same time
the Poeahontas helm was put 10 starboard, and
the two boats came together, the City of Bath
striking the POcahOntas about the fore rigging
backed off from her aud found that we were
leaking badly; commenced throwing overheard
cargo TO tighten her forward and succeeded in
stopping the leak ; sent our boats to the assist
ance OF the other vessel, and lay by the place
until daylight in hopes to fnd more of her people
IA large number having already been received
On board,) but picked up only one; at the time
of the collision Cape May Light Ship bore south
west II miles.
The passengers lost were soldiers discharged
or on lnrough. The Pocahontas was a screw
steamer, Of about 500 TOMS commanded by John
Baxter OF llyannis and sniled from New tJrenns
on the 18th of May, with l0l souls on board -
She had rendered good service to the Government
during the Texan expedition under Cen Banks
The voyage up TO the time Of the disaster was
unusually pleasant. The Captain (Baxtei) was
in feeble health. With the consent of the Chief
Quartermaster of the Department of the Gulf, he
had placed in charge Captain Samuel Baxter, an
efficient olhcer of much experience. All the off
GERS did their very best TO render the passage a
pleasant one On board of the steamer was the
body Of the noble Captain Frank B. Halleok, Co.
II, Scotts Nine Hundred, in charge of his
brother, Capt. Harvey llalleck On Wednesday
night, June ], the night being dark aud hazy. a
steamers light was seen Within few hundred
yards OF the Pocahontas. Capt. Baxter aud off
GERS were on the lookout. Soon our whistle was
| blown very loud several times. The Pocahontas
was making 10 or II knots through the water.
by steam aud heavy press of canvas. Every
| thing apparently was done to prevent a disaster.
but, by some fatal mistake of the helmsmen on
both steamers, the ships came in collision. The
City Of Bath, bound to Washington with Govern
ment stores, ran into the Pocahontas, bow on.
striking her on the starboard side just abaft the
fore rigging. 1t being nearly IL o'clock, most Of
| the passengers had retired to their berths many
Of whom soon started for the upper deck
The two Captains soon discovered that the
vessel was sinking. The bORts were ordered to
be lowered Immediately the engine was stop
ped. The two vessels remained humping each
other for few minutes, and then separated. -
One Of three boats during the excitement was
swamped, and the other two did what they could
to save the poor souls already ahoat, for the
Pocahontas went down in about twenty minutes.
Planks and ladders we're thrown overheard and
Captain Lincoln of the City of Bath threw over
board scores Of cork life-preservers, but the sea
Yas high, and wind fresh, which caused many of
| the poor fellows to sink into a watery grave A
chaplain in the U. S. Army, an invalid on leave
of absence to his family, stad by the ship to the
last, encouraging the men, and threw many
| planka into the water, aud kept saying, hold on.
boys, until he was quite hoarse, aud when the
ship was going down, bow first, the Chaplain de
liberately took off his overcoAt and plunged into
the sea. He swan of as iust as he could, not
having been able to secure q plank or life nre-
server for himself He providentially relched
the stern of one OF the boats exhausted, aud was
kindly helped in by two men already in the boat
, There not being sufficient mems TO keen the
| water out Of the b0ns, the Chaplain gave lis can
\ to one of the sailors to bail with. This boat
which was under the charge Of Captain Samuel
Baxter, did good service by picking up many a
soldier near the jaws Of death. one of the
soldiers saved had but one arm, having lost the
other in the battle of Pleasant itill, La. His
name is Tension, and helougs to the veteran 2I
| New FORK Regiment
The survivors have been very kindly received
on board CT the City of Bath. Capt. Lincoln was
compelled to throw overheard much of his cargo
to deep his own ship from sinking. lie eremained
near the spot until morning, abd had the satis
faction Of saving one poor fellow who bad hueqed
up to good plank all night. The scene is be-
yond description. Many have been saved with
out hat or shoe. losing everything but their
lives. MIR. Duncan, second officer of the Poem
hontns, deserves much praise for his great exer
tlons in saving many who were ready to perish
There is an excellent chance for the geatlemen
of the Christian and Sanitary Commissions To do
good Many of the soldiers hnve no means 10
reach their homes in comfort Many of the des.
titnte may be found on hoard of the City OF Bath
for day Or two-N. T. Tribune.