New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-03
COLLISION AT SEA.
poCAHoNTAs SUNK.
FORTY PERSONS DROWNED.
Fatal Collision AZ sea-A Steam Transport
Supk-Forty Persons Lost-Thcy arc
Mostly DISCHARGED Soldiers.

| The United States steam-transp0rt City OF
Bath Capt. Lincoln, hence June l. at II a. m. bound
Washington, d. c. returned to port last night hav
ing been in collision with the steamship Pocahontas
from New Orleans near Cape May, having her bows
stove in and stern carried away The Pocahontas
sunk In IS minutes carrying down with her about forty
Of her passengers and crew. Capt Lincoln reports:
The City Of Bath left NewYork June ], at II a. w..
bound to Washington, D. c. At ll.5O ?. m. made
steamers light ahead; put helm aport to clear her;
at the time the Pocahontass helm put to star
board and the two boats came together the City Oh
Bath striking the Pocahontas about the fore rigging;
backed off from her and found that We were leaking
badly; commenced throwing overheard cargoto Tighten
her forward and succeeded in stopping the leak sent
boats the assistance Of the other vessel and lay
by the place until daylight in hopes to find Of her
people 10 large number having already been received
board but picked up only one; at the time Of the col
sion Cape May Light.Ship bore southwest II miles.
The passengers lost were soldiers discharged
farlough. The Pocahontas a screw-steamer, u
about 500 tuns commanded by John Baxter Of Hyanns
and sailed from NewO on the cath Of May with
Ol souls board She had rendered good service to
the Government during the Texan expedition under
Gen Banks The voyage up to the time Of the disaster
was unusually pleasant The Captain Baxter was in
feeble health. With the consent Of the Chief Quarter
master Of the Department Of the Gulf he had placed in
charge Capt Samuel Baxter an efficient officer Of much
experience All the officers did their very best to rem
der the passage pleasant On board Of the steamer
the body Of the noble Capt Frank B. Halleck Co.
K SCOTS Nine Hundred in charge Of bis brother Capt
Harvey Halleck On wednesday night June l. the night
being dark and hazy steamers light was seen within
few hundred yards OF the Pocahontss. Capt Baxter
M. Coo~ b;,&t.c
blown very loud. Several times the Pocahontas was
making 10 or II knots through the water by steam and
heavy press Of canvas. Everything apparently was
done prevent disaster but, by fatal mistake
OF the helmsmen on both steamers. the ships came in
collision The City of Bath, bound to Washington with
Government stores ran into the Pocahontas, bow on
striking her the starboard side Just aba the fore
rigging /. being nearly II O'Clock most OF the passen
gers 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 boats ordered to be lowered
Immediately; the engine was stopped The two yes.
sells remained humping each other for few minutes,
and then separated One Of three boats during the
element was swamped, and the other two did what
they could the poor souls already aoa, for the
went down in about 20 minutes Panks
and ladders were thrown overheard and Capt Lincoln
of the City Of Bath threw overheard Of cork e
prescryers but the sea was high and wind fresh which
caused many Of the poor fellows to sink into O wstery
grave chaplain in the L. S. army, an invalid on
leave OF absence his family stad By the ship to the
last encouraging the men, and threw many panks into
the water and kept saying, Hold on boys untiihe was
quite hoarse, and vhen the ship was going down, bow
frst the Chaplain deliberately took of his oveTcost
and plunged into the He swan of as fast Ga be
could not having been able to secure q plank or life
preserver for himself He providentiaDy reached the
stern Of one Of the boats exhausted and was kindly
helped in by two already in the boat There not be-
ing sufficient means to keep the water out OF the boats
the Chaplain gave his cap Of the sailors to bail
with. This boat which under the charge OF Capt.
Samuel Baxter, did good service by picking up manga
soldier near the jaws of death. One Of the soldiers
saved had but arm having lost the other In the bat
tie Of Pleasant Hill La His is Tension, and be-
longs to the veteran ID New. York Regiment
The survivors have been very kindly received on
board Of the City Of Bath. Capt. Lincoln was com.
PEELED to throw overheard much Of his cargo TO keep his
own ship from sinking lie remained near the spot I'M
til morning and had the satisfaction Of saving one poor
fellow who had Rugged up to good plank all hignt.
The scene is beyond description. Many have beeEs
saved without hat or q shoe, losing everything but
their lives. Mr.. Duncan. second officer OF the foca-
hontss deserves much praise for his great exerons IN
saving many who were ready to perish. there Is an
excellent chance for the gentlemen OF the Christian aho
SANITARY Commissions 70 do good. Many Of the SOL
diers have no means 70 reach their homes IN com,
fort Many Of the destitute may be found on board Oh
the City Of Bath for day or two.
Wounded New.York Omcers.