The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-09-21
PROBABLE LOSS OF TWO LIVES.
Fortunate Rescue of the Other
Passengers.
Conflicting Statements as to the Cause
Of the Accident.

minutes Of the time Of colidns The caused the
most intense excitement similar in its exhibition to that
occasoned by the news brought to this city early
Sunday morning, months ago of the explosion
board the steamer st. John. II known that the
Richmond was heavily freighted with passengers and
the friends of those OF whose presence board they
had been advised and others apprehensve that loved
ones daily expected home might be returning by this
route anxously sought the office of the HsRsLD. and
the Office Of the different companies, eager to learn all
the particulars they could Of the disaster The widest
aof of a1oat respecting the affair." all Of
them, as Is generally the at such tims.,
the intensely fearful kind, and asserting q lors OF
life sufficiently great excite in the highest ree the
fears and anxietes Of interested nqurers Gradually
the day advanced these set % into somehnu
eonnscted story far Jess exciting than the earlier
reports 1t was thus learned, and subsequent inquiry
served only to coroborte this statement that the Dean
Acl2.2nd e't Athens about ten o'clock the previous
to: .H- "ns ns u; board about hundred
and fifty passengers. The night clear with full
moon lighting the course Of the vessel The
Richmond proceeded her way without inter-
rupuon or thought of danger in the minds OF the
passengers, who retired to their about eleven
O'clock, until when JUS, below Rondout the steamer G.
Vanderbilt was observed approaching in direct line
towards the Richmond. Signals were at sounded
py each vessel but except from the respective pilots
rs not known how or in what order The effect how
evof was not to occasion any change in the course
conduct OF either vessel In avoidance OF collisions the
contrsry 1t is said the Richmond sheered slightly so as to
bring her across the OF the Vanderbilt that the
latter under ul head Of steam. struck the Richmond
op the sArboad sde about twenty feet aft OF the bow
crashing through the heavy timber into the saloon and
siaerooaS and, striking the hull below the line
saaklg a tremendous hole 10 her side. The violent
shock thus given both vessels speedily aroused the pas
SSnzers each, who, scarcely waiting to attire them
selves rushing from their sa,crooms to learn the
cause of the conclusion, the women shrieking
in agoniZed alright. At first II not
known which vessel had sustained the greatest
damage, and the CONSERVATION was about equal
on both decks but soon the rapidly gaming water gave
warning to those on the Richmond that she was in
sinking condition No time to be lost in providing
their safety and by the exertions OF the officers and
crew. OF the different vessels and portion of the male
passenc. they al transferred in safety 10 the
Vanderbilt which vessel being provided with water
tight bukhed forward, escaped the fate of the Rich.
number Of officer, belonging to the railroad and the
two steamboat companles le, this city by the twelve
O'Clock train for the scene Of the disaster and arrived
there at three O'clock when accomla nied By Captain
81. John. one Of the owners OF the ESn'nono' 'ney
visited ru, x.rcx rSss,1a
and there found steamboat Herald endeavorng 10
to her hurricane Deck the middle Of the river oppo
site Key's dock. two miles south Of Rhnebeck.
She heeed apor and her after saloon was nearly
broken off and partially turned up.
STATEMENT OF THE DEAN FIcHMoxps PILOT,
Mr.. Judson Morey, pilot Of the Dean Rich Redmond. in
Ysopus Island the latter blew two whistles for the
Dean Richmond TO go 70 the Left The second pilot OF
ahe Dean Richmond blew two whistles In response,
which meant call right" Then the Vanderbilt replied
with ono whistle, meaning go 70 the right The
Rich mond was already going to the left and blew seve
raj Whistles Indicating confusion, and then stopped
The collision took place almost Immediately afterthe
Vanderbilt striking the Dean Richmond on the sar,
cutting more than half way through her hull She
sunk in less than half an hour
The occurrence took place between eleven and twelve
o'clock.
Both steamers east OF and abreast Of Esopus
Island On west shore, gong up were the steamers
St John and Hero The Drew. soon after the collision.
took on the Dean Richmonds passengers conveying
chem TO New York, whittier they we're bound. The
sunken vessel had three hundred tons Of butter and
cheese on board, and was furnished In magnificent
style but it is expected tina, amos, all the furniture
that her cargo had shifted She lies IN thirty feet OF
water. and a,4P. NJ three steamers were pulling her
toward the Shore tho persons IN command having
concluded to fasten her TO the dock at Port Even.
MISSING PARTIES.
One waiter named John Manning, and the cook OF the
reported missing, but the officers and Others
ON the wreck and who board Of the boat at the
Of the accident that none OF the passengers
were lost.
great lot Of floating articles such rs trunks valiscs,
bedding &c, have been picked up by boats hired for
that purpose and early morning those present
the wreck engaged in taking from the saterooms
and pcus .hsm on board schooner where
they will be taken charge Of until claimed by the own
Where the wreck now lies there is but thirty feet OF
,chooners employed about her that great deal OF the
cargo and passengers baggage will be saved.
Another OF the case is that after the FIRST
whistle the Dean sheored and not being able to
herself, therefore gave four whistles TO notify the
Vanderbilt that she could not chanse her course, AMI
she then slowed and stopped and fung the bell rs ign
for the Vanderbilt to back and collision. Tho
latter did So bet in such manner as to strike the
Richmond with terrific force on her starboard bow.
Various stories aoa relative 10 the cause Of the
collision. The following statements have been made by
passengers in whose veracty reliance may be Placed
or q
went up on tho Dean Richmond on Wednesday, and
fearfully annoyed with the mosquitoes in my
state that my return changed and got bridal
room, the forward room OF the boat and opened
nv window let IN the fresh air. moved from
40 front the bow, and after sent
colored man TO fetch me some water from my other
room. I then went 70 the bow OF the boat and COM
menced smokingthis was about twenty minutes TO one
was about the only passenger on deck st this time
and could catch faint simmer Of some light nearly
half a mile OF. This as u afterwards appeared the
light OF the Vanderbilt coming down the river. I
watched her close and she coming in straight
line FOR boat. but thought she would turn OF IN
less the parties on board asleep. She did not.
however do so until, whom within fifty yards OF each
other Of the boats blew whistle and then both
turned sbarp but In the same drection-to the left
towards the New York shore. ! saw them approach
towards each other and whom within fifteen yards
sse ne rsn or my friends 3 get ,Se and routed
all the people could, and told them TO get up as the
boas we're going 70 strike. ! then ran .owsros 'ne
tho first saloon. when the crash came-and such crssh
never heard before This took place small distance
above Rondout had just Time TO run TO ny cabin and
save some OF my property, my watch ana money; out
my friends bad Just only time 70 save themselves
The two boats then stuck fast in each other and re-
manned 30 until the Dean began TO nkwhen the state
OF the Vanderbilt oil broken and was only
then the two steamers got ooss and the Dean Richmond
went down
the Vanderbilt struck the other in the bow and crush
ed Of the fret class state rooms and as the Rich.
mond sinking al the cabins on the Wander
Lilt Tue two boats presented very shattered ,rpear.
ance and the bow OF the Vanderbilt which was false
one, wss TO be seen oil banging In the water
There upwards OF one hundred and seventy pas.
sengen on the Richmond the greater number Of whom
were women and children. and the scene board both
Immediately before and after the collision, was very
citing. Women were running 70 and fro with scarcely
any clothing than their ghudrssses and children were
CRYING In every portion OF the boat People look
,na for their baggage, while others anxious IA
iesye II possible without any took two little chill.
dreu OIL and old lady, who chung 70 me- sayins
sue vas all alone With great excrs;ons the purpose
was carried out OF having al the passengers transferred
IN he Vanderbilt