The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-04
DISASTER ON THE SOUND.

Collision Between the Steamers City Of BOs.
ton and State Of New YOrl<-Boiler ExplO.
sion-The Damage DOne-Scalded and In.
jured PersOus-Frightful Sceues-Thc Rescu.
ers.
To the seeker Of the beautiful In nature to tourists
generally. Long Island Sound, with its grand sur
Toundings, Its winding landscape and the calm
beauty Of encircling hills Ia peculiarly fascinating
Now and then the placid bosom of this broad
expanse Of water loses Its quietness and animated
by stormy recklessness, becomes more charming
to the romantic and adventurous spirit. Here weary
men and women can forget the sweat and dust Of
the city for while. Here cares perplexities and
rude ostings Of opposing interests may be forgotten
Here indeed, could there be real pleasure in summer
travel II the safety Of the public was assured against
accidents that by foresight and precaution might
be avoided. Periodically, It seems, Is II news
came OF shattered hulls, hair.breadth escapes
with the sufierings and terrors Of helpless
women and defenceess children, from some part Of
the sound First there are really obstacles Of nav
cation that detract somewhat from the security
which inland voyages should present where almost
within Q biscuit toss there Is land. Hell Gate
with its numerous rocks, rough, jagged and solid
that closely border the channel through which
steamers have to pass, and concealed a. they
are just below the surface of the swim flowing stream
makes navigation Q matter here Of the creates
danger. The least swerving of the passing vessel
from Its In the centre Of the tortuous channel
almost certain to bring Its bows with an unplea-
SAINT thump on some crock OF lagos" whose hidden
hard crest fails to penetrate the imbers Of the
staunchest stoutest ship This cannot be avoided but
where the broad expanse Of waters offers the widest
berth for neet as large as sailed the ocean
there must be negligence somewhere when vessels
collide, when the broadsides and tmbers of the
crafts styled Sound palaces" meet each other and
shiver timber upon timber, sending II not death, sur
ferng to those who have entrusted themselves to the
OF their officers. SO much OF this has occurred
In times gone by that the pleasant and poeti.
cal tinge to q Sound journey has, but not
Justly so, given place to an anticipation that
the next intelligence will be worse fearful than
that already heard, as 1t comes waiting to the
cepton Of friends and the public.
The terrors Of that which can occur to the gilded
vessels that ply this body OF water have a vivid
realization in the casualty that befe the steamers
City OF Boston, of the Norwich and New York
line, and the State Of New York, Of the
Hartford line, on Thursday evening. These vessels
had not to buffet wild waves but met with the ter
rors Of collision near the hour Of midnight that was
accompanied by suffering Of some OF their psssen-
gers that yet though 1t Is prayed not, may end in
death.
All the Boston steamers recently owing to circum-
stances have been especially noteworthy In their
tual opposition, carrying hundreds even thousands
Of passengers ct single trip making the
best possible time-n word, adding to the plethorc
character Of their respective company's pockets,
with as little possible comfort to the majority Of their
respective patrons can beconvenienty sanctioned.
Since this improvident action there has been but
little delay and little risk to them In their numerous
trips until Thursday night brought scenes OF con-
fusion, danger, wounds and threatening appearance
of death TO the passengers of the above steamers.
. tor where ringing bells end roaring whistles