The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-23
ACCIDENTS ON THE SOUND.
The Old Colony Steamer Ashore mt Harris
Island-FOrtunnte Escape of the Pnssengers.

Isiand-FOrtunate Escape of the Passengers.
At half-past four O'Clock yesterday morning while
feeling her way In dense fog through the Sound,
the steamer Old Colony Of the FAN River line, ran
at low water on the point OF land which joins the
southeast end of Harris Island tearing away, as far
as is known portion of the planking, but leaving
her framework intact.
The pilot had mistaken his course, 1t is said by
about half point, ana before he could fully check
the speed of the boat she ran bow on TO the shore
until her forward part was lifted clean out OF the
water, leaving the stern immersed in il about three
fathoms. 1t was exceedingly calm, however, and no
sea, ese from the exposed position Of the point the
boat would have been beaten to pisces md perhaps
many of her passengers, OF whom there were about
800 have lost their lives.
Fortunately at about six O'Clock, the pilot Of The
steamer Stonington-who was pursuing his usual
course on his way to this city, which skirts the point
OF land which tho Old Colony was stranded,
where the water even close to the shore is from
seven to ten fathoms in depth-heard signals from
steam whistle and bells, and stopping his engine,
slgnaIed i'll return. The result was that the Stonng
ton was steered close to the stern OF the Old Colony
where she was made fast, and gang panks being
run out the passengers and baggage, without an ac
cident, haste disorder, taken on board and con-
veyed TO this city at ten A. M.
The Old Colony Is a staunch and swift boat. She
was built in this city in 1866 by j. Engls son. Her
engines were made at the Alaire Works. The boilers
are two In number and OF the tubular kind having
In each boiler sixty tubes pipes. She is $40 feet in
length fortyhree feet breadth of beam and fourteen
feet three inches depth of hold. When loaded her
draught Is ten feet six inches. The Old Colony is
substantially constructed OF white oak and hemlock
and fastened with "copper" iron and tree nails. The
saloon and cabin, magn6centy upholstered are on
the promenade deck and are large and thoroughly
ventilated.
The point Of land on which the Old Colony ran Is
exceedingly dangerous to vessels passing Harts
Island in a fog, Storm when the ice chokes the
East river About four weeks ago, it will be remem
bcred, the Galatea ran ashore at this place and was
with great difficulty got or and repaired; and other
steamboats,, perhaps more by good fortune than
management, have at various times just escaped and
no more, being wrecked at this particular part Of
the Sound For some years the government has
been asked to place light ana fog
signal at this point and the Lighthouse Board
has promised to make adequate provision for
the safety OF vessels passing near the island,
but thus far has failed TO carry out its
intentions There is placed on the point by private
enterprise bell bat its ringing in the event of fog
TO warn vessels from the island Is uncertain. 1t is in
no one persons charge and pilots OF Sound steam
boats never rely upon it. Had II been rung yester
day the suanding the Ola Colony would have been
avoided. As ii ~, the public and the owners OF the
boats OF the Fail River line are TO be congratulated
that the accident IL no worse. Had IL been in the
night time and during a storm many lives would
have been lost and the boat utterly destroyed.
The Metropolis will take the place OF the Old
Colony