The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-21

The Steiner Fort Lee Run Down by the Steamer
Nereus, OF the Boston and New York
Line-No Lives Lost.

About half.past six O'Clock yesterday morning the
steamer Nereus. OF the Metropolitan Outside Line,
between this city aud Boston, into and sunk the
steamer Fort Lee. just or pier No. North River.
The Fort Lee was at the time on her way to Fort
Schuyler, from whence she was to convey party
OF ladies and gentlemen over the course OF the
Williamsburg Yacht CLUB regatta, which took place
yesterday. immediately after she was struck her
pilot ran her ashore between pier No. and Castle
Garden, where she filed with water In about two
minutes. For the purpose Of aseertaining the full
particulars OF the occurrence representative OF the
HERALD was despatched to
THE s-ENE OF THE DISASTER
about eleven O'Clock yesterday morning, but finding
nothing OF the Lee above water but her pilot house
and smokestack, and none OF her crew In the vcin-
y, he betook himself TO pier II North River where
he found the Nereus moored. Going on board, he
was shown into the presence Of Captain Bearse her
commander. Introducing himself, ne requested the
captain to give his version OF the collision, that he
might lay it before the public.
"Well, what do you want me to say about 1t ?"
was the commanders first response to the report.
ers question.
81 merely wish you to give your version OF the &C.
cldent-teli me, In as brief manner as possible,
how 1t occurred and upon whom the responsibility
must fall"
coming from the East River around into the North
River, and he was going from the North River into
the East. When first saw him blew my whistle
once, which OF course meant that should pass him
on the port side, as the law requires. We were
going In directly opposite directions, and having
blown my whistle first had the right OF way. To my
surprise he blew two whistles and at once
PROCEEDED TO CROSS MY BOW.
l again sounded my whistle once and stopped my
engine. Seeing that the Lee kept on ner course
back ner, which he did promptly, but before our
Roadway could be checked we struck the Lee near
the forward gangway on the starDoard side cutting
her for the shore and ran her aground, where
you saw her, near Castle Garden. The damaVe
to my vessel Is very slight indeed, owing the fact
tna she Is abont i've times as large as the Fort Lee
and is very strongly built. Now you nave all know
about the AFFAIR."
Thanking Captain Bearse for his Kindness the re.
porter Withdrew ana again wended his way to the
scene OF the disaster IN hopes OF finding some one
there who could give
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.
After long ana dlligenJ search and inquiry an In
telligent appearing Hibernan was FOUND, who SAID
lie was one OF the five who composed the crew of the
Inflated Fort Lee at the time or The accident. He
OF course, claimed that his captain sounded his
whistle first, and that. as matter OF course he had
accident until after 1t had occurred as he was be-.
low; but he heard his captain say that he blew two
whistles before the Nereus blew any. They had no
particular difficulty IN getting OF, he said, there
soon as the vessel was struck. They were how
ever, unable 10 save anything but themselves and
all their personal effects were carried down with the
boar. AS for the captain, he said he the last man
to leave his craft, and as 1t was only quilt her when
1t had become utterly Impossible to save anything
or to do any good by staying.
From all that could he ascertalned the damage to
the Fort Lee will amount 10 something like fifteen
hundred dollars.