Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-02-25
TIE NoRTHFLEEF LEE Z HORROR. q OR &. !.
Three Hundred Easigrants Engn7fsa Hero
go ism of tie Ships Captaiin-. Statements of
Suroigors- Interesting Incidents.
tFrom the London Times, january 2i

ISorthu"et, an emigraht ,Shlp,-,W was run down
while at anchor BY foreign steamer, aud
! more than 500 lives were lost The atmos-
phere at the time. was toerable clear, with
stars visible. but the weather looked threaten
ing. and as deadhead wind was blowing
several Onward bound ships had brought up
for the evening in this part Of the Channel
The Nnrthaeet was fine old ship of $40 tons,
hnilt some twenty years ago at cost Of $50.
600 She was lately chartered by the Grm of
Edwin Clark, Punchard Il Co.. of ictnria
s'ee., s W., contractors for the Tns,nanian
Main line Gompanv. to convey $50 railway
lahorers. with certain number of women and
children (under twelve years of age), to
Hobart Tnwn The Northfeet left the East
India Docks on Friday. the 7th instant with
her full compement of passengers. the Off
GERS and crew adding about forty souls and
completing living freight Of about 400 per
sons. Tiere we're not more than $50 tons Of
cargo on hoard, and these were chiefly iron
rails and railway material, all Of which was
slowed in the lower hold, the entire range of
the ship between decks having been fitted up
for passengers.
Almost at the moment of the ship leaving
the docks her commander during the last five
years, Captain Oates was stopped by .rea.
sury warrant Of subj tena to attend the forth
coming Tichborne trial The vessel was quite
ready to sail when the treasury warrant was
served, aud Messrs. Patton. having perfect
confidence in Captain Oates' chief officer. Mr.
Knowles, gave the command Of the ship to
him, aud allowed him to take on board with
hin the lady 10 whom he had been married
about Il mouth ago, and who is among the
few saved. After leaving Gravesend the
Northfcet encountered the full force of last
M thor Va, t.,i,, Il
felt it prudent tn anchor under the North
Forelaud. where she remained until Tuesday
On Tuesday. the weather having slightly
moderated. the N"rthGeet weighed anchor,
and sailed down the Channel and was re-
ported at l,!oyd's having passed Deal .'all
we'll" On Wednesday she came to an
anchorage at sunset IF Dnneeness, about two
,nles from shore in eleven fat hons of water,
and almost opposite the Coast"uard stntion
a bout 10 O'clock, =. NJ the ship was taut
and comfortable fer she night Almost all
the passengers had turned in, and none but
the usual officers and men of the wstch were
on deck just as the bells were striking the
half honr after 10 the watch observed a large
steamer outward bound in dangerous prox>
im;ty, coming down directly toward ttem.-
She appeared to be going ut full speed, and
the frantic shouts of the watch, who called
upon her to alter their course, ro1sed Cant.
knO|ieS, who was on the after deck q moment
before the steamer came broadside TO the
Norfhheets striking her almost amidships,
making clean breach in her timhers benea,
the water line, and actually crushing the mas
sivc tinbers travcr>D- the main deck. The
shock is described by the survivors to have
been ike the c0HcuSsOn ct very powerful
cannon. and one of the strsDgest features of
,ba &C M ~.
collision the steamer cleared the slip, and
before more than very few of the terrified
passengers below could reach the deck she
was altogether out of sight. Most of the pas
sengers were awakened by the shock, aud
fearful panic ensured.
Capt. Knowles on deck tnrne1ately
and acted with a calmness, prompt'tnde, and
decision that will cover his memory with
honor. Notwithstanding the cries of alarm
that were raised on board the emierant ship,
the steamer passed on her way without offer
inythe slightest assistance. Car tain Knowles
Immediately ordered rockets to be sent MP and
other signals Of distress TO he made. aud IN the
meantime directed the boats to be launched.
giving imperative orders that the women and
children should be frs; secured. There was
q disposition to set these orders at defiance,
and "n some of the crow crnw6ing to the
davits with view of cftcctng heir own safety
he drew revolver and declared he would
shoot the first uian who attempted save him
self before the women were cared for. Most
of the crew seemed to understand that the
captain to be trifled with, but one
man refused to obey the order. and the cap~
tain discharged the revolver. The bullet
entered the mans leg just above the knee
Meantime the pumps were set to work bnt
affpp ha ~
through the openings occasioned by the COL
lisicn.
The survivors describe the scene as heart
rending Many of the passengers were in
their night dresses, others had upon them
only such scanty clothing as thcv could secure
on quitting their berths. Children were
screaming for their parents and parents search.
ing in vain for their children while husbands
and wives were hope!essiy separated The
horror was increased by the darkness of the
night. The captains wife was placed with
other women in the long boat under the charge
of the bostswain but the tackle being 80 snd-
denly set adrift, the boat was stove in Bv
this time the City of London steam tug had
reached the sTot, having perceived the sig>
mails of distress, and succeeded in rescnng
nearly the whole of the occupants of the boat
as we'll as several others of the passengers and
crew. the plumber saved by the tug being
thirty>four. She remained cruising about the
spot till early yesterday morning, picking up
snch of the passengers as could get clear of
the wreck, aud in the hope of rendering as
sistance to those who had foated on fragments
of the ship after she settled down The
Kipssdown lugger Mary also rendered good
service. She was likewise attracted BY the
signals of distress, and succeeded in picking
birty Tha I'll
ter No. 3. and the Princess, stationed at
Dover. also got to the spot and succeeded in
rcscuihg twenty>one, ten Of them from the