Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-02-21
Wreck Of the NOrthfeet-Inci-
dents of the Disaster.

10 accounts OF tue terrible disaster Wntc
met the ill-fated emigrant ship Northaeet, i
the English channel. on the night of th
22ud of January. Dispositions in regard
the matter, taken by the Collector of Gus
toms at Dover, contain much of interest
John Beveredgs, the
ONLY SURVIVING PASSENGER,
who saw the approach Of the steamer wbic
ran into the Northaset, says that she was
two masted screw, and that after the coll
sion be spoke the boat, telling it to stand b.
az there were 400 souls on board. He re
ceived no reply, nor did he see anybody o.
the deck of the strange boat. The nigh
was dark and DRILLING.
THE WATCH OF THE NoRTHFLEnr
hailed the steamer at least I've minutes be
fore the collision. 1t will be remembered
that the captain shot man for getting int
one of the boats, which were reserved 70
womea and children; this man was Thoma
Biddis. now lying in the Dover Hospital
He says as soon as he know that the vesse
had been struck be sprang out OF bed anc
ran upon deck; rockets we're fred, bell
rung, and the usual signals eff distress given
the pumps were worked for about tifteer
minutes, when it was found useless to worl
them any more.
The greatest confusion prevailed; women
were praying and screaming. BIT above al
could be heard the voice of Cap. Knowles
who stood at the wheel giving orders. HI
shouted, 1.-The women first! I'll blow any
mans brains out who attempts to get isto 8
boat" Bildis saw that the boats on bott
sides were being rapidly filed. and knowing
that his life was at stake, jumped into tht
boat at the stern, where the captains wife
was. The captain ordered him out, but ht
refused to 60, and was
FIRED AT TWICE,
one ball taking effect 10 bis log. Others
made for the boat. and, in spite of the cap
tain's revolver soon filed it, and were
rowed away to tug which was coming to
the rescue. Just as the tug was reached,
Biddis, by the CLEAN Of the last rocket in
the sky, saw the head of the Nort|Aset sink
slowly under the water. The crowded stern
rose up in the air and then. with loud rush
ing noise, disappeared under. leaving 400
people struggling in the waves.
Mrs. Sturgeon was rescued with her child
six months cid. She was in bed when the
collision took place, and with her husband
and baby reached the deck in time to get
into the life boat. Her husband threw her
child after her and it was caught. She says
the captains vito wanted to stay on deck
and 60 down with him, but this he would
not permit. He was about thirty years old
and had been married ouly six months
One OF the surviving sailors says that Mrs.
Knowles twas pretty little thing, quite q
girl in her ways She had gone to bed
but when the crash came she ran on deck tc
her husband, who put
HIS ARM AROUND HER WAIST,
and, calling out to the boatswain. said DO
sen. I'm going to do my work right through
up hero, but just look after my wife, and see
her safe into the boat" The boatswain die
80, and just az the boat pushed off the cap
tain waved bis hand aud said, Goodbye
my dear, goodbye" and to this tho wife re
piled, Goodbye. my love, don't expec
to sec you any more" John Brown, Ia
berer, saw q father and two sons struggling
in the water; the father was an old man
the elder son said family. "Let me kiss you
father. for my last, for We shall all b.
drowned ;" both sons kissed the old man
and all went down. -~ When Brown himself
was swimming away he was pulled down b,
a woman who wanted him to take her ane
her child on his back 1t was impossible
and both were drowned. A passenger say
that only
FOUR OF THB NINETY WOMEN
on board got into the boats, tho majorit
acting as if they were crazy. Men pushe'
them aside and made for the boats th
boatswain cursed and swore at them ant
fought them. but to no use The captain
pulled out his pistol and said, "Get back i
you sre men and let the women pass. B
CID I'll shoot the mex i man that gets in til
boat" and. though he used his weapon,
was to no purpose. All the accounts agre
as touching the admirable conduct of tn
captain aud the officers generally 1t seem
certain also that the steamer which stove il
the Northfeet, and for the discovery G
which large reward has been offered, Nigh
have saved the passengers. She merely re-
verso her wheels and disappeared in til
darkness.
THE COMING WOMAN Under this hea
the New York "Sun' tells Of party give
one evening last week by the parents Of
young miss of eleven years, at the re.ideuc
10 Brooklyn. the guests being exclusivel
the companions. msls and female, of tn
daughter referred to. We quote:
The party was a full dress affair, tn
hours appointed being from 8 p. m. to 2 a
m. From 100 to ITS guests were present
The dresses consisted of white, pink, yellow
lavendar and ciel blue silk, elaborated
trimmed with spangles. The hair was pow
dered and adorned with flowers. -Four bu
toned white kid gloves wsro generally worn
while French kid boots, matching the dres
in color, encased the feet. Oaly one thin
was lacking in the miniature represeltssio
Of an adult party, viz: epameled facet
Powder, however, was freely used, but q
artitticsly as to almost defy detection.
One little child of seven summers was al
rayed in rose col,red silk, seven dollar
per yard. trimmed With three point appliqu
AQnncos; a galaxy of diamonds and othe
expensive jcwslry; a gold belt. the buckl
of which was literally covered with diamonds
band Of gold encircled the head, and fro1
pendant therefrom sparked solitaire {
great value. Her mother was heard to ez
claim exultiugly that the price Of her child
outfit for that evening was 81 600.
The young gentlemen, whose ages range
from nine to fourteen years, were general
attired in black dress coats, light pants, an
lavender neckties. Their ambition was 81