New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-12
MARINE HORROR.
Paftichiars Of the Recent Disaster In
British Waters Terrible Scenes on
Rnnrh rLn SINKING shin.

British Waters Terrible Scenes on
Board The sinking Ship.
New YORK, February In the London
papers received to-day the details of the
terrible disaster to the ship Northheet are
published, from which it appears that at
half past ten o'clock at Dight the captain
and others were alarmed by cry from the
officer of the watch, "A steamer is right into
us :" The captain and pilot rushed on
deck, but before they got there the steamer
had run into their vessel, striking her amid
ships and cutting her below the water
max The carpenter quickly reported
her nearly half full of water. The pumps
were started promptly, and the crew
worked hard at them for some minutes bat
while it was found that the water was rap
idly gaining panic seemed to seize both
crew and passengers. and the officers could
not keep them in check. Crowds of men and
women had rushed up from their berths
many of them only half clothed. The pas
sengers had mostly retired, but few were
undressing. The noise of the collision is
likened by one of them to peal of thur-
der, and such was the violence of the shock
that those standing were Knocked down.
1t appeared the steamer rebOunded, and
came a second time in collision with the
Northtieet The water began to pour in.
and in a very short time the passengers
Quarters were swamped. The women were
slower to rush on deck than the men. and
many were not III condition TO 90 till the
water rose threateningly around them. No
one on board the steamer was heard 90
speak, although loud and eager shouts from
the NOrthtleet must have made her crew
aware Of the terrible danger that ex-
;sted, She backed for two or three
minutes, and then steaming away. was
soon out OF sight. For half an hour the
scene on the deck of the Northfieet was
appalling. Men were curSing and swear
ing and fought their way toward the boats,
while the captain and first mate roared out
commands to the men 20 keep back and
allow the women 20 get 20 the side OF the
vessel. but apparently without success.
Rockets were fired and blue lights burned.
The gun was loaded, but the screw Of the
ramrOd became detached from The handle.
and the piece could not be discharged. The
SIGNALS of distress were seen by several yes
sells, but appeared TO be regarded as signals
for a pilot, for no assistance was rendered.
Meanwhile the captain, finding the men de.
tprmined to leave the vessel, armed him
selt with revolver, and. ascending the
poop. declared his determination TO shoot
the first man who tried TO leave the veso
sci before the women were saved. The first
boat launched was lowered by a mum
b. OF passengers. by the ropes. There
being no ladder at hand. the only way Of
getting into II was by leaping or dropping
some twelve or fifteen teet. As there was q
terrible rush toward the boat, the scene
was one of distressing confusion, and
man and boy fell into the wateY and were
drowned. The officers did all they could
10 force the men who first got into the boa:
TO leave It. that the women might be saved.
but to no purpose. About thirty persons
having got into il, the boat put off. Not one
no in no Annthar
boat was then launched, and one man 90,
into it and was ordered 20 leave. but !e-
fused. and the captain shot him in the calf
OF the leg. Captain Knowles then placed
his wife in the boat and said 20 the boat
swain. who had already got in, Here is a
charge for you; loosen. take care Of her and
the rest. and God bless you W-inging
his wife's hand. he babe her goodbye. say.
ing."l shall never see you again" 1t is
impossible to describe the panic that ragged
all this time. Heartrending shrieks were
heard on ali sides.