The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-02-13

The following is the first intelligent
account we have received Of this terrible
disaster. in which over 800 lives were
lost: "t' egg" &atn
The man Thomas Biddiss, says the
dover correspondent OF the London
DGtGy Telegraph, who was shot by the
Captain of the Nortbhcet, is at the Do
yer Hospital and MIR. Grandson, the
house surgeon. extracted tn. bullet from
his leg last night. The miss lie is of lead
and weighs fifty grains. Fortunately
the bone OF the leg was not injured, and
the man is progl essing favorably. He
has made rather important statement,
to the follow ing effect He retired to
rest about 1917 on the evening OF the
SEd, and he thinks he had been in bed
not more than half an hour when the
vessel received very severe shock. OnI
getting up he ascertained that the vessel
had been run into by steamer; and
almost Immediately after lie received
this information, the ships carpenter,
having examined the injured part of the
vessel, gave the order for all hands TO
get on deck as quickly as possible, for
the vessel was sinking. Biddiss went
mp on deck with the rest, where q scene
OF great confusion presented itself. The
unfortunate emigrants were streaming
On to the deck, half-dressed and, almost
mad with frig hit. Rockets were fired
off, bells were ruug, and the usual signals
of distress were all quickly given. Bid
/ no laarc nnL, Iaip
| fired. The pumps were set to work
almost immediately, and nearly every
one on hoard the vessel worked with
hearty good wilt for about fifteen min
utes. Every efert to gain on the water
ceased, however, when at the expiration
OF that time it was discovered that the
water had reached the second deck.
Blddiss very much wanted to save some
thing that he had in his11chcst below
and left the pumps to go down for that
purpose, when he found that the water
had air 3ady reached the top of the steps
| leading down to the deck where his
cabin was situated. Tne confusion now
! Increased on deck. Some men were
rushing about to find their wives and
children some were preparing for the
awful catastrophe which they knew must
soon opportunities they received help
from tae shore or from passing vessel
by laying hold Of spare spars, ladders,
pals, etc., indeed anything that would
float; while others were rushing franti~
cally TO the boats. But amid all was
heard the firm voice OF Captain Knowles,
who, having seen his wife into one of
the boats, stood at the wheel, giving
directions for the firing of signals, and
devIsing the best means for saving as
many lives as possible out of the 400
1.-THE women frst," he cried. sI'll blow
the mans brains out that dares to get
into boat" But this threat came al :.
most too late. Biddiss saw that the boats
on either side were filing fast with men,
and seeing no reason why he should not
make an effort for his life as we'll as the
rest, be jumped into the boat, at the
stern In which the Captains wife was
sitting uQder the care. of the boatswain,
and CT ouched up at the bow. Captain
Knowles saw the movement, and, anx.
lous that every opportunity of escape
should be given to the frightened women
he ordered him out. Bddiss knew that
the vessel would sink almost Immediate
ly he got Oh board again, and that this
was the last chance OF escape SO he resO
lutely refused to obey orders. The
Captain repeated the order, and threat.
ened to fire If it was not obeyed. The
Ooatswain, who had charge of the Cap
tain's wife, endeavored to force him out,
but it was of no avail. Captain Know
les lnotioned ID the boatswain to stand
clear, and discharged his revolver at
~, CT
ball pass over his head. The Captain,
discovering that the first shot had not
hit its mark, fired again at the unfortu-
nate man, and this time with effect; for
the ball imbedded itself in the flesh Just
above the left knee. Biddiss almost |
forgot the pain which followed : for the
shrieks and cries for help proceeding
from the now fast sinking vessel were
awful. almost drowning the sound of
the alarm-bell, which rang necessarily. |
The boat in which Biddias had escaped |
but with bare life was still lying along |
side, and the poor wretches On the YES
sci, finding that it was the only available
chance Of saving their lives, made rush
at the stern to get In, but Captain Know
les still pcrsevered in endeavoring to
save the women. Again the revolver
was raised at the first man who entered
the boat. The trigger was pulled, but
fortunately for the poor fellow, nickna-
med by the crew Billy Ducks, the pis-
tol missed fire. The boat was soon en-
tered by five others and, before Captain
Knowles could offer any further remon-
strances, the ropes were cast off, and the |
boat was rowed hurriedly away to tug,
which had just steamed up to the spot,
and lit up the horrible scene with red
lights. Hardly had the boat, which
contained nine persons-namely, 1.-The
-. L 4. L. En1aan L.,