New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-08
THE NORTHFLEET DISASTER.
DETAILS OF THE COLLIsION-GALLANT CONDUCT
OF TIE CAPTAIN OF TIE NORTHFLEET.

DETAILS OF THE COLLIsION-GALLANT CONDUCT
OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE NORTHFLEET.
The following account Of the collision that
place off DuDgeness England, between the North
fleet and vessel supposed be the Murillo, at
Cadiz Is taken from Tae London Tunes OF JAM "a:
on Wednesday night shortly after IL O'Clock.
an appalling catastrophe occurred in the Channel few
miles from Dover. The Northheet, an emigrant ship,
down while at anchor by foreign steamer. and
more than 300 lives were lost The atmosphere at the
time tOlerably clear, with stars visible, but the
weather looked threatening, and as dead head-wind
was blowing, several outward-Dound shlps ha1 Orought
up for the evening in this part OF the Channel Tho
ago at cost of $4,000 By Pitcher at the Kentsh
riverside village from which she took her name Sho
afterward became the property OF Duncan Dun
bar aud at his death sold to John Patton, Co.
tered by the firm OF Edwin Clark Punchard Co. OF
yicora-st, $. W. contractors for the Tasmanan Main
certain number Of women, aud children under II years
Of age, Hobart Town. The Norhfeet left the East
India Docks Friday, the 18th inst, with her full com
pement OF passengers, the officers and crew adding
about 40 souls, aud completing living freight of about
to an anchorage at sunset off Dungeness about
two miles from shore, in what is stated 10
tween No and No Batteries, and almost opposite the
Coastguard station About 10 o'clock p M the ship was
sengers had turned in and none but the usual officers
were striking the hafhour after 10 the watch observed
large steamer outward bound In dangerous proximity
coming down directly toward them. She appeared TO be
going at full speed and the frantic shouts Of the watch
who called upon her to alter their course, reused
Can't Knowles, who was on the after deck q
moment before the steamer came broadsids 70 the
Northheet, striking her almost amidshlps, making q
actually crushing the massive tmbers traversinR the
main deck The shock described by the survivors To
have like the conclusion Of very powerful cannon
and the srangest features OF the catastrophe s
that Immediately after the collision the steamer cleared
ship and before than very few OF the terrified
passengers below could reach the deck she was alto
gether out OF sight.
Most OF the passengers were awakened by the shock
q fearful ensued. Capt. knowles deck
Immediately and acted with calmness, prompttude,
and decision that viii cover his memory with honor.
Notwithstanding the cries OF alarm that raised
board the emgrant ship the steamer passed her way
without Offering the slightest assistance. Capt
Knowles Immediately ordered rockets to DO sent
up and other signals OF distress TO be made
be launched. giving Imperative orders that the
safety OF the women and children should be first
secured There disposition TO these orders at
defiance and OF the crowding the davts
with view OF eifeetlng their safety, he drew
vOlyer and declared he would shoot the first who
attempted to himself before the cared
for Most of the crew seemed 70 understand that the
captain was not TO be rhed with, but one man refused
70 obey the order, and the captain discharged the
yoyer The bullet entered the mans leg just above the
knee Meantime the pumps we're set TO work but with
little or no effect the water pouring in through the
ings oocasioned by the collision
The survivors describe the scene as heartrendinR.
Many OF the passengers were in their night dresses
others had upon them only such scanty clothing they
could secure on quitting their berths Children were
screaming for their parents and parents searching in
vain for their children while husbands and wives
hOpeessy separated The horror was increased by the
darkness OF the night. The captains wife placed
with other women IN the lOngOOdt under tue charge or
the bOatswain. but the tackle being too sudden
ly set adrift, the boat stove In. BY
this time the City OF London steam-tug had
reached the spot having perceived the signals Of ds
and succeeded In rescung nearly the whole OF the
occupants the boat well as several others OF the
passengers and crew. the number savedby the tug being
a. She remained cruising about the spot TIL early
yesterday morning picking up such Of the passengers
rs could get clear OF the wreck, and III the hope OF
rendering assistance 70 those who had Heated on
fragments OF the ship after she settled down. The
Kngsdown ugger Mary also rendered good service Sho
was likewise attracted by the signals OF distress ana
succeeded IN picking up 80 passengers. The London
pilot No. and tho Princess stationed at Dover
got the spot aud succeeded In resoung 81 ~ %
them from the rigging. The total number thus reseu
IS. The pilot in charge WAS named George DE-.
he below a the time OF the collision, ana
deck simultaneously with the captain OF rno Tim AZ dis
ne speaks in the highest terms. lie descf'D OF
playing the utmost GOODNESS ana so t6s suo
mind and eyincing every anxiety Hb SsIn them.
cor OF those least able " =, about three
selves. The ship went down IN ~ osn.,in ra~
quarters OF an hour after she was tbe snrvIyor.
manning his post till she sank Rim when she went
states that he Was standing close W IA ~ some oatin
down tDe former managed % ny "5'a srbe c.Itain
substapee and MAS borne TO the suiiaoo' nc tL.
however was not again seen iuS p sstch tSev Ssare
had taken TO the miEons0Pln"'" "''-