The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-11
THE NORTHFLEET HORROR.
THRILLING PARTICULARS OF THE
DREADFUL CRIME.
Three Iundred Emigrants EnguIfed--
Heroism OF the ships CaptaIn.-Siaie-
n,ents OF Survivors-Intcresti Incl
rFrom the London Times, January 24.l

Heroism or the Snlp's Chptain'-State.
n,ents OF Survivors-Interesti Incl
dents.
From the London Timep, January 24.l
On Wednesday night, shortly after eleven
O'Clock, an appalling catastrophe occurred in
the Channel, a few miles from Dover. The
Northaeet, an emigrant ship, was run down
while at anchor by foreign steamer, and
more than three hundred lives were lost. The
atmosphere at the time was tolerably clear,
with stars visible, but the weather looked
threatening, and as a dead head wind was
blowing several outwardbound ships had
brought up for the evening In this part of the
Channel. The Northaeet was fine old ship
of nine hundred and forty tons, built some
twenty years ago at cost OF 100000. She
vas lately chartered to convey three hundred
and 6fty railway laborers, with certain num-
| her of women and children to Hobart Town.
| The Northfleet lett the East India docks on
Friday, the l7lh Inst, wilt her full compile.
menL OF passengers, the officers and crew add
| Ing about forty souls, aud completing living
freight OF about four hundred persons. There
were not more than one hundred and fifty
tons of cargo on board, and these were chiefly
iron rails and railway material, all of which
| was stuwed In the lower hold, the entire
| range of the ship between decks having been
| fitted up tor passengers.
THE sEIPis COMMANDER.
Almost at the moment OF the snip leaving
the docks her commander during The last i've
years, Captain Oates, was stopped oy treas
ury warrant of subr9 10 attend the forth
coming Tichborne Trial. The vessel was
lect confidence In Captain Oates's chief officer,
Mr.. Knowles. gave the command of the ship
| TO him and allowed him 10 take on board with
| him the lady 10 whom he had been married
about a month ago, and VINO ls among the
few saved. Alter leaving Gravesend The
NorthAteL encountered the full l0rce OF last
| weeks stormy weather. On Wednesday she
! came 10 on anchorage at sunset OF Dungen-
ess, about two miles from shore, In about
| eleven iathoms of wafer, and almost opposite
the Coastguard STALLION.
THE COLLISION.
About ten o'clock P. N. the ship was taut
and comfortable for iht night. Almost all
the passengers had turned In, and none but
The usual officers and men OF the watch were
90 deck. Just as The b Ills were Striking the
| holt hour after ten the watch observed large
imity, coming down directly toward them.
She appeared 10 be going at full speed, and
| The frantic shouts OF the watch, who called
upop her 10 alter their course, reused Captain
Knowles, who was on the alter deck mo-
ment before the steamer came broadsde
| to the Northheet, striking her almost amid
ships. making clean breach In her timbers
beneath the water line, and actually crushlng
The massive tlmbers traverslng The main
deck. The shock s described by the survi.
yors TO have been like the conclusion OF 8
yery powerful cannon, and one OF the straDg.
eat features of the catastrophe ls that imme-
distely after the collision the steamer cleared
the ship. and before more than very lew OF
the terrified passengers below could reach the
! deck she was altogether out OIL slgnt. MosC
| OF the passengers were awakened oy tne
shock, aud fearful panic ensued.
CAPTAIN KN0wLEs's 0ALLANTRY.
Captain Knowles was on deck Immediately
and acted With calmness, promplltude and
decision that will cover his memory With hon.
or. Notwithstanding the cries OF alarm That
| were raIsed on board the emigrant ship, The
| steamer passed on her way Without oterlng
| the slightest assistance. Captain Knowles I'M.
medialely ordered rockets TO De sent up aHd
olher signals Of distress to be made, and 10
the meantime dir cted The boals to be launch
cd p,vlnp imperative orders that the women
and children should be first secured. There
wes n dlsposition to set these orders at deh-
ance, and ON some of the crew crowdlng to
| line dayits with view to effecling their own
safety, he drew revolver ana declared ne
would 6nOOI LUo uf5l Hho oSeSn'PeSe w
| save himself before the women we're cared
| for. Most OF the crew seemed 10 understand
| that the captain was not to be trfed With: but
one man refused 10 obey the order, and the cap.
| tain discharged the revolver. The bullet en-
tered the mans leg Just above the knee.
Meantime the pumps were set TO work, out
with lillle or no effect, The water pouring 10
through the openings occasioneu oy Ihe COL
| llslon.
scENE OF HORROR.
The survivors describe the scene as heart
rending. Many OF the passengers were In their
| night .dresses; others had upon Them only
| such scapty clothing as they could secure on
uniting their berlhs. Children were scream
inp for their parents, and parents searching
| in vain for their children; while husbands and
| wives were hopelpssly separated. The horror
was Increased by the darkness OF the night.
The captains vile was placed Win 0lher
women In The longboat, under the charge OF
| the boatswain, but, the tackle being too sud
denly set adrlIt, the boat was stove In. BY
This lime the City Of London seam-tug had
reached the sL OF, having perceived the signals
/ ot dislress and succeeded In rescuiDg nearly
the whole OF the occupants OF the 0oat, as
we'll as several others OF the passengers and
crew, the number saved by the lug being
thlrly-four. She remained cruising ABOUT tne
spot I'LL early yesterday morning, picking mp
such OF the passengers as could get clear OF
the wreck. and in the hope OF rendering assist
ance to those who mad hoated on fragments
| of The shin after she settled down. The
Kingsdown lngger. Mary, also rendered good
service. She was likewise attracted by the
signals of distress, and succeeded 10 picking
me thirty Messengers. The London pilot cut
ter. No. 8, aud the Princess, stationed at
| Dover also got TO the spot and succeeded IN
rtsculng twenty-one, ten OF them from the
rIgninge The total number thus rescued was
eighty-hve.
THE CAPTAIN GOES DOWN WITH his SHIP.
The pilot in charge was named George
Brsck: he was below at The time Of Inc collls-
ion. and gained the deck simultaneously with
ihe captain. of whose conduct he speaks ln
the hiohest terms. He describes him as dis
nlayInr the utmost GOODNESS and presence oil
| mind and evincipg every anxiety 1or the suc.
| cor of Lhose least able to save themselves.
| The shin went down In about three-quarters
| of nm hour after she was etruck, the captain
remaining at his post till she sank. One oil
| IN, survivors states that he was standing close
| 10 him when she went down; the former man
appd TO Law hold of some floating substance,
and was borne to the surface. The captain.
| however was not again seen. Tne plot and
ton others had taken to the mizentopmast,
from which they we're finally rescued.
Statements OF Survivors.
1yurmAN1TY OF THE STEAMERS COMPANY.
John Start, sailor, says:
When I reached the deck the steamer was
In collision with us. She had straight stern,
no bowsprlt, and no fgure-head. fairly got