The New York herald., 1875-07-18
WRECK OF THE CHAMPLAIN.

THE STEAMBOAT CHAMPLAIN WRECKED ON LAK
CHAMPLAIN-No LIVES LosT-BRAvERY on
THE oFFIcERs-ALL THE FREIGHT SAVED
WHITEHALL, July TO- 1875.
An unfortunate steamboat accident occurred on
lake ChamplaIn about fifteen minutes AFTER
twelve O'Clock Friday morning. The steamboat
Cnampiain left Westport abeut twelve O'Clock
bound north on her regular night trip. Captain
Rushlow was IN command. Wnen the boat ar.
rived at Westport John Eldrldge, one OF the
Oldest, best and most reliable pilots on the lake,
took his regular watch at the wheel To avoid
accidents IND render all assistlnce necessary for
safety the Champialn transportation Company
have always allowed an assistant TO every pilot
Pilot Eldridge was At the wheel while his assist
ant was below In the dining room partaking OF his
regular night lunch. The Cnamplain had just
passed Steam Mill Point, when terrific crash
awoke the passengers from their quiet slumb ers.
Immediately az was excitement oa the steamer.
cluding men, women and children.
TBE ALARM.
At the instant the alarm was given Captain
Rushl0W made hls appearance. immediately ne
gave orders TO his assistants, VINO IN turn estab-
iRned the perfect discipline for wnicn the captains
OF the Lake Chanpialn steamers are noted. Cap.
tain Rushlow and fllot rockwell Ihen proceeded
10 quiet the panic stricken passen- -ers. 1he grand
wuom were greatly excited. Ladies snrieked ana
nen seemed beside themselves. One lady, taking
In tue situation, falnted, Dut was soon restored to
her senses Captain Rusal0N then with great
GOODNESS and dignity ordered the passengers 10
quiet their fears, assuring them the danger mad
been passed, ana that the vessel was nearly hiEn
and dry on snore. Tnis partially queted the fears
OF the passengers, wno returned TO their state
rooms, secured their clothes ana began dressing
themselves. In the meantime everything Was
gelnR on for the safety oil property ana freight
The noble Cnamplatn was found TO be on shore.
rhe vessel had been out Of her course at least
thirty yarcs. she lay at an angie with tne shore
OF Iorty-hve degrees, with over Aal her length on
vessel had glided swiftly up nat rock, causing
the hull to break in two lust forward OF the en-
glnes, amidshtp. Within nve minutes from the
time that the Champain struck the rocky snore
the stern and pr0menade decks were completely
submerged ia water, walle the oSats DOW dropped
over tue rock aud on shore. What seems strange
Is that none OF the passengers or crew received
any injury whatever.
After quiet restored and tue passengers
dressed captain RushlOw had the gang planks
put out, when the passengers were safely landed
on snore. After securing the safety OF the pas
Fengers Captain Rusnlow sent Plot Rockwell,
wlts small boat and crew, to han the Adiron-
dack, Captain Anderson, which boat was coming
IN sight rom the north. In short time Captain
Anderson stepped ABOARD tho wreck and added
his assistance 10 that OF Captain Rushl0w. The
passengers on shore we're then transported TO the
AdirondacE, while the baggage OF tue Inflated
vessel was also carried on board Captain Ander
sons boat. The Adirondack then resumed neE
course, after bidding farewell " the onicers and
crew OF tno Champlain.
Just why the boat had been put out OF her way
thirty rods ana run aiagonaLy ON snOre Is at the
present writing mystery. John Eidrldge 10 an
old veteran plot. He is trusty, sober and relia-
bic man. He has always enjoyed the confidence
OF mis- mployers, and Is saiu 10 know every rock
in Lake Champlaln. At tne nour OF the accldenl
IL was very dark Lately he rad grown stout, ana
we are told tnat ne has been subjected TO dizzy
| tu,ns. Tue inference Is that the darkness misled
HIM or that at the time OF the accident ne was
iaborinR under some temporary arrangement,
when made him unaceoun able lot his actions
After tue accident he went on board toe Adtron-
dack. TOOK a stateroom, and wnen the train left
TIconderoRa, at six O'Clock this Friday morning.
Mr. Eldridge mad not oeen questioned Dy any one
a. 10 MS responsi0ilIty for the accident.
THE cHAMPLAIN.
The Champlnin, wnicn Is total wreck, was for
merry the Oakes Ames and was built by tue Bur-
lington Steamboat Company Tor the Rutland and
Burlington Railroad, to Jerry across Lake Champ
lam from Pattsburg TO Burlington. Tue vessel cost
ABOUT $l50,000, vas 800 eet IN length ana was the
on.y one on the lake containing TWO engines.
In 1873 she was purchased by the ChamplaIn
Steamboat Company, her name changed TO the
Champlain, and made into PASSENGER ooak she
was placed In the line during the season OF 1914,
ana vas commanded Dy Captain Fiagg until hla
death Last season Captain Holt commanded this
vessel and this season sns was held ~ a reserve
boat. Two weeks ago she took the place OF the
Vermont, which boat broke piston rou ana WAS
hauled on.