New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-03
THE SUNNYSIDE DISASTER.
TOTAL wRECKING OF THE STEAMER

TOTAL WRECKING OF TIE STEAMER
THE INsURANCE-PREsEST POSITION or Tux HULL
THE CAPTAIN OF THE WALTER BRETT DEEiEs
THAT NE HEARD SIGNALS FOR AID.
No important details in addition 10 those
which were published yesterday In regard TO the funny
side disaster could he learned in this city Joseph Cor
nell the General Superintendent Of the steaInboat
pany, with HIS assistants have mp the river with
wrccking steamers and the Insurance papers
locked in Mr.. Cornell's safe The exact amount
of the insurance could not be learned. II has
been stated that IL would cover the damage
TO the vessel, but this statement made
before the of the injuries ascertancd and
while Mr. Cornell thought the only harm sustained
that which would result from the sinking Of the vessel
Her total destruction not taken into the
The clerk OF the steamer Redneld. which left Hudson
about o'clock Wednesday, stated that when that
vessel passed the sunnysde she lying her star
board sde about onehird of the vessel being Of the
water. A light was up, and the Bunnysde appeared
to be bent amidshps and 1t Is generally believed that
she Is broken in two She is about so feet from the
shore in 40 feet Of water The Redfed through the
Ice from Hudson where tho people crossing the
ice TO Athena It from three TO six inches thick and
some OF the cakes were nearly foot in hickDess I'm
improbable that the sunnyside will be saved.
The Andrew Harder propeller which rms from Coz
sacke to NcwYork, met with ice the passage the
river on Tuesday night and hole was stove In the bow
The steamer is now undergoing repairs ut CatshiiL
was stated yesterday that all tho boats which further
north than Peekskil to DO withdrawn last night
Francis Teson the captain OF the Sunny side IN his state
ment which appeared in yesterdays TRIBUNE, raid that
the steamer Walter Brett passed north while the be Of
the sunnysde was ringing and all on board shout
ing for help but gave assistance. Philip H. Knieke
booker the captain Of the Walter Brett in conversation
with TRIBUNE reporter yesterday, said
As came TO the dock at Hyde Park thought heard
bell ringing, but could not tell from what point the
sound came | thought u was bell ringing for fire,
Cheney Superintendent OF the Mutual Benefit lee Com
pany was on board OF one Of their tugboa lyug al
their ice-house dock that night and the sunnysde
go by, but heard no bells anything OF the kind met
him below Hyde Park a. he was coming TO NewYorh. Is
must have been hOurcer.ainly thrce-quartere of
hourbeiore got there that the sunnysde sank. The
deGy e o on thar we
passed his vessel NJ the time ue states. Ny reputation IS
by Trson failed respond after hearing the danger
signals OF his boat no amount Of censure would be nm
Just. Peter Flynn, whorepresents hsf a. being sdeck
hand the Walter Brett, drunk when he came on
board as well as when he landed He lives at Barry.
town. and was discharged from his position on the Walter
Brett week ago His statements TO hearing the sig
mails the slnnyside He condition
to notice Signals had there been any have no desire
to nure TcsOns reputation but had he acted properly
under the circumstances he would have remained awake
until the vessel was clear OF the Ice Had known OF the
dangerous position OF his vessel would have mIncd-
aLely given help but the Walter Brett must have been AZ
least treoquartef5 OF mile away when the Sunny side
sank.
man who was on board the eunnyside when Il sank
reported drowned. He said there n German
money he had carpenter about A. 30 years age,
aud young man who stealing passage to this city.
lie was unable TO give their names.
A. c. Cheney Of Cheueys Towing Line, at the foot Of
FOurteenthst North River, makes the following state
ment in regard 10 the disaster:
went mp the river in the tOwboat Chris!iana ges
barges which IN danger OF being caught IN the
at point IN the river Just north OF the spot where
the Sunny side sank. Al u o'clock, while making
up tow, the Sulnyside passed south. Although this
Minutes before she sank, and when she must
have been filling rapidly from the hole made IA her buii
by the ice, there signal OF danger made al the
time. No whistle was blowing, 10 bed ringing, and
distress lights displayed. Had any warning been
given, the Chrsana could easily have gone 10 the assist
of the disabled steamer Half threequaI Of
hour acrward, when the Chrlstiana. having up
Ler tow, on her way to Eew-lork, the sunken
steamer passed, but the lights Then displayed her
near tue water that they we're supposed ~ be
coal boats. Old river men say tina. Capt Teson Of the
Sunnyside acted strangely IN going To bed at time
when ills boat was In the midst OF tce-helds and In
danger OF being damaged. The Sunnysde carried four
le-Doats, but All the women ard passengers were
crowded into one boat. which sSamped