The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-30
SLEEPING AT THE WHEEL.
A MIRdCULOUS ESCAPE FROM AN
1PPILLING CALAMITY.
The steamer Walter Brett Run On the n ochs
Mt Figs Point on tue tlndson n Moon
HRht Ntgbt-Thc Pilot Asleep Mt his Post.

The steamer Walter Brett Run On the Rocks
nj ris's Point on the IInd-on on n Moon
Iiaht Nigbt-Thc PLAT Asleep Mt his Post.
PoueHKEEPsIE. Sept 2o.-An extmordi-
nary accident occurred on the Hudson river at
Pigs Point on the west shore, about mile
north of Marlborough, at IL o'clock last night.
At that hour the steamboat Waller Brett Of the
Catskill ana New York night line, Capt. Philip
wilbur in command, ran head on the rocks
at the point named. sue had sixty passengers,
ana was bound north when she struck she
was going at full speed, ana the collision was
terrific, the steamers PROV climbing four i'm
mense boulders, and her stem forcing its way IN
to Eve feet of solid fock, firmly wedging the boat
Nearly al the passengers we're asleep In their
berths, and the shock was so great that p. mic
instantly ,nsued. Men and women ran through
the saloons, frantic with fright, some Of the
ladies altering piercing shtieKs. All hurried
forward. as in the bright MOONLIGHT the bold
rocky shore was in full view. The preeiptous
bank ~ the river is at this point about one hun
dred feet in height. The passengers scrambled
over the bow like sheep, but one or two who
jumped to the shore, finding no foothold, came
ne ar tumbling into the river. Mauy OF the pas
sengers W ere half dressed, and were utterly be-
side thems elves. The officers soon quoted their
fears, assuring them that there was no dagger,
the stalrwaysto the saloons and stare rooms,
ana the half-hnisned toilets we're completed.
=, In lhe mean!lme ihe propeller Redneid VI the
Hudson aud New York night line. also bound
NORTH. and close 10 the Brett when the accident
occurred, steamed up alongside. he work OF
uansfcrrtng the passengers TO The Redheld was
then accomplished without accident. Most OF
the Bretrs freight was also taken on board the
Nedheid. Then the steamboat New Champion,
Of the same line as the Brett, bound south \, ar
rived at the scene OF the accident. Tue officers
OF the Brett. fearing that their vessel would hide
OH the rocks and sink, pressed the of
both the other steamers into service, and IN a
short time all the furniture, carpets and bedding
of the Brett were transferred To tue kedneid.
Assistance was afterward offered 10y the steamer
john l.. Hasbrouck, bound for Poughkeepsie,
but as II was not needed she was signailed to
90 on.
At daylight this morning the bow Of the wal
tee Brett " still hrmly wedged in the rocks,
her stern lying down the river with hawser
leading To tue shore to keep her stern from
swinging cut into the stream. a gang Of ship
carpenters from Folks shipysrd, POughkeepsie,
punt "A hulkhead on her damaged row. ana
close observation showed she was not leaking.
A. L. u. she was got On. and was ascertained
10 be ONLY signify damaged. she Immediately
started ior New York WIN Der own steam.
that { pit. Nilrur and himself were Ia the
smoking room, and were ABOUT o retire to bed,
when the crash came. He r.n forward, think
ing they had come In collision with another
boat. As soon Us possible they allayed the ex-
element among the Dasseugers aud hailed the
steamer Redned. which close by. She
eame alongside. and the passengers and baggage
were transferred to her without confusion.
The pilot, CHRISTOPHER Hutton, said:
AN the ,econd pllo, Of the Brett and David Perci-
van van OF seS IN, Is !hs hrs R95 My ssieh be,
little up the river win the Thomas Fow,i as lar
aqS a Soas4 sTs SS s6c %
Of Marlborough IN the midaie of the river al about
hours sleep night before You see we nave 10 iase
30 W. had sn sS ave &c Sos aTH
Mr. fereiyal vas IN 1e pnot house with ne bat was
IVES supposed TO do my own lookiag snd steer.
oSsn before s M not ~ Ssr rco T Gsre
Was stove IN me pio, housr. ani We mai IRE it
down the window. The nr.t Thing Anew struck he
b SenS a 9ss f3 ssse On DO Sse Rs
va gre,I eoniusiun snl "nen got below they vere
were greatly excited, Tne Captain aud crew dId all
w, aosd TO qHs' me ps,seIs,rs anq an tla ~ent
vs. no danger q TIE Loaf sinking. r EN- tnc k"Gnc a
boat .Iacs the si.t of tits month have D .,ai
Teen SSS5s R0' .. S ss se,ssa Ta
Ny hr-t s.esmboatng was on tie Ilp Van NinAie
he sunny side then oa the Thoms. Powell anu aew ON ON
s ss s av ss a ss s .
WIN US Just zee what a niue thing VIII do. Go as
afa f As you Ga" On me- '0' ''S very Dad about 'A'
Mr. TAYLOR, the engineer, says that he was Sit
ting In the engine room reading II newspaper.
lie had twenty pounds ~ steam. and the boat
was moving long at her regular rate. The force
~ IN" collision as 20 great THAI the coal Ia tue
mr. ro1m was shifted NJ ~ inst the BOILER heads
hld n gee uuor- Just alter tue crash got
9ell or tw" from tne pilot house.
1he pilot of the ircneld say. that he was Just
ntnlht me Brett on Marih 'rourh, and observed
thNt she VS. suecriug WILDLY, nrst To- the west
hnd l.tn ~ We en- t. .nd llAt az one time they
came near running her down. suddenly. h. "a a.,
the Brett moved rapidly 60 the westward. an 1
W completely ustounded, as he knew that she
VS. then IN great danger. moueu, aftcrward
she smashed into the rocks, nd the noise vlu-t
have been heard a long DIST nee.
lae Walter Brett cost $4,000 and last winter
$4,000 worth Of improveu cnts were put on her.
Ihe damage Will not amount to over 5000 II
was narrow escape from an app ling calamity.