Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-28
Government bonds closed as follows :
LOCAL NEWS.
Accident to the Northam.

Strikes q Rock OH B1ac9kSv eIl's IsIand-
 The Passengers and Freight.
 Information reached this city last evening by passengers that the New Haven steamer c. H. Northam struck 8 rock in Hell Gate yesterday afternoon owing to the fog while bound for this city, and large hole was stove in her starboard side and water poured in rapidly. The passengers were transferred in boats back to New York, and steamer was sent from New York and commenced transferring her freight. She had much freight on board Some of the passengers arrived in this city by the evening trains. The Elm City was made ready last evening and left for New York in place of the North by the 1O:3s train last night for duty on the Elm City, the remainder of the crew remain ing on board the Northam.
 NEW YORK DISPATCH.
 NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-The New Haven boat 0. H. Northam left her pier at Peck Slip this afternoon at o'clock, en route for New Ha- ven, carrying about forty passengers and one hundred and fifty tons of miscellaneous freight, including quantities of flour, leather, ale in barrels and cotton. The weather was muggy at the start, and the steamer had not gone far up the river before it was overtaken and completely enyeloped in a thick fog that hid even the nearest object from view. Cap tain Bownsgand Pilot Wohlegemuth upon con- sultation decided to take the south channel that hugs the Long Island shore rather than the more commonly used northern channel
 Ifz s54 ,f TcJo change being directed by consideration of the state of the weather. In the fog the steamer got beyond the narrow channel, and at o'clock struck ledge of rocks that runs for distance of more than half mile iron, the southern extremity of Blackwelrs Island toward the buoy. It was high tide, and the boat ran up on the rocks nearly half it's length, keeling over until it's port wheel was entirely above the water. The river being calm it lay perfectly quiet, drawing no more water than it's pumps could easily throw out. The passengers had all been taken of with out trouble or excitement and the freight during the night was unloaded and put on board lighter that had come to the assis- tance of the steamer It was thought that perhaps when frightened she might perhaps be foated of the rocks at the next high tide, but the hope was certainly vain, since it was high tide when she struck. It is more likely that several days will elapse before the steamer, can be dragged from her berth. Rough weather setting in meanwhile might make wreck of her. At the time of the &C., cident she drew nine feet and half and ran at only half red in the fog Captain Bowns and Pilot Peter Wohlegmuth were in the pilot house and four men were at the wheel The pilot in explaining the accident said: 'eWe had to steer good deal in order to get around some lighters and tugs under way, and so were thrown too far over on kbo VorE~ cir WhaD xvQ had the wheel hard over to get back to ward the Long Island shore. We could see noth- ing at all The fog kept lifting and settling over the river for while and then wrapped us in entirely. We have to go very close to these rocks anyway, and got little too far stern. The vessel lies yet in deep water, and the hole in the bottom is probably not as bad as it looks. We may get of tomorrow, but don't suppose we shall.
 Captain Bowns stated that no one was to blame for the accident. It was due to the fog. The lookout was in his place forward and the pilot in his, but nothing could be seen ahead or on the side. The pumps were able at o'clock tonight to control the wa ter in the hold that came in through the hole in the bottom. When the tide fell the flow ceased. How far the damage extended along the keel could not be determined. The striking of the Northam is described by pas sengers as be1ng attended with severe shock, followed by grating sound and jumping motion as the steamer climbed far upon it's rocky bed. The passengers were transferred to the Sylvan Stream and taken back to New York, whence the greater num- Der proceeded by rail to their destination. There was little or no excitement, it being apparent that there was no immediate dan ger. The officers and crew remained on board.
 Fortunately none of the cargo had shift ed All the cargo as well as furniture, coal and water in the boilers will be removed ID order to Tighten the vessel and an attempt will then be made to drag her of at high wa ter. The amount of damage, it is estimated, will be about $10,000 should she be saved. She has large hole beneath her bow and her hull is staved in. The hull has been bad ly strained and it will be necessary when she is moved from the rocks to keep the bow afoat by means of pontoons. She has about three feet of water in her hold, but her donkey pump has proved able so far to pre- vent it from gaining.