Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-29
The H. Northam.

position at last accounts, and it was thought | she would be got off without serious damage | The statement of Captain John. G. Bowns, 1 who is one of the best captains that ever commanded Sound steamer, is as follows:
 seWe were going up the river under half speed. Pilot Wohlgemsth was at the wheel, aided by four men. About one length from where the steamer struck we usually enter the east channel. We had got out of our course and the pilot must have missed his bearings, as the fog was so thick, and we struck with heavy crash. There was no panic among the passengers, and the Sylvan Stream took them off soon after we struck. The Northan is safe where she IS, and we hope to get her off at high water to-mor- row" Pilot Wohlgemoth said 'sI was at the wheel, and as we got near Hunters Point a ferryboat crossed our bows. We had tc steer ont of her way and then out of the course of tug and lighter on our star board. This took us somewhat out Of our regular course. We were headed north by northeast when we struck and were gong
 under half speed. The fog had lifted little and again settled, and we couldn't
 see half a length ahead. I saw the
 rocks fifteen seconds before we struck
 and stopped the engines, but the boat
 went right on, striking very hard at frst
 and then pumping along on the rocks. Usu- ally we shift our helm about our own length south said he was so glad there had been no lives lost. s"The steamers loss is insignificant when compared with that of human being. If there is anything the company brides itself upon,- it is the fact that we have never lost life, or had what might be looked upon as serious mishap."
 The damage to the steamer is not fully
 known here. There is a large hole beneath her bow, and the hull is stayed in. Persons interested in the line called at the office at
 Belle Dock yesterday, but could find nothing new or definite.
 sT think she is not so bad as the news papers report, :" said one.
 sfWell, I shall be happy if it prove no worse, replied 8 weatherbeaten party. i She is very much worse off than when she went on Hogs Back several years ago. It was then feared that she had broken her back, but in day or two she came off with the tide But in her present location 1t will be difficult to move her. The place, how ever, is sheltered, and heavy winds could do her no harm.
 When the Continental came by her last night on her way to this city she could be seen Her guard aft was some distance ont of the water, but she lay in 8 very bad position. It had been agreed that she should inform the Continental of her condition by l whistling One whistle was to mean good, two whistles bad, and three very bad. Three whistles were sounded.
 Superintendent Peck was promptly at the
 scene, and was still there yesterday.
 The Elm City, which was lying at this city, l was at once made readyto take the Northam's place. She left here at 2:30 yesterday morn 1 ing Capt Tucker commanded her and Miles Peck was her steward. The accident causes little confusion, and trips are made as usual. Mate Donovan, of the Con
 tinental, siad yesterday, morning that ] the accident was such an one as would happen to any steamer. The place
 was dangerous at all times, and rendered | more so by the fogs which now prevail so extensively.
 The Northam is not insured. She has been
 somewhat unlucky. In addition to her in l jury on Hogs Back she was destroyed by | fire at the foot of Seventh street, East river, | Nov. 27, 1877, while having a new shaft put l in Three men were burned to death. The | damage was $225, ,0OO. She was rebuilt, and l two years ago resumed her trips. She orlg1- nally cost $4o0, 0,O0O is 235 feet over all in | length with S5 feet beam. Her registered | tonnage is 1,426, and she can accommodate l 79O passengers. When light she draws eight
 feet of water. Tuesday she drew nine and
 a half.
 1 The following dispatches in regard to the
 accident were received yesterday: | PECK SLIP, N. Y., p. m., Dec. 28.-Cap- l tain Richard Peck is now upon the Northam. ] The extent of the damage is not known, but | it is considerable The Coast Wrecking l company is at work, and Captain Hewitt of l that company has expressed it as his opinion
 that she would be gotten off tonight. | WILLIAM ScoTT. Agent. | NEW YORK, Dec 2s, ? D. m.-The st. amer l c. H. Northam was high and dry on the I rocks at Blackwell's Island this morning. | When Capt. Hewitt and his crew of wreckers | took charge, all the freight had been l taken out and brought down to the pier, at | Ill t1
 sent to New Haven by the Elm City, which
 for the present will take the place of the stranded steamer. It is said that the O. H.
 Northam is only slightly injured by the
 rocks and may be got of Gas she is now l frightened of her freight) without removing
 any of her upper works As she went on the
 rocks during high tide, it will require high l water to remove her, after which she will be
 placed on the dry dock, when the amount of l her injuries will be ascertained. As she lies
 in comparatively still water, there is no dan 1 ger of her pumping against the rocks, and | the wreckers will take care that she receives | as little injury as possible during her remov- | al.
 1 NEW YORK, Dec. 28.-The boxes and bales l of merchandise in the cargo of the c. H. Northam were strewn about the dock at Peck l Slip today awaiting reshipment. They had l been brought from the scene of the accident by tugs and were in good condition. "The
 
 announced, :" said Superintendent Scott this | afternoon ssThe cargo is not harmed and 1 do not believe the Northam severely strained. However, she will have to go on the dry l dock for repairs, and as all the dry docks are | occupied at present there is no telling how | soon she will resume her place on the line. ! For the time being her run will be taken by | the Elm City and the delayed cargo was promptly forwarded this afternoon. It is 8
 difficult matter to estimate the damage to the I Northam, but I feel confident it will not reach $1O OO0." The Northam is still aground | and in no immediate danger. Owing to the
 removal of her cargo, she has lighted to l considerable extent Captain Merritt of the wrecking company WAS of opinion that she I could be foated during the night After l dry dock has been secured several days will be required to repair damages.
 | The latest report last evening was that the I steamer was lying in an easy position, and with the aid of pontoons she would probably
 be got of to-day and hoated into the dry | dock for repairs
 The Eleventh ward, Fair Haven. Corporation Counsel Stoddard has render
 ed an official opinion concerning the Elev-
 enth ward election matter, deciding that AL
 derman Chase, whose term ends Dec. 31st, holds over until his successor is chosen and 1 qualified in his place.
 l New License Law.
 | We are informed that few citizens, in no manner connected with the sale of liquors, l ale or beer, and nowise connected with tenn perance or crime societies, have nearly com | pleted new law, which is entirely original,
 humane, and puts the responsibility and ex- penses incurred by dram drinking and drunk
 enness where it belongs, and graduates li- lenses, etc. County Commissioners.