New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-29
NOURMAHAL STRIKES A REEF
ILL., ASTORS YACHT BEACHED.
SHE MEETS WITH A BAD ACCIDENT ON A
VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON RIVER.
6TEERED BY HER SECOND OFFICER FULL UPON
LINE OF JAGGED ROCKS OFF NEW
HAMBURG - TEN FEET OF
WATER IN HER HOLD

iBr TELEGRAPH TO
Pouehkcepsie Sept 2s-1he large and magnii-
cent steel steam yacht Nourmahal belonging to
John Jacob Astor lies beachcd on the east side of
Tho Hudson River near Van Rcnssclaer's Point
just north of the New-Hamburg railroad tunnel
Shortly before 10 o'clock last night she was on
her way up the river. of what is known as the
Danskammer. and little west of the middle of
the river Not half mile north of where she
was is jagged line of rocks under water known
as New Hamburg Reef. The Nourmahal struck
on the reef with great force and bounded off
Seeing that she making water very fast Cap
tain Daley decided to beach her The noise made
by the yacht when she struck the reef was
heard long distance She lies in a bad posi-
ton, with only five feet of water under her bow
and twelve feet under her stern, and she has a
very strong list to starboard
As soon as she struck, the yachts watertght
bulkheads were closed and her pumps set
at work. and they are still at work. There are
eight or ten feet of water in her hold. She lies
on a bar Of sand
Tie steward of tho Nourn1lhal arrived here TO-
might He sail that they left York at half
past o'clock yesterday afternoon bound for Rhine
beck, and had crew of forty-csht Officers and men
on bo'ri, including Captain w A Daley, who Is
also sailing-mastcr and pilot. Mr.. A>tor not
on board About AS last night Captain Daley.
left the bridge 10 90 into the chart room to get
sandwich leaving Second Officer Johnson in
charge and cautloning hm 10 keep 10 the west
ward lie had scarcely got into the chart room
when the vessel struck New Hamburg Reef with
GREAT force and bounded off. Captain Daley
gained the bridge as quickly possible, ana learn
ing that water was making fast in the hold
teached her on the last shorn near Van EcnS-
selaers Point, mile or so north Of N"w-iaphurg
tunnel on a mud-and-Sa:id bottom, whore she now
lies with her bow not far from the railroad track
Second Oncer johnson admitted that he was to
blame for her striking on the reef lie said he
took red licht on shore on 'he wharf OF the
roughkeepsc Transportation Company at New.
Hamburg for a vessels light and steercd to 90 10
the eastward OF it.
By direction Of Captain Daley the steward
teleeraphed Mr. Astor at Rhinebeck that the
Nourmahal was in trouble. Mr.. AstOr, however,
had heard Of the matter before. and he'd started
for the Nourmahal in his electric launch, reach
ing there at noon to-day. Captain Daley was not
then on board. The second officer made state
ment 10 Mr. Astor acknowledging that he was
at fault and then told his story. When Captain
Daley came on board both he and the second
officer were dismissed, but Captain Daley IL stll
on board Then Mr.. Astor took charge of the
vessel and is still there. The Merritt Nrecklng
Company had been teicsrapbed Tor to come 70
the Nourmahal's rescue. and at A 80 o'clock this
afternoon the large wrccker ]. J. Merritt reached
her. and is now alongside the Nourmahal The
captain of the Merritt believes he viii get th"
vessel off tomorrow, when she will be towed To
Erie Basin, Brooklyn, and be put on the dry
dock for repairs. There is no doubt large nor,
In her bottom near midsnp, nut the captain 81
the Merritt believes that the damage is not great
and that she can be repaired in ample time tof
Mr. Astor and party to attend the big yacht race
with her. Her voyage up the Hudson was 70 take
Mr.. Astor and party TO New-i 9rE hay 70 re'ian ,
struck the reef she would have plCughed into the
New Hamburg wharf. and no doubt would have
been sunk
The Nourmahal Is one of the largest Of steam
Yachts She is 24s feet long. 50 feet beam ana
draws "A feet of water. She was buiit ior "illidi
Astor in 1884 by the Harlan Il Hoihngs"oi,n ii Sol
many The Nourmahal is steel boat ana Is p"'
r.psed John Jacob Astor. the present owner VI
the Yacht. who inherited her from MS fa,her mas
bsen accustomed to spend much time on podru 81
her In the summer. The Nourmahal Is hot tspeVm p, m
siiy "a ast though she IS by no means so" nut -
hiYilt for