Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1873-01-25 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

LATER TELEGRAM.] The collision which sank the North Fleet was one of extraordinary severity. The blow made a clean breach in the ship's timbers, below the waterline, actually crushing the massive timbers traversing the main deck. The strangest escape was that of a man named Brown, who swain three miles, and was picked up by the steam-tug. The Times says a ship at achor ought, under no circumstances, to be run down by a vessel in full course. If the conduct of those on board the steamer be as bad as it appears, no legal punishment can be too severe. The Standard terms the captain of the steamer a murderer and coward. The Telegraph believes he would have scant chance of life in England.  Further particulars of the collision off Dnngeness have been received. The North Fleet, a ship of 895 tons, laden with railway iron for Hobart Town, and having on board besides a crew of 30, about 400 emigrants wiio were to be employed in constructing a railway', was riding at anchor off Dungeness, in 12 fathoms of water. Late on Wednesday night, when nearly all the passengers were in bed, itat alarm was raised that a large steamer was coming bow on. Before any steps could be taken the steamer ran into the North Fleet amidships, cutting her in two. Captain Knowles, who:dispLayed the utmost coolness, ordered the men to keep clear of the boats until tbe Women and children were placed in them. The captains wife and another woman were placed in the long boat. One man, who got into the boat and refused to leave, was shot by the captain with a pistol,t;and wounded in the leg. The husband of the second woman threw her child to her, mad then jumped into the boat, and cut its tackle, causing the I boat to be stove in. She drifted about, and was afterwards picked up. Meanwhile, under the direction of the pilot, the pumps were set to work, but fruitlessly, and in about three-quarters of an hour after the collision the ship went down like a shot. The tug City of London, attracted by blue lights, cruised about the spot until morning, and saved 30 of the passengers, who were clinging to spars and other pieces of wreck. The Kingsdown lugger Maty also came in time to rescue 34 sufferers, to whom the greatest attention was shown. The London pilot cutter Princess also sived 21, including the pilot and several of the crew. The captain remained on the poop to the last, and petished. A man named Denis Macarthy, who stood by him, sank with him, but was afterwards rescued. Twelve snore of the passengers were rescued and landed at Dungeness. Thus only about 95 out of 400 passengers and crew have escaped a watery grave. The survivors were received at the Sailors' Home, Dover, where every kindness was shown them. The captain's wife, who had only been mare ied six months, was received by the Bev Mr Yate, the honorary' secretary. One child who was saved lost both father and mother, the former having returned after putting the child in the boat to seek his wife. The steamer which caused the catastrophe, although repeatedly bailed, pursued her course down the channel, leaving more than 400 persons to perish. She is supposed to be a Portuguese vessel, outward bound from Antwerp, from which a coast pilot named Geo. Swainton was landed at Dover about nine o'clock on Wednesday night. The Board of Trade has offered a reward of £lOO for information as to this steamer, and orders have been telegraphed to all southern ports to detain the suspected vessel should it be possible. The depositions of the boatswain and pilot and the captain of the steamtug have been taken before the Collector of Customs. lixty of the survivors were sent to London on Thursday afternoon.