Buffalo, NY Steamer Atlantic Sinking, Aug 1852 - Further Particulars

THE LAKE ERIE CATASTROPHE.

Further Particulars.

By Telegraph to the New-York Daily Times.

BUFFALO, Monday, Aug. 23.---9 A. M. The following are additional names of parties saved from the Atlantic:

Thomas Taylor, wife and 4 children, Albany;
T. G. Britton,
F. G. Britton, of Walpole, N. H.;
Mrs. E. B. Blackmore, Jericho, Vt.;
Eugene Marshall, North Bridgewater, Mass.;
V. H. Burst, Schoharie, N. Y.;
Mrs. Rungee, Montgomery, N. Y.;
J. Poogood and wife, Reusellaer County, N. Y.;
Geo. Fisher, New Thayer, Vt.;
Peter Castella,
Abraham McCana,
Mary McCann,
William Jewell and wife, Oneida County, N. Y.;
Thomas Myers and Ellen L. Chapman, Monroe County, N. Y.;
Catherine, Ellen and Margaret O'Neil, West Troy;
John Thompson, Oxbridge, Mass.;
B. F. Field, wife and two children, reported lost, are all fortunately saved, having been picked up floating on a portion of the wreck. Among those lost are Mrs. Thomas Lewis, of Detroit, whose body, with that of a little girl, was picked up yesterday by the steamer St. Louis. Mrs. Lewis is recognized by a ring she wore; Mrs. Marks, Whitestown; Miss Elizabeth Van Hogenburgh, Halfmoon Saratoga County; Mrs. Williams, and Mr. and Mrs. Spanks, New-York.

A little girl, 9 years old, from New-York, was going to her friends in Milwaukee, and was put under the charge of a strange gentleman. When retiring for the night, she told the chambermaid she was nervous traveling without her mamma, and asked her if the boats ever ran against each other on the Lake as they did in rivers, (alluding to the loss of the Henry Clay) The chambermaid told her she was on the lake all the time, and never met with an accident yet. The child then consented to lie down, but would not be undressed. She was never seen after the collision, and is supposed to have been drowned in her berth. It is supposed she left New-York by the 6 o'clock train on Thursday morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Birch, Mr. and Miss Van Hovenburgh and Miss Phœbe Birch, were all on board. After the collision they took five life preserving stools---and Mr. Birch exhorted them all to be calm, and told them how to use the stools, and not go into the water until he told them. Miss Birch was nearly dead with terror, but when the signal was given to plunge into the water, and regained her presence of mind when she found she could float well with the stool---the others of the party followed. Mrs. Birch lost her stool and clung to Miss Van Hovenburgh. Mr. Birch immediately tried to assist them, when all three went down and were lost. Mr. Van H. and Miss Birch were saved.

Mr. Almon Coffin, late of Geneva, N. Y., had a miraculous escape. He was cast into the water at first, by the collision, and could not swim, but got hold of a rope and hung to it; soon some fifty or sixty persons came pouring over the side of the boat on his head; he sunk, but again rose and got hold of the rope, he then felt his legs clutched by a dozen hands under the water, and he now bears the marks of scratches and wounds where the nails of the drowning were buried in his flesh; he subsequently fell from the rope, exhausted, and knows not how he was pulled into the boat.

A schooner loaded with lumber for coffins and a dead-house, together with a steamer and small sloop, have been dispatched to the scene of the calamity by the owners of the Atlantic, to pick up and bury the unknown dead and preserve the bodies which may be recognized. Numbers have also proceeded to the spot in hopes of finding their missing friends.

When the collision took place the first mate was in bed. He sprung up, and when he found the boat was cut right down to the hold,---he seized the lead to cast for soundings,---his horror was great to find the rope slip through his hands fathom after fathom, until in the dark he felt the large fifteen fathom knot in his hand, and then had touched no bottom. He did not wait to pull the rope in again.

About 15 bodies with clothes, or marks by which to be identified, have been recovered up to this evening. An investigation has been entered upon by a committee, into the cause of the disaster, and an examination of the officers and others of the Atlantic, is going on. The investigation, however, seems to be without definite object, and up to this hour nothing important has been elicited. Mr. Langdon, cadet of West Point, is safe. He was supposed to be lost, and was so reported.

The following narrative is furnished by John S. Blake, of Meriden, Conn., who was a passenger on board the Atlantic:

NARRATIVE OF A PASSENGER.

You are aware that the calamity happened about 2 o'clock on Friday morning, August 20th, at which time I was sleeping in my berth, in state-room No. 1, (with two other gentlemen, whom I have not since seen, and fear they are lost,) which room was on the larboard side, and within four to six feet from where the propeller struck the Atlantic, and, as near as I can judge, about midway between the paddle-wheel and the stern of the vessel.

At the moment she struck us, and while the timbers were still moving and crushing me down in my berth, I struggled and succeeded in extricating myself, and in a moment was upon the forward part of the hurricane deck, alongside of the pilot's wheel, feeling assured that from that position I could gain more information in regard to our danger, than from any other point, as the orders would be given from that quarter. At this time the propeller was slowly falling astern of us.

I had occupied that position but a few moments before the appalling cry was heard that she was sinking.

All was confusion, and the next moment the command was given, in a very stifled and agitated voice, to head her in for shore, and ring the bell, both of which command were soon obeyed, and some exertions were made to careen her over on the starboard side, to keep the water from rushing in, but without much effect.

All this time her engine was in motion, as it had been all the while, and we were fast leaving the propeller.

I then thought it time to make an effort to save my life. I made for the door of the saloon in order to reach the main deck. I found it dark there, and not a light to be seen, and I don not believe there was one on that part of the boat; however, I succeeded in getting down, and tried to find something to float upon.

At this moment I thought of the life preserver stools, and climed[sic] over the railing upon the hurricane deck to secure one, but I did not like their appearance, and I made my way down again and secured the after gangway door. I placed it over the rails on the guards outside, intending it for future use, concluding to remain upon the wreck as long as I could, giving myself sufficient time to clear the vessel when she should go down.

But very soon the cry of fire was heard, at which time the emigrants were jumping off the forward deck, as they had been doing previously, by dozens; some sinking under the wheels, and some passing astern, uttering such fearful cries for help, in their own language, as to render the scene, which it is impossible to describe, doubtly appalling.

Some fifteen or twenty minutes after the collision, the main deck sunk; and then I launched my frail support, and struck out to clear the vortex which I suppose would soon be made by the sinking vessel.

When I was sufficiently clear from her and her wake, and also without the reach of those who were drowning around me, of whose cries I will not attempt to speak, I lay still, and watched the motion of both steamers, calculating my chance of escape, which I did not, at any one time, lost sight of.

It has been said we went some three miles after the collision took place. If so, then for me to able to see that distance, one of two things must be false---either it was not very foggy, or we did not run that distance. It is true I did, at one time, almost lost sight of the propeller---I suppose she was leaving us to perish. It was then for the first time I lost my fortitude-I gave up for lost; but I yet hoped for help from that quarter, and I did not look in vain, for soon I saw her bearing down toward us, and then God only knows my feelings of gratitude. I made for her as fast as my strength would permit, and was soon taken on board.

From my observations of the drowning persons around me, I fear the loss of life will prove greater than can be known.

That it was to the still, calm, and almost clear night, and the interposition of Divine Providence, we are indebted for the preservation of so many lives, there can be no doubt. Had it been dark or rough, God only knows what would have been the result.

And now, that such an accident should happen, must remain a matter of speculation to those not present; but I believe it to be one deserving the strongest censure. That there was a reckless spirit manifested, I fairly believe---otherwise, how, on an almost clear night, could it have taken place?---Herald.

The New York Times, New York, NY 24 Aug 1852