From the Richmond Whig, 6/23/1865, p. 2, c. 6

COLLISION IN THE RIVER – A STEAMER RUNS INTO A FLOTILLA OF BARGES LOADED WITH SOLDIERS – ONE OF THEM CUT IN TWO AND SUNK – NARROW ESCAPE OF THOSE ON BOARD. – Between four and five o’clock Wednesday afternoon, as the steamer City Point, Captain Talbot, was coming up the river to this port, and, when opposite Drewry’s Bluff, a tug was descried ahead, towing a number of barges loaded with soldiers attached to the Engineer Corps, employed in removing the obstructions from the river. The whistle of the steamer was blown as a warning for the tug to keep to the left; but instead of going to the left, and leaving the track clear for the passage of the steamer, the tug veered around right in the steamer’s course, exposing her convoy of barges to a smashing collision. The City Point ploughed right into the midst of them, striking one (No. 12) fair and square, and cutting her completely in twain. Those aboard jumped into the water, and the steamer being by this time stopped, the Captain ordered the gang plank to be thrown overboard to their assistance. Boats put out from the shore and all hands were taken up alive.

The tug towing the barges was the Poulton. The City Point was not injured, and came on immediately to the city. The only loss sustained was the loss of the gang plank, and to a passenger who was expressing his regrets the Captain replied, “Sir, I can easily get another gang plank, but it is not so easy to restore human life.”

• Prev
• Next