The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-30
STEAMBOAT DE SALABERRY.

Il
,ret that we announce the loss OF this q
boat. She left our port yesterday morn c
ing for the river Chambly and Montreal,
with full cargo, valued at upwards OIL
5000, consisting chiefly Of the summer
Of the merchants OF the river
( hambiy and had on board no less than
$40 passengers, men, women and cnii-
dron, chiefly omigran,s Of the poorer
lasses. She had hardly passed cape
Rouge, about 4 o'clock, when she was
discovered 10 be on FIRE. A quantity OF
fuel had been placed ON the right side oil
the boilers, under which il is supposed
some particle of fire must accidentally
have fallen. When Mr.. Knper (who
had taken temporary charge of the boat,
the master having lately left it,) was first
alarmed, the fire seemed trifling; he |
fastened upon deck to direct that water
should be poured down without delay |
but on coming up, was astonished to find
that the flames had penetrated the gra-
tings over the engine room, where un-
luckily puDcheons OF spirits had been
stowe one IF which instantly caught fire
burs, and spread over the deck, commit
nicating the blaze to several crates and
hampers. The horror and confusion OF
the scene at this moment may be imagin-
ed, but can hardly be described. The
crowd of passengers huddled together in
| so small craft, effeclually baffled the
spirited exertions that Mr.. Kuper and his
crew still made to subdue The raging ele-
ment. In this periloas situation Mr.. K.
intent only on saving the lives OF his pas.
sengers, directed the boat 10 be run on
| shore in nearing which, and before the
water shoalec to the depth of mans
height; she struck upon rock but the
| De Saiaberry having fortunal ely two large
American boats, belonging to some RATS
men who we're returning home, attached
to her, these with his own boat would have
been fully adequate to save every individ,
ual and much of the property /; several
passengers at this moment in state of
uncomfortable alarm, precipitated them
selves into The water, and though every
exertion was made to save them, FIVE or
six unhaPpily perished-an American
gentleman, cabin passengers whose
name is unknown, is supposed TO have
been of this number. 1t will hardly be
credited that in this eminent peril, char.
acters were found So inhumanly dspraved
as to avail themselves of the common
/ distress to plumber their fellow sufferers
IL has however been reported tn us, and
; we fear upon good authority, that thi,
was the case, and that some of the first
, who landed detained the boats, regardless
5 of the lives of those who remained or
board, and commenced a most bruta
i late hour eflhe day many were vet in :
S brutal state of intoxiCation, uiterinp the
most terocious eXecrations and threat.
against the proprietors ofthe vessel.
II is but justice to MIR. Kuper to ado
that, during the whole of this irving
scene. his exertions for the general safet,
were nnremitIing. We are sorry to ENC
tina! the boat was moi insured, and tina
he, thereby, sustains heavy loss, inde
pendent OF the property he had on board
being principal owner Mr.. Willard
OF Sheffield, is said to have lost property
TO the amount of 1900. Mr.. Carrier and
: Mr.. Franchere, of Chambly, were also
, sufferers. The destruction of this boa
VIII prove serious inconvenience to the
public, as by means of her regular
communication with Lake ChampIair
had been opened, and Mr.. Kuper sparet
neither pains nor expense to render &C.
: combinations equal to those of any other
+ boat of her class.
Mr.. Kuper expresses the utmost graft
tude to the proprietors of the steam boa
Telegraph, for their alacrity in sending
that boat TO their assistance; several gen,
tiemen OF Quebec, also rendered him
their services. The boat drifted as ths
=. tide rose, and was last seen off ST Angus.
tine, nearly burnt to the waters edge,
Hitherto the steam boats upon the ST
Lawrence have been singuIarly fortunate
. this being the FIRST serious accident whic h
has occurred.
1t is unnecessary FOR US to appeal to
the feelings of public, always keenly
alive 20 the calls of humanity, in behalf
OF the unfortunate strangers who, by this
cruel accident, are left destitute. We
have no doubt that the deserving part of
them will experience relief in the gene.
roslty OF the inhabitants oil Canada,
since writing the above, we have been
informed that the hull of the boat, having
driited as far as PoiDte aux Tremble, up
SeiS and the engine sunk-makine The
whole total loss of between and 10000.
ROBBERY.