The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-04-07
STEAMBOAT TENNESSEE.

lar event has ever occurred which has
excited SO intdse and lively an interest
IN our community as that melancholy dis
aster which htfei the Steamboat Tennes.
see. The loss oil some Of our fellow ci,i.
zens, who when expected home, were
Consigned to a@alery grave, and the re.
turn Of several who escaped from scene
OF awful peril and disn.ay, Rave created
an extreme anxiety to les,n all the par
ueu'ars Of the caiamituous event. The
! borrowing briel statement, which We have
procured from an authentic source, will
enable our readers to form some idea of
the scene, and to realize the 81 fIt rings Of
that evenlful night.
CAT about 10 O'Clock, on dark night
IN the mids, oil the snow storm, when She
was proceeding more rapidly than at any
time before, since leaving New Orleans,
the boat struck snag or planter. Just
before striking, the pilot observed it, but
had scarcely time to have the engine stop i.
! ped before the mischief was done. Most
OF the deck passengers had gone to bed ::
most OF these in the cabin we've spending
a cheerful evening together in the enjoy,
msnt 4 socisl intercourse. The shock or
Jar, as'may be supposed, was great, and
called every one instantly OH deck. Some
supplied that the boat had run against
high bank and would bound off again
without injury, but The fatal truth was
soon lscer,ained. The captain gave or
ders Instantly TO endeavour 10 stop the leak;
but tie pilot, who had been to examine
and fi'h difficulty escaped from the hold
IN Consequence Of the rushing in Of the
water, stated tha, the hole was as large as
a Common door,and couiG not be stopped:
instantly all was confusion. Every one
inquired OF his neighbour what was TO be
done, and every one as anxious TO pro.
vide Tor his OVID safety. The long boat
and yawi presented the most obvious
means OF preservation, and The passengers
near two hundred in number) crowded
to get on board. As many as i, could
contain got in the long boat, which, with
one oar, could with difficulty be managed
and consequently did not reach the shore
IN season tn return for the preservation of
any oftaose who were left. Some of the
sufferers, who found there was no chance
Tor them IN the long boat resorted to 9th.
or expedients for safety. Many swan 10
the shores some caught TO The boughs of
The willows which grew - the river, and
among which the beat HI, j drifted; some
got among the fire wood, and, it is suppo-
sed, many were lostby slipping through
and, being covered by it some chung 10
parts OF the boat, which hoated off with
them. Our fellow c',izen, MIR. Keiscr.
GOV upon the carpenters work bench; and
Mr. A.Logan,w had fallen into the water
sunk nearly 10 the bottom,o n coming I'D
fortunately caught hold of the way plank.
which formed raft, and on which he
hoaied down the stream. Mr.. Keiser
soon afterwards came up with him, and
leaving the work bench joined him on his
RAFT they floated in company about 8
miles, when seeing light on the bank,
they called Tor aid, and we're taken up by
ayoung man named Gibson. who coRduc-
ted them TO the house Of Mr.. Randolph
where they were kindly and Hospitality
treated.
O"e passenger swan with his hat and
cloak on until he peachcd taa willows,
when he deliberately relieve, himself
from the ourihen Of these outside gar
meDts, leaving them on the tree Till
next morning, and swan to shore. An.
other swan out with small bag in his
mouth, containing abou; 500 silver dol
lars, which proved Of essential service to
him for, on getting hold Of a small
plank, and throwing his arms over it, he
found the weight Of his specie, which he
then carried in his hand, admirably cal
cnlaied 10 preserve his equiiibrium.-
One passeDger,it Is said, was sick Ia his
birth, and on being told of his danger,
observed that he was TOO weak TO save
himself from drowning and appeared
reluctant 10 get up but, on being re
minded that his father was on board and
required his assistance, he sprang from
bis bed, and not only saved his own life,
but was lnsirumentaliD preserving seve.
raj others.
Scarcely any property was saved. A
few trunks and other light articles Hoat>
ed on and were picked up. Some were
plltered by wretch living in the neigh
borhood named Charles Goodwin. 9th.
ers wero preserved, and afterwards re-
claimed BY the owners.
fhe survivors speak in the highest
terms Of Mrs. BIanton, who Gin the alb.
sence Of her husband, MIR. VIM. BlaD.
'on' formerly of KY made every pos
slble exeriion for the comfort Of the suf.
Ierers. Her house was crowded, and
one or two out buildings occupied.
All the passengers unite in expressing
rpa L.