The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1824-05-27

John Winter and John Cibbonss both OF Phi.
isdeIphis Alexander Cromwell OF Jamsics-
Nancy Dougherty, Of Auburn-Liny Taylor,
Of New York-Ioseph Stevens, OF Ireland
Michael Eekfeli, OF Pbilsdelphis-Thomas
Bfsdun, Of Wilmington, DeI.--snd Mrs. Ann
Thomss of PhilsdeIphis, all but three Of whom
belonged TO the boat.
Itis believed rhst four others will not sur.
vive--but that Mr.. Bradun and Eeklelt will
recover.
Mr.. John Pearee, and Mr.. Ryers, both of
Philadelphia, escaped without injury, being
on deck near the bow.
Jonathsn Case, of Sebcnectsdy-Bened
Arnold, Of Amsterdam, N Y-Mf. Hescock
and lady, are also empDg those saved.
When this awful occurrence took place, tho
steam. boat United States was about S miles
as,ern, and coming up with the Atns, took
her in tow and left her in Whitehall clip.
Capt. Robinson, who was DOT much injured,
did ell that II was possible for man to do TO
save those uninjured, and 10 afford assistance
to the wounded. His conduct 10 spoken Of IN
The highest terms of.prsIse. The Etna was
under an easier pressure of steam than usual,
making, as We afe informed, but 10 strokes
minute, while % is her usual gauge.
The remains Of NJ, Furmsn's fsmily, end
tho daughter OF Mr.. Andrew Bates, were in.
tsrred yesterday sle noon, followed by nu.
merous concourse of mourning and sympa
thising citizens.
The N Y. Statesman fornisbes tho FOL-
lowing addi,ionsl psriicula's:
"The centre cabin, in which we're all tho
ladies, was the chief scene OF death. A. the
moment Of the explosion, several Of the male
passengers were standing against .he railing
near the boat, slung at the side, into which
they sprung, lowered themselves into tho wa.
ter, and escaped without material inlusy, and
from whence they saw The heads end arms OF
Two or three Of the females extended from tho
cabin windows, crying piisousy for relief in
The las, sgonIes Of life.
II was supposed 10 DO three or iout min.
u,es before the explosion spent its force, and
nearly fifteen before tho steam had cleared q.
way 50 as 10 admit Of entering the cabin, who're
q scene Of death and terror was presented
which may be imagined, but cannot be do.
scribed. The bulk heed of tho cabin, chairs,
tables, and the bodies OF the dead aud the dy.
ing, wero all driven into one mass at the ex.
lremity Of the cabin. Csp,ain Robinson and
Mr.. Messero frs, entered, tho laiter ex.
aiming, my wis! my wife J" ss he caught
her, end ran upon deck, only 10 time for her
10 expire 10 his sfms. He had beoD married
but about six weeks, when his wife was torn
from him in the bioom OF life and the spring
line of hope,
This awful calamity has excited great sen.
sation, end cast gloom over the whole city
IL is almost impossible to ascertain what Was
he immediate cause Of this disaster. IL 10
said that the Etns wss al the limo under On
easier pressure of steam than usual. Wc are,
powever, Inclined 10 the opinion that the
LEAN must have been quite high, from the
rrribIe destruction the explosion occssioned
We also heard a passenger remark, that the
norses were put to their utmost, the whole
distance from Philadel phia--,he word Wa
'' eallop, galop," and it was his belief that an
ffori was making TO perform the trip 10 the
quickest possible time. On The other hand,
We have understood that Captain Robinson 10
a remarkably careful and prudent man.
But one thing is cet,sin. The Etna was
propelled by On engine consuuc,ed on tho
high pressure principle, end in almost every
instance, particularly on the Mississippi, Of
ne bursting of boiler, it has been found that
u was Of engines Of this description. We
updsrs,snd ths, Robert Fulton always eonsid.
cred them very dangerous, steadily opposed
hem, and thought they ought no, 10 be used.
The loss Of human Lille in this instance may
we think, be fairly assigned TO the high pres.
sure engine, and We think as impartial Edit.
ore, we owe il TO tho public to caution them
20 avoid oil boats propelled by higb hresssre
engines.
The following letter gives on account Of the
explosion Of tho E.tna, which will be read
with interest. II was written by On eye.wit.
ness OF the dreadful scene, q passenger, to his
friend 10 Philadelphia:
NEW YoRK. May Is.
I, is With pain inlor m you ol an awful oc.
currenee that took place al o'clock last even.
ing, on board tho Steam. Boat Etns, Captain
Thomas Robinson, when about seven miles
from, and in sight Of the city, her boilers
bursting with aoise like thunder, and throw.
log the pieces upon the quarter deck where
n IL