The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-01-11

Frsm De ,,folie Commercial Rsr4stkT.
In the afternoon of Friday last. the Steam
Boat Rdsman, from Mobile, While on her
way mp the river and within few miles
of this plare, accidentally took fire, &, 10
getier with a large and valuable cargo ol
Merchandise. destined Cor this aud other
townsabosc, was entirely destroyed. From
Information obtiised. the alarm was given
by one of the passengers, who, leaving tho
cabin from diuner, discovered the flames
insuiug forth immediately aft of the smoke
pipes. The wind blew very fresh at the
time from n. w. and the boat was propeI
led very rapidly against it; and from lis
unfortunate course, in this instance In.
disaster IN great measure may BIZ aitribnt
ed strong current of air blowing i'm the
furnace enflamed the burning material. and
raised greater blast, aud in this unfnrtn
nate occurrence il is supposed to have caus.
ed the new tarred pine plank shelter Of the
machinery to take fire from the great heat
ofihe smoke pipes. The fire, increasing
by the wind and the progress of the boat
against it, was such that in few minutes
a considt rahle part of the roof or upper
deck, sheltering the cabin and machinery.
fth thAFihiil1 tIfhflD iHt W ittlt ltDIln DI
the boat, was entirely enveIvoped in flames
The awful sight, together with the dire a
hrm improperly and untimely given hy the
engineer, and others rs timd, very long
before any danger could ensue that the
boilers would burst that there was gun
powder on board ! spread terror and CON
fusion around, so that, except by Jew
praiseworihy and undaunted individuals,
very few and feeble efforts were made 10
save any thing but life.
The boat was turned towards shore
and retained there for while by a fast
made 10 tree, and time seemed only re
manning for the passengers. officers and
crew to throw out some luggage and seek
their personal safety; and in the haste the
books and papers of the boat, together
with the letter bag, supposed TO contain
considerable of money, was, To increase
misfortune, unfortunately left on board. A
lnong those the most active 10 extinguish
the flames, in cutting and tearing away the
consuming parts, throwing of wafer. &c.
was The master, capt JrG'ery, who is en-
titled To much applause for his intrepidiiy
and excrtons, though Intellectual, in his
endrayours to save both cargo and boat ::
regardless Of the unreasonable, faint heart
ed, though doleful cry of boilers bursting,
powder exploding, boat consuming, &c, h .
while animating those with him by MS
hopes of success, and Encouraging them by
his example, exerted his utmost To crush
thu flames and Notwithstanding the en-
treaties of others with MIR. Grabam the
ow aer to desist aud no logger haz'rd his
life, yet he remained on board long after
hope had nfd of cxtinsuising the fire, en-
deavouing (by scatillne to save u part by
s. king the whole. The hawscr by which
: he boat was kept at the shore, soon after
was burned, aud the wreck while in its
greatest blaze inwrapt, driited down the
stream, a sublime but sad spectacle to the
owner and To others de,:y interested
standing near. She lodged On sand bar
about mile below, where upon examina-
ton the day after, it was ascertaned that
The fire had penetrated to the lowest tier of
stowagc before water sufficient entered the
nui to exlinguish it and of the cargo, *
rept some iron, damaged hard DWARF, and
perhaps s6me hbls. OF liquors on the floor
t,tr, lille or nothing can be saved.