Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-09
AFFECTING DFSCRIprION


we lay this morning before readers a most par-
cuia' and affecting account of the explosion of the
steamboat Helen McGrcgor-or which we are indebted
TO Mondays u 5. Telegraph IL is impossible TO read
over without the deepest sensations 1t is dramatic.
1t brings the deplorable at once before us:
| We are ndebed TO an intelligent gentleman, pas
senger on board the Helen McGregor for the following
| interesting narrative:
On the morning OF the oath February the Helen NJ
Gregor stopped at Memphis deliver freight and land
number OF passengers, who resided in that section of
Tennessee The time occupied in so doing could not
nave exceeded three quarters OF an hour. When the
boat landed, went ashore to see n gentleman with
whom had some business. found him on the beach;
ana amer short converse ion, returned 10 the boat
recolcc looking at my watch passed the gang-way.
III was halt past O'clock great number of persons
were standing on what is called the boiler deck being
mat part oil the upper deck situated Immediately over
the boilers. Ii crowded 10 excess and presented
one dense mass OF human bodies. In few minutes We
sat down to breakfast in the cabin The table al.
'hough extending the whole length of the cabin
completely hlied, there being upwards of sixty cabin
passengers among whom were several ladies' and chill
dren The number of passengers on boarl deck and
cabin united, was between four and five hundred. I
had almost finished my breakfast when the pilot rung
ms bell Tor the engineer to put his machinery i'm notion
The boat having just showed of, I was in the act of
raising my cup TO my lip, the nglng of the pilot bell
yet on my ear, when heard explosion, resembling
the discharge OF small piece of artilIerythc report
was perhaps, louder than usual in such cases-for an
exclamation was half uttered by me to the effect that
the gun was well loaded, when the rushing sound of
steam, and the rafting of glass i'm some of the cabin
windows, checked my speech and told too we'll what
hal occurred. almost Involuntary bent my head and
/ body down TO the loor vague idea seemed TO shoot
across my mind that more than boiler might burst
am mat, by assuming this posture, the destroying mat
ter would pass over without touching me. The gener-
al cry Of ga boiler has burst" rcsoundcd from one end
OF the table TO the other; and, as if by simultaneous
movement, all started on their feet Then commenced
general race to the ladies cabin which Law more TO.
wards the stern of the boat All regard TO order or de-
ference of sex, seemed TO he lost in the struggle for
which should be first and farihcst removed from the
dreaded boilers The danger had already passed away
| remained standing by the chair on which had been
previously sitting Only person or two staid in the
cabin with As yet not more than half minute had
leapsed since the explosions; but in that brief space
how had the scene changed In that "drop Of time
what confusion distress and dismay An instant before
and all were in quiet reposc of security-another ant
they were overwhelmed with alarm and CONSERVATION
II is but justice TO say that in this scene of terror tho
ladies exhibited q degree Of frmness worthy of al
praise. No screaming, no faining; their fears wher
uttered for their husbands aud children not Io
themselves.
advanced from my position TO one Of The cabin door.
for the purpose Of inquiring who were injured, when
Just az reached IT,, entered ut the opposite DC
both his hands converting his face and exclaing col
| God on God | am lost am ruined !" lie immcd.
atcy began TO tear off his clothes When stripped hr
presented most shocking and affecting spectacle: his
face entirely black--hs body without a particle o.
skin. He had been naycd alive lie gave me hi.
name and place Of abode-thcn sunk in a state of ex
haustion and agony the floor assisted in placine
him on mattrass taken from one Of the births and co