The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-04-08

soon became insensble of his earthly mis-
cry. Before ] had done attending 10 him,
the whole floor Of the cabin was covered
with unfortunate sufferers. Some bore up
under the horrors Of their situation with a
degree Of resolution amounting to herolsm.
Others were wholly overcome by the sense
of pain, the suddenness Of the fatal dsas
ter, and the near approach of death, which
even to them was eyident--whose pangs
they had already felt. Some implored US,
as al act of humanity, to complete the
work of destruction, and free them from
present suffering. One entreated the pre-
sence of clergyman to pray by him, de-
clarlng that he was not fit to die. Iinquir
ed; none could be had. On every side
were to be heard groans and mingled ex.
clamatons Of grief and despair.
To add to the confusion, persons were
every moment running about 10 learn the
fate Of their friends and relatives: fathers,
sons! brothers; for in this scene of unmix.
cd calamity, it was impossible to say who
were saved, or who had perished. The
countenances Of many were SO much dis
figured as TO be passed recognition. My
attention after some time, was particularly
drawn towards poor fellow who lay un-
noticed on the floor, without nttering a sin.
gleword of complaint. He was at little
distance removed from the rest. He was
not much scalded but one Of his thighs
was broken; and principal artery had been
severed, from which the blood was gushing
rapidly. He betrayed no displeasure at
the apparent neglect with which he was
treated-he was perfectly calm. spoke
to him; he said she was very weak; but
felt himself going-it would soon be over"
A gentleman ran for one Of the physicians;
he came, and declared that, if expedition
were used, he might be preserved by am
putating the limb; out that, to effect this, it
would be necessary to remove him from the
boat. Unfortunately the boat was not suf-
ficiently near to run plank ashore, We
were obliged to wait until it could be close
hauled. ! stood by him calling for help;
we placed him on a matrass, and bore him
to the guards; there we were detained some
time, from the cause have mentioned
Never did any thing appear to me so slow
as the movements of those engaged in
hauling the boat.
| knew, and he knew, that delay was
doath-that life was fast ebbing;I could
not take my gaze from his face--therc all
was coolnoss and resignation. No word or
gesture indicative of impatience escaped
him. He perceived by my loud, and per.
haps, angry tone ofvoice, how much was
excited by what | thought the barbarous
slowness of those around; he begged me
not to take so much trouble; that they were
doing their best. At length we got him
on shore--it was too late; he was too much
exhausted, and died Immediately after the
amputaton.
So soon us ! was relieved from attending
on those in the cabin, went to examine
that part Of the boat where the boiler had
burst. 1t was a complete wreck-a pic.
ture of destruction. 1t bore ample testimo.
ny of the tremendous force of thatpower
which the ingenuity ofman has brought to
his aid. The steam had given every thing
a whitsh hue - the boilers were displa
ced--the deck had fallen down--the ma.
chinery was broken and disordered
Bricks, dirt and rubbish, were scattered
about. Close by the bowsprit was a
large rent, through which, was told the
boiler after exploding, had passed out, car.
rying one or two men in its mouth. Sew.
eral dead bodies were lying around, their
fate had been an enviabe one compared
with that of others--they could scarcely
have been con scious Of pang ere they
had ceased to be. On the Starboard wheel
house lay human body, in which life was
not yet extinct, though apparently, there
was no sensibility remaining. The body
must have been thrown from the boiler
deck, n distance of thirty feet. The whole
Of the forehead had been blown away; the
brains were still beating. Tufts of hair
shreds Of clothing, and splotches of blood
might be seen in every direction. a piece
of skin was picked up by gentleman on
board, which appeared TO have been peel
cd of by the force of the steam. it exten.
ded from the middle of the arm down to
| tips of the fingers, the nails adhering to il
So dreadful had been the force that not a
particle Of the flesh adhered to it: the mos,
skilful operator could scarcely have effect.
ed such a result. Several died from in.
haling the steam OF gas, whose skin was
almost uninjured.
The number OLIVES lost, will in all prob.
ability, never be distinctly known. Ma.
ny were seen flung into the river, most of
whom sunk to rise no more. Could the
survivors have been kept together until the
list OF passengers was called the precise
loss would have been ascertained; that,
however, though it had been attempted,
would, under the circumstances, have been
next to impossible.
Judging from tho crowd I saw on the
boiler deck Immediately before the expIo.
sion, and the statement which received
as to the number of those who succeeded
in swimming out after they were cast into
the river, am inclined to believe that be.
tween forty and fifty might have perished
The cabin passengers escaped owing to
the peculiar construction ofthe boat. Just
behind the boilers were several large iron
posts, supporting, think, the boiler deck;
across each post was large circular plato