Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-05-25
(From The New Orleans Bee.
HORRIBLE CATASTROPHE.

One of those terrible accidents but too com
mon on the western rivers s,occurred on Tues
day at one o'clock in the morning, by which
one hundred and fifty lives were lost. The
steamer Ben Shcrrod, Captain Castleman,ett
this place on Sunday morning bound to Lou
isville, aud Ut the time just mentioned. when
about thirty miles below Natchcz, she was
found to be enveloped in flames, and ont Of
near 200 persons on board only about 80 or
TO were saved. The fire is believed TO have
orig mated from the wood used as fuel being
piled up near the boiler. The story of the
disaster was related to as by II young man
who was a cabin passenger. and IL Is nwtully
intcresting.an his own escape almos, mirac.
ulous. When he awokc he put on his clothes,
and leapcd into the yawl which was hanging
at the stern, and was followed by about 40
other lone Of whom cut the rope connect.
ing the stern Of the steamer 10 the bow Of
the yawl, and the latter canted over and hung
in perpendicular position, the bow toward
the water. All on board were precipitatcd
into the water and are believed to have been
drowned, with the exception Of the narrator,
and he saved himself by cingrng 10 the
thwaits.
In u few minutes, about twenty Of the crew
made their way to the stern of the steamer,
and placed themselves in The boat, suspended
~ she was. One of thcm mprudcnily took
out his knife and cut the rope which attached
the steamer TO the stern OF the yawl, and she
plunged, rs might have been expected, full
twenty feet under water. All that had been
hanging to her were missing, g,cxccpt four aud
the individual who relates the story. lie
says, when he rose to the surface, he found
himself under the yawl, and she was lying
k..Ska nntn rStr nrtiv md N.
at swimming, he worked his way from under
meath and mounted on her bottom, where be
was soon joined by the four other men who
had saved themselves, and in this situation
they hoatcd ~ miles down the river, before
they were picked up by the Columbus.
CaDt. Castieman, by vigorous cXertions saw
cd his wife and two chilJren-one of his chill
dren and his father were lost. A Mr.. Smith
also had the luck to save his wife nnd one
child-and we add with pain that one Of his
children is missing.
There was somc powder on board, in wha,
quantity we know not-but the knowledge
th,t it was there seemed to have paralyzct
the efforts Of the crew, and its explosion nd
ded to the deep horrors Of the scene. W.
are informed that there were nine ladies u
board, only two Of whom were rescued
The survivors Of this appalling disaster. 4
unanimously concur in expressions OF til
warmest gratitude to Captain Jones OF th
Columbus, for his activity in picking them NJ
and for his kindness while on board his stean
er. The steamboat Alton passed downwar
not long after the accident occurred, whe
many unfortunates were still struggling Ia
life in the water. The survivors are not quit
SO eloquent in their expressions OF gsatitud
TO the commander Of the Alton, as they wer
toward Captain Jones.
The following are the names Of the person
saved. furnished by Capt Castleman. 1t
hoped there are others not yet discovered.
Capt. G. q. Castleman and lady, Georg
Stiles, clerk, VIM. Bell. 1st engineer, ST
phen Hooks, I'd do, Charles Greenlee, pile
Samuel Pig, I'd mate, John Hill, carpenter.
Cre,c.-Patriek Rice, Jacob Rose, Jac
Lightstroff, Edward Fleece, John Egman,
Mcdaniel, A Goddin, Moses Caldwell, Am
Purdy, Charles Anderson, Bully Johnson,F y
ter Suvier, M. O'tTara, Robert Louisiana
Charles Simms, Andrew Moore, Fred. Co
en-, Josiah Fisher, John Caldwell, John Co
John Johnson.
Cabin passengers.- Smith, lady a
sop, Thomas Larmer, Thomas Cook, SAINT
Ray, VIM. II. Cloud, Lister Sexton, w
Beattie, Mr.. Gamble and son, Amos Brunde
Four left at Fort Adams, names not know