The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-06-03
TERRlBBB STEAM BOAT DISASTER.
A HUNDRED AND FIFTY LIVES
SUPPOSED TO RE LOSTI

CUEIOSEiD III BE LUST
A shocking steamboat accident occurred
on the 9th of May, upon the Mississippi,
and il is supposed that about one hundred
and fifty lives were lost. The New Or
leans Bee the Ilthlnstant gives the sub
joined particulars;
The steamboat Ben Sherrod, Captain
Castleman, left New Orleans on Sunday
morning for louisville, and about one o.
clock on Tuesday morning, when about 80
miles below Natchez, she was found to be
enveloped in flames, and out of near 200
petsens on board, only about 80 or 60 were
saved. The fire is believed TO have origin
ated from the wood used as fuel, being piled
up near the boiler. The story of the dis
aster was related to us by young man
who was cabin passenger, and tits ave-
fully interesting, and his own escape almost
miraculous. When he awoke he put on
his clothes, ndleaped into the yawb which
was hanging at the stern, and was followed
by about forty other men, one of whom cut
the rope connecting the stern of the steam
er to the bow of the yawl, and the latter
canted over and hung in a perpendicular
position, the bow towards the water. All
on board were precipitated into the water,
and are believed to have been drownded,
with the exception of the narrator, and he
saved himself by clinging to the thwarts.
In few minutes about 20 ofthe crew made
their way to the stern of the steamer, and
placed themselves in the boat, suspended
as she was. One of them imprudently took
out his knife and cut the rope which attach
ed the steamer to the stern of the yawl, and
she plunged, as might have been expected,
full 20 feet under water. All that had been
hanging to her were missing, except four
and the individual who relates the story; he
says when he rose to the surface he found
himself under the yawl, and she lying bot
tom up. Being strong, active and expert
at swimming, he worked his way from un-
derneath and mounted on her bottom, where
he was soon joined by the four other men
who had saved themselves, and in this situ-
alton they hoated IL miles down the river,
before they were picked up by the Colum-
bus.
Captain Castleman, by vigorous exer-
tons, saved his wife and two children
one of his children and his father were lost.
A Mr.. Smith also had the luck to save his
WlIC anu Ollc Cllllu-dLu We duu w LII pain
that one of his children is missing.
There was some powder on board, in
what quantity we know not--but the know
ledge that it was there seemed to have par
alyzed the efforts of the crew and its explo-
sion added to the deep horrors of the scene.
We are informed that there were nine la
dies on board, only two Of whom were res
cued,
The survivors Of this appalling disaster,
unanimously concur in expressions of the
warmest gratitude to Captain Jones of the
Columbus, for his activity in picking them
up, e. for his kindness while on board this
steamer. The steamboat Alton passed
downwards not long after the accident oc-
CURED, when many unfortunates were still
struggling for life in the water. The sur
yivors are not quite so eloquent intheir ex-
pressions of gratitude to the commander of
the Alton as they are towards Capt. Jones.