Litchfield enquirer., 1837-05-25
ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY LIVES LOST.

particulars of one of the most horrible catas- trophes it has ever been our duty to record.
 The steamer Ben Sherrod, Captain Cas- tleman, left New Orleans on Sunday mor- ming, May 7th, bound to Louisville; and on the night of the 9th, when about 30 miles be- low Natchez, she was found to be enveloped in flames, and out of near POO persons on board only about 50 or 60 were saved. In few minutes after the fire was discovered, the whole boat was enveloped in flames.
 Being in the stream, and her Wheel-rOpeS burnt off it was impossible to run her ashore; and no alternative was left to the persons on board, but to jump into the water and attempt to save themselves by swimming, or floating on such articles as they could find, or to per isn in the flames. In the confusion and a. larm, many who could not swim sprung over board, without taking the precaution to pro vide themselves with a plank or box, and were drowned; many more 1t IS feared were burned to death. Few even of those now living would have survived, had not the steamer Columbus, Capt. Jones, come to their assistance A number were picked up, but a greater number sunk before aid could reach them The steamer Statesman also picked up six or seven.
 So rapid was the spread of the fire, and so destitute were those on board of all means of oscape, that nothing could be saved, not even the register of the boat; so that it is impossi- ble to say how many were lost, or what were their names. The passengers and crew amounted to over l6O.
 From, fhe Ne,c- Orleans Bee.
 The fire is believed to have originated from the wood used for fuel being piled up near the boiler The story the disaster was re- lated to us bv young man who was cabin passenger and it is awfullv interesting, and his own escape almost miraculous. when he awoke he put on his clothes and leaped into the vawl which was hanging at the stern, and was followed by about 4O other men, one of whom cut the rope connecting the stern or the steamer to the bow of the yaWl, and the latter canted over and hung in a perpendlcu- lar position, the bow towards the water All on board were precipitated into the water and are believed to have been drowned, with the execution of the narrator, and he saved him. self by clnging to the thwarts. In few minutes about twenty of the 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 hls Knife, cut the rope which attached the steamer to the stern of the yawl, and she plunged. as might have been expected, fully twenty feet under water. All that had been hanging to her were missing, except four and the lndi- vidual who relates the story; he says when 
 der the yawl and she was lying bottom up- Being strong, active and expert at swimming. he worked his way from underneath and mounted on her bottonl-Where he was soon joined by the four other men who had saved themselves. and in this situation they floated twelve miles down the river, before they were picked up by the Columbus.
 Captain Castleman, by vigorous eXertions, saved his wife and two chi!dren-one of his children and his father were lost. A MT: Smith also had the luck to save his wife and one child-and we add with pain that one ot his children is missing.
 There was some powder on board. in what quantities we know not-but the knowledge that i: was there, seemed to have parallZed the efforts of the crew, and its explosion ad- ded to the deep horrors of the scene. We are informed that there were nine ladies on board, only two of whom were rescued.
 The survivors of this appalling disaster, unanimously concur in expressions of the warmest gratitude to Capt. Jones of the Co., lumbus, for his activity in picking them up, and for his kindness while on board his steamer. The steamboat Alton passed down. wards not long after the accident occurred, when many unfortunatcs were still strug- glng for life in the water. The survivors arc not quite so eloquent in their expressions of gratitude to the commander of the Alton as they are towards Capt. Jones'
 From the HeraM
 One gentleman, MT. Cook hoatcd down the he river some miles before he was picked up lie hailed the wretched and dcspicable character who had put oil in yawl from the shore, and begged his assistance. The infamous scoundrel who was intent only on pick ing up boxes &c. asked with the utmost sang trod,- "How much will you give me ?'' To the entreaties of others for help he replied, "Oh you are very well ble!"
 Poor Davis the pilot, who was at the wheel during inc fre was conversng with friend of ours just be- fore he left this city, about tho burning of the St. Mar tinve and the hurnine of her er rope three or four years since If ever I'm in boat that takes fire (says Davis if don't run her ashore, 1t will be be- cause shall be burnt up in her!" Poor fellow! his statement has been verltied he was burnt up Tn the Ben Sherrod.
 Out of nine ladies that were board, only two have been saved, the captains wife and Mrs Smith ot Mobile, their husbands threw hen coops into the river, jumped off the wheehouse, tho ladies followed their example, and were saved.
 One scene was distressing in the extreme young and beautiful lady, whose name at present we can not earn hearing the cry of fire, rushed out of the ladies' cabin, in her loose dress in search of her hus band, at the same time holding her infant 10 her bo fire and was torn from her back to save her he a ter witnessing her husband fall into the flames m the forward part ofthe boat unable 10 reach h:n she leap ed with her child into the water, se4Zed plank and was carried by the current within so yards ot the Co lumbus but just she had seized rope thrown from the steamboat both mother and child sunk to rise no more!
 the various heart-rending sights that this caamtous affair occasonej, The captain, tor instance, saved his wife, but saw his two children perish NE. Smth saved hs wife and one chld an! saw he nurse Eush I perished. MT Gamble's wife, we understand, was burnt to death; he escaped although very badly burnt, One young man who had reached the hur7- deck in safety heard the cries of his Sister, rush