Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-08-18


deck, at the instant Of percriving the flames,
put the head of the boat sboreward. She
had scarcely got under way in that direc-
lion, than the tiler ropes were burnt asunder
Two miles at least from the land, the YES
sci took shear. and borne upon the current.
made several revolutions. until she struck
off across the river. A bar brought her up
for the moment
The flames had now extended fore and aft
At the first alarm several deck passengers
had gotten into the yawl that hung suspend
ed by the davlts. A cabin passenger en-.
dowed with some degree of courage and
presence OF mind, expostulaied with them,
and did all that he could to save the boat for
the ladies' Twas useless. One took out
his knife and cut away the forward tackle
The next instant, and they were all, to the
number Of twenty or more, launched into
the angry waters. They were seen no
more.
The boat being lowered from The other
end, filled. and was useless. Now came
thetrying moment Hundreds leaped from
the burning wreck into the waters. Moth
ers were seen standing on the guards, with
dishevelled hair, praying for help. Their
dear little innocents chung TO the side OF
their mothers, and with their tinny hands
beat away the burning flames. Sisters call.
ed out TO their brothers in unearhly voices
save me. oh my brother.--wives crying
to their husbands TO save their children, in
total icrgetfulness of ,hemselves----every
second or two a desperate plunge of some
poor victim falling on the appalled, ear
the dashing TO and fro OF The horses on the
iorecastle, groanng for pain Of the devour
ing elemenls-the continued putting Of the
engine, for il still continued TO go--iht
screaming mother, who had leaped over
board in the desperation Of the moment with
her only child-the flames mounting to the
sky with the rapidly OF ligh,ning-shall
ever forget that scene-the hour Of horror
and alarml Never, were TO live till tn,
memory shall forget all else that ever cam,
to the senses. The short half hour tina
separated and plunged into eternity 200 hu
man beings has been so burnt into the mem
DRY ths, even now l think of it more thar
half the day.
was swimming to the shore with all m,
might, endravoring 10 sustain a mother an,
child. My strength failed me. The bab'
was no.hing--a mere cork. "Go. GO" salt
the brave mother. save my child, save m,
-" and she sunk TO rise no more
Nerved by the resolution OF that woman.
reached the shore in safety. The babe
saved ERE reached the beach. The Sher
rod had swung off the bar, and was sowl,
floating down, the engine having cease'
running Ia every direction heads doue,
the suface OF the river. A new, and still
more awful appearance the burning wrecI
now bore. Mothers were seen clinginj
with the last hope to the blazing timber.
and dropping off one by one The scream
had ceased A sullen silence rested o'e
the devoted vessel The flames became iii
ed of their destructive work.
| While sat dripping and overcome upo
the beach, steamboat, the Columbus, hov
in sight. aud bore for the wreck. II seen
ed like one last ray Of hope cleaning acros
the dead gloom Of that night. Sewers
wretches were saved. And still anoihr
the Statesman, hove in sight. More, NOR
were saved.
A moment, TO me, had only elapsed, whe
. high in the heavens the cinders flew, an
the country was lighted all around Sti
another boa, came booming on. | was hal
py that more help had come. Alter an e!
change of words with The Columbus he col
how my heat sunk within me The wav,
1 created by this boat sent many poor mo
tai 10 his long home. A being BY the nam
Of Dougherty was the captain Of that me
I CHESS boat. Long may he be remembered
Y My hands were burnt, and now bega
: TO experience severe pain. The scene b
d fore ms-the loss OF my two sisters an
! brother, whom | had missed in my conf
sion-all had steeled my heart. coul
b not weep-I could not sigh. The cries
/. the babe at my side were nothing to me.
y Again-another explosion and the vi
b lers closed slowly and suddenly over ii
$ scene of disaster and death. Darkness r
d sumed her sway. and the stiffness was onl
interrupted by the distant efforts Of the G.
d lumbus and Statesman in their laudiable e.
D ertions to save human life.
Captain -- lost, l believe. faith,
and child Some argue this is punis
!, ment enough No. il is not He had Il
lives OF Hundreds under his charge. Il
D was careless OF his trust he was guilty
g crime that nothing will ever wipe OUT
q The blood of 200 victims is crying o.
from the depth Of the father of waters G
! vengeance. Neither society nor law wi
e forgive il His punishment is yet to com
s May never meet him.
= could tell of scenes of horror that wou
: rouse the indignation Of stone; but ha'
), done AS to myself cond tell you niue
y IN incite YOUR interest Ii was more ihu