Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-01
From the Baltimore american.
THE BEN SHERROD.

There is some degree Of satisfaction in
knowing that the late appalling and wanton
destruction oil human lives on board the
steamboat Ben Sherrod is not passed by in
utter indifference by the people residing on
the Mississippi. A public meeting Of the
citizens Of Natchez has been held for the pur-
pose of inquiring into the facts connected
with this most melancholy affair, and COM
miliee specially charged with the duty of
making The investigation have made report
oi them, founded on the testimony within
their reach. The report declares
THAT the steamboat Ben Sherrud left the
city Of N. Orleans, bound fer Louisville, ha-
Wing on board upwards OF two hundred pass
sengers, inclusive Of the crew, the steam
boat Prairie leaving about the same time
for the same place aud that the said boats
had been tracing" from the time ,hey lief,
New Orleans, until the fatal occurrence
which took place about IL miles above Fort
Adams, at o'clock, on the morning of the
9Th inst. the Prairie being few miles ahead;
that previous TO that lime said boats had pas
| sed and repassed each other sume twice or
three times.
1.-The Sherrod had been on FIRE, and was
known TO be SO by the hands on said boat
some time before the alarm was given 10 the
passengers IN The cabins on the lower deck
and that ample time elapsed after the discov
cry OF the fire, 10 have run the boat ashore
ana landed every passenger ON her. she be
ing then not exceeding 200 yards from the
shore ON the right hand side of the river, hui
that no attempt whatever was made TO effect
landing, after the discovery OF said fire, un
lIl several minutes had elapsed when the
Captain, GO. u. Castleman, y finding that The
boiler deck was in flames, ordered the pilot tc
run her ashore, but il was now too late, the
hux
flames. The Captain then ordered the en-.
gineer TO stop the boat, but he had fled IRON
! his post, thus leaving the boat under full
Roadway, uncontrolled by the pilot, ant
hearing out from the shore farther into tho
middle cf the river. The flames had now
reached nearly TO the stern of the boat al
was CONSERVATION and despair, the yawl sus
pended 10y pullies, was Immediately filled
with passengers, aLG ia lowering il to III,
surface oi the water, some one cut away the
DOW rope, which caused the yawl TO be rur
down, and the loss OF all within it. The re-
J NAMING passengers and crew were now for
ced overheard by tho approaching flames.
! he report further states ''that al the time
the Sherrod took fire the hands On duly wer,
IN state oil intoXication, having access al al
J times 10 barrel OF whiskey, placed Eorwsrt
oil The boiler deck for their use and that IN,
engineer then on duty was equally culpable
having furnished The frsmen with Iarg,
quantities OF brandy or other spirits. as AZ
inducemeni 10 keep up excessive fires. viii
a;wew OF overlaking the steamboat Prai, lie
I then ahead OF them"
severe censure is cast upon the captain o
the Sherrod for his great indscretion AM
neglect OF duty, aud for the great disregar,
manifested for the safety OF his passengers
he Committee state that not less than on,
hundred and fifty lives were the sacrifice o
this outrageous proceeding.
:, he Report was unanimously accepted h,
! The meeting and resolutions were subsequent,
{ ~ offered and adopted, expressive of the sen
timents OF strong Misrepresentation entertained
IN reference 10 the conduct of the captain %
lie Sherrod, in particular, and avowine Ia,
necessity oflegislative action in order TO rem
der sale the immense trade and travel on ia,
Mississippi.
committee was appointed 10 memorial
iSe the State Legislature On The subject, ant
! 10 pray that body 10 call the attention of In,
legislatures of all the States bordering ON III,
! mississippi and Ohio rivers TO il.