Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-31

lie following distressing intelligence
was marked for the Telegraph, in another
paper, last week, but our printers had filled
Their columns before they got their hands
omit.
Loss OF THE STEAMER BEN SHER-
RoD'-Dreadtul Steamboat Disaster.-
seldom have we been called on to record
olsaster IN which the sacrifice of human
lie mas been so great. While she was
vending her way Just above Fort Adams,
ABOUT o'clock in the morning of the 9Th |
May small pile of wood in front of the
furnace caught fire. In few moments
the flames spread in every direction.-|
Inc Columbus, at that moment descend !
,'lng the river, rounded to and saved several
OF the passengers. But with all the as
Slstance that she could render, more than
~ persons persisted. There were two
G'S''nct exPIosions-one supposed to be
the boilers, and the other to be from a
quantity of powder on board. A passen-
ger on board the Columbus describes the
scene as the most awful he ever witnessed.
Inc screams Of men, women and chill
dren' pierced the air for miles around,
while IN the bright light that went up
from the waters, the hanging forms of the
poor Wretches as they clang convulsivelv
to the burning sides of the baot, struck the
deepest anguish into the heart ofthe spec
tator.-N. O. American.
Beng 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 10 save themselves bv
swimming, or floating on such articles as
they could find. or to perish in the flames.
In the confusion and alarm, many who
could not swim sprang overheard, without
taking the precaution to provide them
selves with a plank or box, and were
drowned many more it is feared were
burned to death. Few even of those now
living would have survived, had not the
steamer Columbus, Capt Jones, come tc
J their assistance. A number were picked
, up, but greater number sunk before aid
could reach them. The steamer States
o man also picked up six or seven.
s So rapid was the spread of the fire, anc
so destitute were those on board of al
), means of escape, that nothing could b.
n saved, not even the register of the boat -
= so that it is impossible to say how man,
were lost, or what were their names
+ The passengers and rev amountedt to owe
. l6O. Only SO or SO were saved.
q Altogether this has been one of tn
n most serious disasters that has happene
J. in the annals of Mississippi steamboats,; =
rs there being at least one hundred and ff
D. families deprived by it of some dear an
nj beloved member-over one hundred b,
70 'ngs hurried by it out of time into eternit,
ID With scarce moments warning. An
e. amongst those who are saved MANY ar
n SAID to be severely burnt; some, SO muc
re- so, that their recovery is very doubtful.
VI We understand that 3 different expIc
W sions took p ace on board the boat Will;
n burnlng-lrst, barrels Of whisky brand,
ID &c. then the boilers blew up, with frai
7e full explosion, and lastly, 80 barrels {
h. gunpowder exploded which stre,xed tn
" surface of the river with fragments.
I'd 1t is insuferable that such dangerou
Id articles as powder and spirits should +
f. received on board steamboats,, designed
of carry passengers. Severe penal law
ought to be passed to prevent it-N
no Euan.
~ FROM MEx1co-Vera Cruz, Abr
GU l8th.-Dear Sir am happy in5 bcin
al able TO state that so far as our knowlede
extends, tranquility prevails throug ho,
hng the Republic. Much is expected fro
ne Bustamente, who is elected President.
~. was hoped he would restore public conf
y dence.
ia The war with Texas is to be renewe
tic backed by loan often millions of dollar
ny two millions of which have already be-
~ negotiated by the government with ii
81 house Of Rubio, Quintana, Aguerro, al
'ut Others whose names are withheld fro
pc the public. They are to be secured |
III paper on the custom houses to be found
us on duties to the exclusion Of former issu
VI, of the government.
'o The Z. S. government and citize
ul- are in bad odor With the Mexican authc
ny tiles, and it is not Thought the Unit
u.s. States will be able to obtain the satistactit
ny expected for grievances which they ha
~ experienced, and it is doubtful whether
''e representative of the government will
ou- received at court
' III Affairs | hope will present more
Tau vorabIe aspect. when General Bustamen
s an takes office. He is a gentlemanly, cou
' In teous and well informed man, has Sc
IA a. much ofthe world, and doubtless profit
~ ~ much by his travels. am inclined
0o think him liberal in his sentiments-a
he will exert himself to conciIiate t
~ friendship of foreign nations, and to CO.
, I pose the conflicting elements of his own,
,NS N. O. Bee, May II.