Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-06-07

ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY LIVES LOST
We take the following particulars of a
most appalling steamboat disaster, from
accounts in the N. Y. Express
+ by EXPRESS MAIL.
All the New Orleans slips bring us the par
tculars of one of the most horrible catas-
trophies it has ever been our duty to record.
The steamer Ben Sherrod, Captain Gas.
tleman, left New Orleans on Sunday NOR
ming, the 7th May, bound to Louisville; and
on the night of the 9th, when about 80 miles
below Natchez, she was found to be enve-
loped in flames, and out ofnear 200 persons
on board, only about so or so were saved.
In few minutes after the fire was discov-
cred, the whole boat was enveloped in
flames.
Being in the stream and her whee-ropes
burnt of, it was impossible to run her ashore;
and nc, 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 perishin the flames. In the confusion
and alarm, many who could not swim
sprang overheard, without taking the pre-
caution to provide themselves with plank
or box, and were drowned, many more it is
feare were burnt 10 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 greater number sunk be.
fore aid could reach them. The steamer
Statesman aso picked up six or seven.
So rapid was the spread Of the fire, and
so destitute we're those on board of all means
of escape that nothing could be saved, not
even the register ofthe boat so that it is i'm
possible to say how many were lost, or what
were their names.
= Further particulars.--In the confusion of
the first alarm, forty persons got into the
yawl, which was hanging across the stern
of the steamer, when some person on deck
imprudently cut the bow rope. The yawl
hung perpendicular, the bow in the water,
and all on board were precipitated into the
river. Twenty more got in it as it hung,
when some one else cut the stern rope. The
boat plunged head first into the river and
the twenty were lost. Captain Castleman,
by vigorous exertions, 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 wife and one child-one of
his children is missing. There was some
powder on board, and the knowledge seemed
to have paralyzed the efforts of the crew,
and its explosion added to the deep horrors
of the scene. There were nine ladies on
board, only Two of whom were rescued.
The survivors of this appalling disaster,
concur in expressions of the warmest graft
tude to Captain Jones, Of the Columbus,
for his activity and kindness. The steam-
boat Alton passed downwards not long
after, when many were struggling. The
survivors are not SO eloquent in their expires.
sions to the commander of the Alton as
they are towards Capt. Jones. The fol-
lowing are the names OF the persons saved,
furnished by Captain Castleman.-It is
hoped thereare others not yet discovered
Capt. c. G. Castleman and lady, Geo. Stiles
clerk, VIM. Bell LIST, Engineer, Stephen
Hooks. I'd do, Charles Creenlee, pilot,
Samuel Pig, I'd mate, John Hill, carpenter.
Crew--Pairick Rice, JAG OBJ Lightstroff,
John Egmn, A. Goddn, Amos Burby,
Bully Johnson, NJ. O'Hara, Chas. Simms,
Fred. Cowen, Willis Caldwell, John Cald.
well, John Johnson, Jacob Rose, Edward
Fleece, B. M'Daniel, Moses Caldwell,
Charles Anderson, Peter Suvier, Rob.
Louisianep, Andrew Moore, Joseph Cooper,
Josiah Fisher, John Cork. Cabin Passen.
gers--Janes Smith, lady and son, T. Cook,
Vim. III. Cloud, VIM. Beattie, Amos Brun-
dell, Thos. Larmer, Samuel Ray, Lester
Sexton, Mr.. Gramble and son. Four left
at Fort Adams, names not known. Deck
passengersr-Samuel Spuinnes, Asa Gates,
John Horbins, and six more taken up by
steamboat Statesman. Era.