The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-05-24

eNas, derived from Stnteneh fcScHu! 'e
turned from that country. All was quiet
and the people in good spirits. The army
under Gen. Johnson, was at La Baca, and
in fine condition. Congress commenced
its second session at Houston Oh the 18th.
Government was about to negotiate n loan
for five millions. The tide Of emigration
was immense, and thousands were on their
way thither. Every preparation was max
ing for the cultivation of extensive crops of
cotton, grain, sugar, &c.
! PAINFULLY INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE.
Loss or A STEAMBOAT WITH NEARLY ONE
HUNDRED AND FORTY LIVES.
The Express Mail at New York on Fri
day last, brought accounts from New Or
leans up to the 18th inst, and late ntelli-
gence from Mexico and Texas, which
will be found in another column. The
subject Of most interest is the account of
another of those terrible disasters, attended
in the present case with great loss of life,
which are of such frequent occurrence to
the steamboats, on our western waters.
The steamboat Ben Sherrod from New
Orleans, will, nearly two hundred persons
on board, took fire OH the Mississippi, aud,
having quantity of gunpowder among her
freight, was blown up, and tits said, the lives
ofONE HUNDRED AND Forty persons lost !
The number is variously stated at from
100 to l4O, not less, however, than the
smallest number.
In list of persons saved, we notice the
name of Mr.. Asa Gates, young man of
this town.
The following extracts from New Orleans
papers give all the particulars of this heart
rending disaster.
From the ~ o. Commercial Herald.
STEAMBOAT BURNT-ONE HUNDRED AND
TWENTY LIVES LosT.-Ben Sherrod.-On
the Sth inst. fire broke out on board This
steamboat, about 80 miles below Natchez,
On her way TO Louisville it spread with
such radldily as to battle every effort on tire
part of the passengers and crew to quench
~. In few minutes after the fire was dis
covered, The whole boat was enyeloped 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 wa
ter and attempt swimming, or floating on
such articles as they could find, or TO perish
= in the flames. In the confusion and alarm
without taking the precaution to protide
themselves with plank or box, and were
drowned; many more it is feared were
burned to death.
So rapid was the spread Of the fire, and
so destitute were those on board OF all
means of escape, that nothing could be
saved, not even register OF the boat, so
that it is impossible to say how many were
lost, or what were their names. The pas
senoers and crew amounted to over l6O.
Fl One gentleman, Mr.. Cook, ffoated down
the river some miles before he was picked
up. He hailed wretched and desplcable
character who had put off in yawl from
the shore, and begged his ass stance.-The
, Infamous scouudrel, who was only intent on
picking up boxes, &C., asked with the Ut
most sang froid-" How much will you give
me ?" TO the entreaties of others for help
he replied" Oh, you are very well of
there Keep cool, and you'll come out
comfortable ~
Poor Davis, the pilot who was at the
wheel during the fire, was conyerslng with
friend of ours, just before he left this city
abou. the burning of the ST. Martinsyilie,
and the burning Of her tiller rope three or
four years since eff ever Fm in boat
al, 4, \ a m
her ashore. it will be because l shall be
| burnt up in her !" Poor fellow, his state
6 ment has been verified; he was burnt up
in the Ben Sherrod.
Ou, of nine ladies that were on board
]; only two have been saved, the captain:
4 wife aud Mrs. Smith Of Mobile, their hus'
;, bands threw hen coops into the river, jun
;, ped off the wheel house, the ladies followed
= their example, and were saved.
One scene was distressing III the extreme
4 a Young and beautiful lady, whose name a
present we cannot learn, on hearing the CT.
of fire, rushed out Of the ladies cabin, II
her loose night dress, III search Of her hus
:. baud, at the same time, holding her infan
d to her bosom in endeavoring to get for
h ward, her dress caught fire, and was tor
from her back 10 save her life; after wit
Messing her husband fall into the flames, il
IS the forward part of the boat, unable I
y reach him she leaped with her child into tn
d water, seized plank and was carried b
the curren, within 80 yards Of the Colum
bus, but Just rs she had seized a rop
thrown from the steamboat, both motbe
5, aud child susk to rise no more
y Our limits preclude the possibility o
y enumerating the various hear-rendinI
IS sights that this calami,ous affair occasioned
The captain, for instance, saved his wife
= but saw his two children perish. Nj
i Smith saved bis wife aud one child, an,
i and saw the nurse rush madly through th
: flames with his daughter, aud both perished