Litchfield enquirer., 1837-06-01
Nrw OR1EANs, May 17.

Nheyrod-The NatcheZ PdPeIS NE .I finer particulars of the deploraple JOSS oi t,le Ben Sherrod. At the tune she .ooA ntG. 1sa; sao ,;e and Inc fire took from the great heat ot inc boilers, caused by raising her steamtolts avtreme nower-a barrel of whiskey was nIaced on deck for the use of the hands du- r;no the race. who drank to excess and be- came intoxicated.
 At about l2 o'clock at night the furnace became so heated that it communicated ire to the wood, of which there was on board about sixty cords. When the crew discoV- cred the fire, they all left their posts and ran for the yawl without giving any alarm to the messengers, who were all asleep Ill thelr berths. The captain for time attempted 10 allav the extreme confusion by stating that inc fire was extinguished twice he forbid inc lowering of the yawl, which was attempt ed by the deck hands and passengers. The ! shrieks of nearly three hundred persons on hoard now rose wild and dreadful The cry was 10 the shore to the shore and the boat made for the starboard shore, but did not gain it, as the wheel rope might have given Way. or the pilot been driven by the flames from his station. The steam was not let oil, and the boat kept on. The scene of horror now beggarded all description.
 The yawl, which had been filled with the crew had sunk, drowning some who were in in even time to dress There were ten ladies <on board, who all went overheard without uttering a single scream, some drowning iH- stantly, and others clinging to planks-tWo of the number were finally saved. Some of the passengers are supposed to have been burnt up on board the Ben Sherrod-one man by the name of Ray, from Louisville, Kv., hung to rope at the bow of the boat, until taken up by the yawl of the steamboat Columbus, which arrived about half an hour after the commencement of the disaster, on her downward passage. MT. Rays face and arms were much burnt while clinging to the boat in the above position-he lost $2O, 1000 in Natchez and United States paper.
 The steamboat Alton arrived half an hour after the Columbus, but from the careless ness or indiscretion of those on board, was the means of drowning many persons who were floating in the water. She drove into the midst of the exhausted sufferers, who were too weak longer to make exertion, and by the commotion occasioned by her wheels, drowned large number. A gentleman by the name of Hamlinton, from Limestone county, Alabama, was floating on barrel, and sustaining also lady, when the Alton drove up and washed them both underline lady was drowned, but MT. Hamlinton came
  when he was taken up by the steamer States man.
 Mr. Mcdowell attributes the drowning of his wife to the indiscretion of the managers of the Alton, as she was floating safely on a plank at that time. MT. Mcdowell sustain ed himself some time against the current so that he only foated two miles down the river, when he swan ashore ten miles above Fort Adams.
 Mir. Rundell foated down the river ten miles, and was taken up by fiat boat, at the mouth of Buffalo creek. He saved his money in his pantaloons pocket, but lost one thousand dollars worth of freight. MT. Mc- Dowell lost his wife, son, a lady, Miss Fran ces Few, who was under his protection, and | a negro servant.
 There were 235 persons on board, of which | not more than sixty escaped, leaving l75 | drowned, including the Captains three child ren, and his father. His wife was picked up by flat boat, badly burnt.
 Curious Adrentwe.-A schooner bearing the name of the Western Trader, having on board several hands, cleared from Cleave- land for Detroit on the 18th of last Decem- Der, and become fixed in the ice on the 17th, about fifteen miles from Detroit River Since that time up to Friday last, the vessel
 
 crew, subjected to short supplies of clothing and food, have been exposed to the speltings of the pitiless storm for more than five months. in the most forbidding season of the year. This little company, whose adven- lures under different circumstances would afford subject of thrilling romance, have been deprived of the blessings of home and the comforts of all domestic and social soci- ety. Providence, however, had some regard for our adventures, and the eye which num- bers the hairs of our heads and watches the motions of the sparrow, was not unmindful of those who were destined to be exposed to the storms of severe winter. Fortunately the cargo of the Trader consisted in part of corn. This was ground in Q coffee mill, and, though destitute of salt or any thing savory, it was made into cakes, which were not only palata- ble but even luxurious. For fuel they were compelled to use oats, and thus for five months they contrived to keep themselves from starving. It was the determination of the Captain of the Trader, from the outset of his troubles, to preserve his vessel, and in this determination he was nobly seconded by his crew. During all the exposure, therefore, of his vessel, the only damage sustained is simply an injury which can be easily re- paired. The schr. when she arrived at Dun- kirk, last Friday, was complete, and uniniur- ed, with the exception of the fore gaff, bulk heads, berths, &c., which had to be cut away for fuel
 The log book furnished to the Editor of the Dunkirk Beacon, states that upon one occa sion the crew left the vessel near Conneaut in order to procure provisions, which place they left with a back load each, having taken the precaution to procure a whip saw, which proved of great advantage, as on nearing the