Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-27
SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 3 p. NJ.
Dreadful Catastrophe.

FtJtY teceS t0St.-1hlS morning, at about
2 o'clock, the new Steamship George
Washington, of Ashtabula, hound from
Detroit to Buffalo, caught fire near Silver
Greek, and was burnt TO the waters edge.
Although but three miles out, such was
the CONSERVATION tina. the pilot steered the
wrong way. The ropes burnt, and hav-
ing no tiller, she was left at the mercy of
he ruthless element But aIonian-Er-
ira. -.aA. - -. ..~@ H.
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
AWFUL CATAsTRoPHE.-1'he Steam
boat N0rth America is uSt in, by the pas
sengers on which we learn the particu-
lars of most heart-rending calamity
the destruction of the steamboat WASH
INeToN, by fire. off Silver Greek, about
o'clock this morning, with the estimated
loss of fifty lives.
The Washington passed the N. Amer
lea while the latter lay at Erie, in the
early part of The night, aud was not again
seen by those 90 board the N. America,
until when within about three miles Of
this city, bright glare of light was dis
covered by the helmsman, in the direction
of Silver Greek, and the North America
Was immediatel v put about for the scene
of apprehended disaster.
On nearing the spot, about 6 o'clock,
the burning hull of the large and noble
boat was found drifting over the waite RS,
three or four miles from the shore, with
not living human being on board. The
lake was literally covered with hats, bon
nets, trunks, baggage, and biackened frag-
ments Of the wreck.
The intense anxiety Of the witnesses of
! this fearful scene, for the fate of the pas
sengers on the unfortunate Washington,
was partially relieved by the discovery OF
Several small bouts near the shore, in
which the survivors of the disaster had
been rescued from destruction.
The alarm hal been given at Silver
Creek, us soon as the flames were perceiv.
Ell from the shore, and all the boats that
could be found were sent to the rescue oil
the sufferers There were only three
skifs. besides the yawl of the Washing
ton which could be thus used.
The North America took on board
about 40 Of those saved, many Of whom
including all the ladies, remained on shore
There were six dead bodies picked up or
the spot-those Of four children and two
women. One man died Of his injuries
soon after reaching the shore, and ont
child was dead in its mothers arms wher
taken ont of the water
After picking up all the floating bag
gage which could be seen, the hull-whici
f was still able to float the engine-wa
, lowed into Silver Creek, where it sank il
6 or 8 fert water. The n. America re
NAMED at Silver Creek, employed in thi
, | melancholy business six or seven hours
} and everything was done by Capt. E.
/ monds, and his crew, for the relief of tn
r sufferers Their prompt and efficient sci
vices are entitled to all praise.
The i'll fated Washington was built a
AshtabuIa last winter, and made but on
trip previous to her destruction. The fir
caught near the boilers, and had mad
such progress when discovered. as to def
all attempts to extinguish it. The helm
was instantly put about, aud the beat head
ed for shore, but in a few minutes tn
, ropes arcre burnt off, and she was render
ed an un,nanagabIe wreck. Had iro
rods been substituted, as melanchoIy ex
pericnce as taught on the Mississippi, thi
appalling loss of life might have bee
E averted.
We hear that the surviving passenger
of The Washington unite in stating that u
blame was attributable to Capt. Brown
the commander
, The BufaIonian, commenting on thi
= distressing disaster, makes the foIlowin!
p remarks, TO which we most earnestl v re
! spond. 1t is high time that something
should be done for the better security O
o those who trust themselves on board Q
q steamboats,. The press, from one end c
the Union to the other, should utter an
Reuter- sentiments of this sort until some
! thing car be effected to put an end to thes
II heart-rending accidents. Boston Press.
!, One hundred ife-preservers would hav
y saved every soul on board had they bee
Il in The middle Of the lake, instead of bein
close in shore.
. 1t is not the passengers duty to provid
. them. Perhaps he makes a lake voydg
= e but once in his life. When he pays hi
- fale he has right to expect a safe COZ
veyance. When a man gets his arr
20 broken by being overset in stage coacl
he comes upon the proprietors for dana!
= es. So it should be In steamboats,. Ca
l. tains and owners should be held respons
- BILE tor every accident. No boat shou
- be allowed to take passengers that is n
: secured in every possible way, from Fl
- and explosions.-and the safety Of pa
-. sengers secured by providing means
,F escape.
~. Commissioners of navigation should
ID appointed, to inspect all boats car:yir
~ passengers, having the power of Iayir
be an Immediate injunction on any boat n