The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-05-05
From the Cincinnati Whig--Extra.
Cincinnati, ApriI25.
MOST AWFUL STEAM BOAT ACCIDENT
TnGG nE 11E LIVES.

HLAbfSi1 UT l<SO HI IAf1
Il becomes again our painful duty to record one
of the most awful and destructive occurrences
known in the terrible and fatal catalogue Of steam-
boat accidents.
This afternoon about 6 o'clock, the new and ele-
giant steamboat Meselle, Captain Perm. left the
wharf Of this city (fun Of passengers) for Louis
vile and ST. Louis, and, with a view Of taking
family on board at Fulton, about mile and half
above the quay, proceeded up the river, and made
fast to lumber raft for that purpose. Here the
family were taken on board; and during the whole
time of the detention the Captain was holding on
to all the steam he could create with an intention
of showing off to the best advantage the great
speed Of the boat as she passed down the whole
length Of the city. The MoseIle was new brdg
boat and had recently made several exceedingly
quick trips to and from this place,
Soon as the family were taken on boardfrom the
raft, the boat showed off; and at the very moment
her wheel made the first evolution, her boilers burst
with most awful and astounding noise, equal to
the most violent clap of thunder. The explosion
was destructive and heart-rending in the extteme,
as we are assured by gentleman who was sitting
on his horse on the shore, waiting to see the boat
start Heads limbs, bodies and blood, were seen
flying through the air in every direction, attended
by the most horrible shrieks and groans from the
wounded and the dying. The boat, at the mo-
ment of the accident was about thirty feet from
shore, and was rendered a perfect wreck. She
seemed to be torn all to finters as far back as the
gentlenen's cabin, and her hurricane deck (the
whole lengthy was entirely swept away. The boat
Immediately began to sink rapidly, and float with
strong current down the river, at the same time
getting farther from the shore.
The Captain was thrown by the explosion en-
tirey into the street, and was picked up dead and
dreadfully mangled Another man was thrown en-.
tirely through the roof of one of the neighboring
houses, and limbs and fragments of bodies scatter
ed about the river and shore in heartrending profu
SION Soon as the boat was discoveredto be rapid
ly sinking, the passengers who remained unhurt in
the gentlemen's and ladies' cabins, became panic
struck, and with faulty unaccountable, jumped
INTO the river-Being above the ordinary buslnesss
parts of the city, there no boats at hand except
a few large and unmanageable wood fats which
were carried to the relief of the sufferers as soon as
possible, by the few persons on shore. Many
were drowned, however, before they could be res
cued from watery grave, andmany sunk who were
not seen afterwards.
We are told that one little boy on shore was seen
wfngng lis iTdIis ia agnny, iyuPivrins tnerso pves
ent to save his father mother, and three sisters, all
of whom were struggling in the water to gain the
shore but whom the poor little fellow had the aw-
fu misfortune to see perish, one by one, almost
within his reach. An infant child, belonging to
this family, was picked up alive floating down the
river on one Of the fragments Of the hurricane deck.
Doctor Wilson Hughes, of the United States ar
N.Y. land brother-in-law to estimable felow-cti-
zen, w. H. Hughes, Of the Pearl street house,) Is
doubtless among the slain, as he was known to
have been on board and some pieces OF the military
coat he had on were picked up among the irag-
ments.
Mr. Powell, highly respectable grocery mer-
chant of Louisville, and brother-m-law of Mr.. Will
son McGrew, of this city, is also supposed to be
lost, as he was on board and no tdings have since
been heard of him, notwithstanding the active In
qeiries of his friends
We are unable, as yet, to particularize any other
persons lost as the boat sunk in about Is minutes
after the accident, leaving nothing to be seen but
her chimneys and small portion of her upper
works, and also scene of distress and confusion
Immediately ensued which altogether battles descrp-
ton. Most of the sufferers among the hands Of
the boat and the steerags passengers.
Il is supposed that there were about 1WU
HUNDRED PERSONS on board, of which mum
ber OaLy from Gfty to seeentysfDe are beiieged Il
haze escaptd, making tie estimated loss Of Ire
about ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY NIVE
Oh! tale of wo.
The accident unquestionaby occurred througl
sheer impy7f9ence md cGreiesmess. The captain
of the boat was desirous of showing off her grea
speed as she passed the city, and TO oyertake an
pass another boat which had left the wharf tor Lou
isvilie short time before him. Dearly has he pan
for his silly ambition. The clerk Of the boat W
understand, escaped unhurt. These are ell the paI
4iculars we have yet been able TO learn. IN to-fnoi
rows Wing we shall be able to give the names
many others who have been lost or killed.