Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-01
(Froo, The Cincinnati Hhig. Extra }

lINCiSEATl. .
MOST AWFUL STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT
Loss uY l21 LIVES 1t becomes again our painful
duty record If the most awful and destructive
occurrences know in the terrible and fatal catalogue Of
steamboat accidents.
This aiternpon about six o'cock the and elegant
steamboat MoSrc, Captain Perrin left the wharf OF this
city (ulI of p.ssengers) for Louisville and st Louis,
and with view of taking family board at Fulton,
about mile and halt above the quay, proceeded up
the river and made fast lumber raft for that pur.
pose Here the family taken on board, and during
tie whole time OF the detention, the Captain was hold
ing to all the steam he could create, with an Inten
of show off to the brst advantage the great speed
OF the boat she passed down The whole length OF The
city. The Mo>ci!e brig boat, and had re.
Gently made several exceedingly quick trips to and from
this place.
Soon as The family were taken board from the rah
the boat showed n and at the very moment her wheels
made the first evolution her boilers burst VIII most
awful and astounding noise, equal 10 the most violent
clap OF thunder The explosion was destructive and
heart.rending in the extreme as we are assured ny
gentleman who was sitting on his horse on the shoTe
waiting see the boat start Heads, limbs, bodies and
blood, we're seen flying through the air IN every n'rec
,;o~ Jy the most horrible shreks and groans
from the wounded and the dying. The boat Il, tie mo.
mcnt OF The accident about thirty feet from the
shore, and rendered perfect wreck. She
ed to be all 10 flinders far back the genemens
cabin, and her hurricane deck Qhe whole Lengthy
entirely swept away. The boa; Immediately began TO
sink rapidly and float With s.G:s Current, down tic
Tine Captain was thrown by the explosion entirely in
to the street. and picked tp dead and drradi!y
mansfd. Another man was thrown entirely through
the roo Of one Of the neighboring houses and limbs and
fragments Of bodies scattered about the river and shore
in hcartendng proFuson. Soon as the boa, disco
vered 20 he rapidly sinking. The passengers vino remain
ed unur in tile gentlemen and ladies' cabins, became
panic struck, and with tdiuhy unaccounable, jumped
into the river Being above the ordinary business parts
Of the city, there boats at hand except few
large and manageable wood flats, which carried
10 the relief Of the sufferers possible: by the
few persons the shore. Many drowned. how
ever before they could be rescued from watcry grave
and many sunk who were not seen afterwards.
We are told that little boy shore
wrnging his hands in agony, mporng those present TO
save ms father, mother and three sisters, all Of whom
were struggling in The water 10 gain the shore, but whom
the poor little fellow had the awful misfortune to
perish, by one almost within his reach. An infant
child belonging 10 this family, was picked up alive, float
ing down the river OF the fragments Of the hur
ricane deck.
Doctor Wilson Hughes, Of the United States army
land brother in law 10 cslimable fellow citizen, W.
ii. Hughes, OF the Pearl Street House.) is doubtless
among the slain, he vas known 10 have been board
and some pieces of The military coat lie had on were
picked up among The fragments
AIR. Powell highly respectable grocery merchant, Of
Louisville and brolher.in law OF MIR Wilson McGrew
OF this city, IS also supposed to be lost, he
board, and no dings has since been heard Of him, not
outstanding the active inquiries Of his friends
we are unable as yet TO particuiarIze any other per-
sons lost the loaf sunk in about fifteen minutes after
the accident, Leaving nothing 10 he but her Chin
neys and small portion of her upper works. aud also
as scene of distress and confusion Immediately ensued
that altogether battles description Most Of Tie suffer
crs are among the hands Of the boat and the Storage
passengers.
II is supposed that there were about TWO HUN.
DRIED PERSONS on beard Of which number only
from y 10 serenity fire are btrcdt 10 haze escaped max
ing The estimated loss If Iircs aLOm ONE HUNDRED
AND TWENTY.FIVE! Oh tale of wo.
The accident unqueslionably occurred through sheer
imprudenee and eareeSsnsss. The captain Of the boat
was desirous OF showing off her speed she pass
ed the city, and to overake and pcss another boat which
had left the wharf for Louisville short time before him
Dearly has he paid for his silly ambition The clerk Of
the boat, we understand escaped unhurt. These all
the PARTICULARS we have yet been able to learn. In
TO morrow Wing, shall doubt he able to give the
names Of many others who have been lost or killed