Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-05-23
From tA1 Ma Orleans Tree .iasrses-, -Hsy 1tA.
DREADFUL STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT
THIRTY LIVES LOSr-ADoUT ~

=
THIRTY LIVES LoSr-ADoUr ~
PERSONS BADLY ScALDED-
OTHERS SLIGHTLY HURTS
The steamboat George Collier. which
lag at the wharf opposite the Custom
House. To undergo repairs for some time
past, left this city on Saturday evening
lat. between five sad six o'clock. for ST
Louis. When near the mouth OF Red
River, about 20 miles below Natchez, at
half pas, o'clock. \. NJ. n serious acci-
dent occurred, whicn proved dtradfully
dc -'ruoiive Of human life. Tho piston
rod. which works in the cylinder. and by
which the engine il propelled. oeir. at
iached by key or bolt which passes
through the tea head. gave way. at tho
rent which received the bolt, aud being
relieved from the immense weigh, against
which i. had to struggle. was driven irro'
the cylinder head, and gave free room
.er the steam 10 escape.
II Is supposed iha, between 10 and so
persons were .csldcd. The clerk of the
/ Collier ra,cs them ~ IL. consisting Of
deck passengers, and part Of the crew
/ ~ho had Te,ired or were stationed on
watch.
We crossed over Yesterday 10 see the
! Collier. and never dad we witness n more
| heart !cuiing spectacle than tho dread
4 fully sCalied yet eking out their few brief
hours o: ma6derjng misery. who arc yet
on board, aad where every attention and
kindness ~ pad them that could DO cx-
ipecicd. and which rsy tend 10 lessen
/ their s.ony. There are aged mothers.
4 4 1. 4 4
~ portion tina, could come in contact
with the ho, air, dreadfully Llistered aud
presenting Louil spectacle, calling for
tie lost ones whom they will see no moro
and forever. There were strong. sta!wort
men. calling aloud in their misery for
their great PROTECTOR Ia relieve them
How noble dbl tho foriitude Of some Of
the females npTcsr! The fair ,kin had
hccn curlrd and crisrrd. aud the b:ich,
and lusirouS eye bad been quenehcd. or
The imitation had closed up the swollen
lids aud shut out the world light. What
mus, have been their agony-,he flesh
falling from the red lips-ihe ms selves be-
coming OF sudden soft ond ready TO fall
and leave the face divine "a horrid
spectacle.
~ "'N iN1Al w INV ltuS VIII
the patience OF the peoiie tolerate the
execrable abuses OF seam navigation .
Day by day the duty dsvolvcs on us OF
recording some new disasier-some BE-
we're and Stacking calamity While all
the safe guards OF provident legislation
are thrown around our property. shall OUT
persons remain exposed to the most fright.
ful calamilies without protection :-These
are questions which it is time 10 put 10
the couniry-ques,ions which the dying
groanS and agonies Of perishing hundreds
are striking into the public ear. The
impunily oi long series Of ou,raGes hai
lengcndered, among certain classes oil
men, perfect Indifference TO human suf.
fsIing-nnd unless tie strong arm Of the
law is stretched forth. the traveller wbc
ventures into a steamboat will run q risk
as appalling as he tina, treads the verge
of volcano whose convulsion portendi
the bursting Of the lava. The enactment,
of our national legislature on this subject
are ample enough FOR all purposes. The
.only requisite wanting is their rigid en-.
forcemont. To the importance Of rigid
exac,ion Of oil the requirements Of the
law. We would now invite the attention
Of our executive officers. and il is 10 BE-
hoped that another awful accident like
the one recorded will not be necessary tc
arouse their vigilance.