Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-01-31
THE APPALLING DISASTER TO THE
LEXINGTON

Below viii be found, (says the Philadelphia
Inquirer of the l7ih inst) detailed statement
OF the appalling disaster to the steamboat lex
!ngon. The painful details cannot but excite
seRsations of the deepest sympathy in every
mind Only three individuals are thus far known
10 have been saved, though hope IS entertain
I'd that we may still be able to add to the num-
her. The New York Gazette has ascertained
that the Lexington had been recently overhaul
I'd and repaired thoroughly, and was in excel
lent order, provided with threr boats, including
a life-boat, and fire engine, with the neceSsa-
" apparatus and suction hose. Aboue all, she
had, tie kQv requires, irOn rods and taller
sgpeS. The life boat, like the others, was crush
ed before she got into the wafer.
From the New York Courier
The city was yesterday thrown into
state of extreme CONSERVATION, bv intelligence
oi most fatal accident having belallen the
steamboat Lexington, which left here on Mon
day afternoon, under the command of Captain
George Child, on her usual trip to Stonington.
We have gathered from Captain Hillard. al
most the only survivor, at least as present ap-
peaTances lead us TO dread from this awful
scene oi death, from Captain Brooks OF the New
I1aveH steamboat, who received Captain Hill
lard on board-lrom the slOep Merchant, Capt
decker, who rescued him, and from Captain
Jennings, CT the sloop GAnges, who leG; South
l'ort, 10 which place the sioop Merchant be-
Ioaged, and WHITTIER she had returned, the fol-
loving particulars OF thls distressing event:
ihe Lexington prosecuted her voyage until Z
han past seven o'clock in the evening when
beIhg between Eaton's Neck and Cranes Neck /
a IRE was dlscOVerel TO have broken out near
me smoke pipe, among some bales Of cotton
"mch were slowed near ii, or 10 which at least
iIe hanes speedily spread. An altenp. was
iAen made 10 get out the sEction pipe, and by
means oi water thrown from il on the flames
eAuhgaish them bet these spread with such
Faiidiiy, that soon ali access to the enpiae was
Impossible, and 1t continued to work Tor time
Win fearful rapidly. Capt Child, il wcuiI
d aPPear, then determined to steer the boat for
'le nearest part Of the Long Island shore. and ,
Ia was last seen IN the wheel house at The
-eIm. In fifteen minutes, however, the engine =
0oc.'He Im,noVaJle, and the course Of the boat ,
arrested about two miles irom the land. Here
aAs continued TO barn until about three o'cio.k
ID Lle morning, when what renamed OF her
a.ak
IL were needless 10 attempt to describe the q
Gene Of agonlzcd confusion which ensned a. \,
aong the passengers, and indeed all on board i
Is soon as the fire was discovered No order u
vas preserved, or any attempt made 10 preserve :
:. The liie-boat which was on board was :,
2rown over forward Of the wheel. was struck :
= The paddles, aud broken 10 pieces. The %
lexington had three boats besides, which we're - -
unchad by t3e passengers while she was un-
sr iall way, and Immediately swanped. Some
'enty Of them who had life preserves about
EN-, jumped overheard, and the rest were last n
en as the fameS drove them from the higher "
rts OF The steamboat cling:ng ia clusters TO so
gaard-braces, where they huag, al all went az
wa together.
Captain ILIlard, formerly Of the shin Missis-
Pi, OF thls pon, ESCAPED. When the progress al