Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-02-14
AWFUL CALAMITY.

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been thrown into great excitement and
grief, in consequence of the loss OF the
steamboat Lexington, which left here on
Monday afternoon for Providence, and
nearly all tho persons on board persisted
A letter from Norwalk, received some
hours since, announced the fact that
steamboat had been burnt on that pert,
and tina, it was supposed to be the LcXing-
ton.
But the full extent Of the calamity was
rot known, or scarcely anticipated, until
halt an hour since, on the arrival OF the
Nmrod, Capt. Brooks, from Newport.
Among the passengers we understand,
were Robert Blake, Of Wrenthan; Mr.
Fowler, of this city; VIM. A. Green, firm
of Allen g. Green, Providence; Samuel
Henry of Boston; Chas, II, Phelps, Sion
ington; r W. Dow, firm Of Dow & Co.,
New York; Capt Vanderbilt.
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN STANDARD,
Bridgeport, Tuesday crening, Jan ii, $40.
Steamboat Lexington destroyed w. fire,
and nearly tro Hundred lircs lost The
Lexington left New York for Stonington
on Monday, 8 o'clock, Z. NJ, having, il
is believed, about one hundred ard fifty
passengers. A large quantity Of cotton
was placed upon her decks. At seven
o'clock, when about two miles from Ea-
tons Neck, the cotton took fire near the
smoke pipe.
The boat was headed for the shore as
soon us the efforts to eXtinguish the fire
proved unsuccessful. She was provided
with three boats; yet such was the panic
'hat took possession Of all hands, that
they were hoisted out while The beat was
siil under Roadway, and Immediately
swamped.
The engine, few minutes after, gave
way, leaving hcr utterly unrnanogcabie
The scene which then ensued is described
as most appalling.
Capt. Chester H;'liard, Of Norwich, a
passenger on board, from whom We have
gathered these particulars, states, that
soon after the engine stopped, the passen-
gers began to leave the boat on boxes,
bales, &c. 10 company with one OF the
fjremen, he was so fortunate as to secure
cotton bale, to which he dashed himself.
He remained upon this bale the wind
blowing of Long Island shore, until ii
o'clock this morning, when be was taken
UP by the sloop Merchant Of Southport.
His companion in the meantime had
been released by death from bis suHerings,
Two others we're taken up by the sloop, a
fireman and the pilot Of the boat. Both
were nearly insensible. 1t is surprising
that any should have survived the expo
cure. There is too much reason TO fear
that three are the only survivors. 1t is
however, possible that others may have
been saved.
The boat drfted up the sound with the
tide and was ol'this hatbor about midnight
Capt. II. states that she sunk at 3 O'Clock,
as he marked the time By his watch.
The efforts which last night were m ade
in this vicinity, and at Southport, to 60 in
aid of the sufferers, proved, owing to lie
ice in our harbors, and to other untoward
circumstances, entirely unavalling.
We learn that boat, which succeeded
in getting out Of Southport harbor, after
reaching the middle Of the sound, was
compelled to return.
The account which we have given of
this awful catastrophe, is exceedingly i'm
perfect. 1t may be well imagined that
our information is hardly in situation to
furnish many details.
Farther Particula7S.-Thc editors Of
the Journal Of Commerce have been favor.
ed with the following letter from Captain
Brooks, of the steamer Nimrod, dated
Steamer Nimrod, Jan. Is, 1910.
have seen Capt. Chester billiard, one
Of the survivors of the destruction of the
steamer Lexington, on Monday night last,
by fire, and from him gather the following
particulars: The boat left New York a,
3 o'cock-he thinks with about one hun
dred and fifty passengers, and full freight.
About half past seven in the evening he
heard the cry of fire, he ran on deck, and
saw the fire bursting through the wood
work round the chimney. All was con-
fusion and terror in moment. He ran
up to the wheel to advise running for
shore, which Capt. Childs informed him
they were doing, he being at the wheel,
He then ran down on deck.
An attempt haG been made TO rig the
fire engine on board, but it did not sue
coed. They rushed for the boats, and
Jumped In, to the number, he thinks, Of
twenty in each, and lowered them down
while the boat was under full Roadway