Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-01-25


John Owen, Esq. and others of the Com
mittee.
BRIDaEPoRT, Tuesday evening, Jan. ii.
APPALLING CALAMITY.
STEAMBOAT LEXINGTON DESTROYED BY
FIRE, AND NEARLY TWO HUNDRED LIVES
LOST
The Lexington left New York for Ston-
ington on Monday at s O'clock, p. M. hav-
ing, it is believed, about so passengers. A
large quantity Of cotton was placed upon
her decks. At I O'Clock, when about two
miles from Elton's Neck, the cotton took
fire near the smoke pipe.
The boat was headed for the shore as
soon as the efforts to extingulsh the fire pro-
we'd unsuccessful. She was provided with
three boats, yet such was the panic which
took possession of all minds, that they were
hoisted out while the boat was still under
hcadway and Immediately swamped.
The engine, few minutes after gave
way, leaving her utterly unmanageable.-
The scene which then ensued, is described
as most appalling.
Captain Chester Hilliard, of Norwich, a
passenger on board, from whom we have
gathered these few particulars, states that
soon after the engine stopped, the Psssen-
gers began to leave the boat on boxes,
bales, &c.
In company with one of the firemen he
was SO fortunate as to secure cotton bale,
to which he lashcd himself. He remained
upon this bale, the wind blowing off Long
Island, until IL o'clock this morning, when
he was taken up by the sloop Merchant, off
Southport.
His companion in the meantime had been
released by death from his sutferlngs. Two
others were taken up by the sloop--a fire.
man and the Pilot Of the boat. Both were
nearly insensible. 1t is surprising that any
should have survived the exposure.
There is too much reason to fear that the
three are the only survivors. 1t is however
possible, that others may have been saved.
The boat drifted up the sound with the
tide, and was off the harbor about midnight.
Capt. II. states that she sunk at 8 O'Clock,
as he marked the time by his watch.
The efforts which were last night made
in this vicinity and at Southport, to go in
aid of the sufferers, proved, owing to the
ice in the harbors and to other untoward
circumstances, entirely unavailing.
We learn that boat which succeeded in
getting out of Southport harbor; after reach
ing the middle of the Sound was compelled
to return.
The account which we have given of this
awful catastrophe, is exceedingly imperfect
1t may be well imagined that our informant
is hardly in situation to furnish many de-
tails.
Since the above was in type, we have
received the following slips
From the Republican Farmer.
BRIDGPoRT, Jan. Is.
STEAMBOAT LEXINGTON BURNT--oNE HUN
DRED AND FIFTY LIVES LOST.
Our citizens were alarmed on Monday
evening, by the appearance of a great light
at some distance west, on the Sound, which
was generally believed to be n steamboa,
on fire. Nothing conclusive, however. wal
heard in regard 70 it till the arrival of oul
boat from New York on Tuesday afternoon
which brought the melancholy intelligence
that the light was occasioned by the confa
grafton of the steamboat Lexington, which
was entirely destroyed, and that all on boart
except three, perished. One of the survi
vars, Captain Hilliard, of Norwich, in this
State, whom we have seen and conversed
with, came on here IN the boat.
The Lexington left New York at s P. M
for S.onington. About half past O'Clock
when off Eaton's Neck, l.. l. the wool
work, castings, &c. about the fues, Was
discovered to be on fire.
An alarm was Immediately gwen, and al
efforts to subdue the flames proving unayall
ing, the pilot headed the boat directly fo
Long Island shore. In about Is mnutel
it was found the tiller-ropes were burnt il
two, and the boat consequently unmanage
able,
The engine, however, kept in operation
under heavy head of steam. The three
small boats were got out with all possible
haste, but they swamped soon after the.
struck the water, in consequence of thu
speed at which the steamer was going to
wards the shore.
A life-boat which was aboard, was als'
launched, but by some means was in few
minutes unfortunately lost. No relief
therefore, was obtained from either Of tn,
boats,
When The Lexington had got within a
bout two miles from the shore, her engin,
suddenly stopped. All hopes of escape t,
those on board, except by clinglng to sucl
articles of freight as would sustain them
were cut off.
The freigh. Of the Lexington consisted
principally of cotton, on which some Of th'
passengers tried to save themselves, bu
none succeeded except Capt. Hilliard and
fellow passenger, both Of whom got astrld
of u cotton bale on which they kept togethe
till O'clock in the morning, when tn
strength of Capt. billiards companion fail
ed him, and he fell off and was drowned.
Capt. II. continued upon his bale of cot
ton ill II O'Clock, A. M. Tuesday, when h,
was taken off by sloop which went ou
from Southport, having been thus exposed
about IS hours. Two others, clinging to
fragment Of the boat were also rescued b,