Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-01-23
From the New Yorker.
CALAMIIY.

STEAMER LEXINGTON LOST-TO
GETHER WITH MORE THAN A HUN
DRED LIVES.-We have To add one more to
the many heart.rending accidents which are contin-
ually occurring on our waters. Where the long
list win end, Heaven only can determine.
The steamboat Lexington left this city on Mon
day afternoon. the 18th inst, at 3 o'clock, for Sto-
%ningtou, with "a number Of passengers which is VA
riously estimated from III to IFS. She was also
heavily laden with bales of cotton. AT o'clock,
when about two miles oil Eaton's Neck, Long Is
land, She took iiie in The wood work around the
smoke pipe. The following particular are from
m extra Of the Republican Standard, Bridgeport,
Connecticut:
"The boat was headed for the shore as soon rs
the efforts to exlinguish the fire proved unsuc,ess-
ful. She was provided with three hoats-yet such
was the panic which took possession OF all minds,
that they we're hoisted out while the boat was UNI
der Roadway, and Immediately sramped. The en-
CINE a few minutes after gave way, leaving her ut
lelly unmanageabie. Tho scene which then ensu-
ed, is described as appalling,
Captain Chester Hlliard, of Norwich, a passen-
eer on board, from whom We have gathered these
few particulars, states that soon after the engine
stopped, the passengers began to leave the boat on
boxes, bales, &c. In company with one OF the
fremen he was so fortunate as to secure a cotton
bale, to which he dashed himself. He remained
upon TINS bblei the Wlhd oloMtng Oh Long Island
shore, until IL o'clock this morning. when he was
taken up by the sloop Mcrchant, OF Southport.
4" His companion IN the meantime had been re-
leased by death from his suiierings. Two others
were taken up by the sloop, a dreman, and tho pi-
lot of the boat. Both were nearly insensible. IL
IS surprising THAT any one should have survived the
exposure. There is too much reasos to fear that
these three are the only survivors. IL is, however,
possible, that others may have been saved.
FEIha hnat l,ifaI m tha Sound y;,b tha al
and was off this hmbor about midnight. Captain
II. states thnt she sank at three o'clock, as he mar.
ked the time by bis watch
"The Efforts which last night were made. in Thu
vicinity and al Southport, to 60 to the aid Of the
sufferer proved, owing to the ice in The harbors
and to other untoward circumstances, entirely una
vailins.
eve learn that a boat which succeeded in get
ting out OF Southport HaIbor, after reaching To,
middle Of the Sound was compelled II to return,
The account which we have given of this awfu
catastrophe, is exceedingly imperfect. 1t may b.
well imagined that our informant is hardly Ia a sit
uation to furnish masy details"
From the New York Courier ana Erquirer.
LOSS OF THE LEXINGTON.
The city was yesterday throw . into state of es
treme CONSERVATION, by Intelligence ETA most fais
, accident having befailen the steamboat J. Ningtoi
which left here on Monday, the 18Th inst, und,
the command OF Capt, George Childs, on her nsu,
uip TO Stoning;on. We have gathered from Cop
e Hillard. almost the only sufviyor-at least as pr
# sent appearances lead us TO dread-lrom this av
fol scene Of death; from Captain Brooks, Of II
T" New Haven Steamboat, who received Captain Hi
lard on board; from the sloop Merchant, CAPITA
n Meeker, who rescued him; and from Captain Je
nings, OF the sloop Gsnges, who left Southport,
which place the sloop Merchant belonged. and wi
" ther she had returned, the following particulars
n this distressing event;
D. The Lexington prosecuted her voyage until ha