Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-08-25
From an Extra issued by the N. Sun.
THE DREADFUL CATASTROPHE
ON LAKE ERIE.
Further and Important Particulars.

We are happy to acknowledge our Indebted
ness to MIR. Banta, the clerk of the South Amer
lea, for copy Of the second edition of the Al
bany Evening Journal of last evening.
From the Albany Evening Journal we have
obtained the following additional and highly in
teresting particulars relative 10 this awful and
heart rending calamity which we hasten to lay
before our readers.
FIRST OUTBREAK OF THE FIRE.-The boat
had been thoroughly overhauled, and although
the wind was blowing fresh, everything prom
ised pleasant and prosperous voyage. Moth
ing occurred TO mar this prospect till about s
o'clock, when the boat was off Silver Creek,
about miles from shore, and 33 from this city,
when slight explosion was heard, and imme-
diately, instantaneousy almost, the whole ves-
sci was enveloped in fames.-Capt. Titus, who
was on the upper deck at the time, rushed TO
the Ladies Cabin to obtain the life preservers,
of which there were from 90 to 100 on board,
but so rapid had been the progress of the flames,
he found it impossible to enter the cabin.
The captain then returned to the upper deck,
giving, as he hurried on, his orders TO the en-
gneer 10 stop. The engineer replied that in
consequence of the flames he could not reach
the engine. The steersman was Immediately
directed to put the helm hard starboard. The
vessel swung slowly round, heading 10 the
shore, and the boats-there were three on board
were then ordered to be lowered. Two of
the boats were then lowered, but in consequence
Of the heavy sea on, and the head-way of the
vessel, they both swamped as they touched the
water.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF LADY.--At this
period the spectacle was appalling in the ex-
treme, and no language can describe the fran
tic horror OF the doomed passengers. The small
boat was lowered--four persons in 1.-THE cap
tain jumped in-and the boat filled with water
and dropped astern. A lady foated by at this
momeEt with a life preserver on-she shrieked
for help-the captain threw her the only oar in
the boat-she caught it and was saved---this
lady was Mrs. Lynde, of Milwaukee, and she
was the only female who was saved from that
fated vessel
DISCOVERY OF THE WRECK.
In this condition, the boat a mass of fierce
fire, and the passengers and crew endeavoring
TO save themselves by swimming or supporting
themselves by whatever they could reach
they were found by the Clinton at about 10 p
VI. The Clinton left here in the morning, but
in consequence of the wind had Put into Dun
kirk. She laid there till nearly sunset at
which time she ran out and had proceeded as
far as Barcelona, when just at twilight, the fire
of the Erie was discovered some 20 miles
astern. The Clinton Immediately put about
and reached the burning wreck about 10.
1t was fearful sight All the upper works
of the Erie had been burned away. The en-
CINE was standing but the hull was a mass of
dull, red flame. The boats of the Clinton were
instantly lowered and manned, and every per-
son that could be seen or heard was picked up,
and every possible relief afforded. The Lady,
a little steamboat lying at Dunkirk, went out Of
that harbor as soon as possible, after the dis
covery of the fire, and arrived soon after the
Clinton. 1t was not thought by the survivors
that she saved any.
THE WRECK.
AT one o'clock, A. NJ all was over. Moth.
ing was heard but the low, dead cracking of
the expiring fire. Not solitary struggle for
life could be seen on the wide waste of waters.
No trace was left on the CLASSY surface Of the
deep of all that had perished in that hour of
agony, except a portion of the hapless hulk OF
the i'll fated Erie.-An effort was made to tow
the hull ashore, but it sunk in eleven faihoms
water, about four miles from the banks of the
lake. 1t was now daylight, and the Clinton
headed for the shore.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
Among the passengers on board were SIX
painters, in the employ of Mr.. W. G. Miller, OF
Buffalo, who were going TO Erie to paint the
steamboat; Madison They had with them dem
Johns filled with spirits of turpentne and var
nish, which unknown 10 Capt Titus, were
placed on the boiler deck directly over the
boilers. One of the firemen, who was saved,
says he had occasion to go on the deck, and
seeing the demiohns, removed them. They
were replaced, by whom is not known. I'M
medatey previous to the bursting forth OF the
flames, as several on board have assured us,
slight explosion was heard. The demDohns
had probably burst with the heat, and their IN
fammable contents, taking fire instantly, COM
munica,ed to every part of the boat which,
having been freshly vanished, caught as if il
had been gunpowder.
SINGULAR CoINcIDENcE.-It is singular