Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-08-24
From the Detroit AdUeTijscr.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ERIE.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Every thing relating to this terrible Gala
nifty is looked for with painful interest, we
subjoin few additional particulars, CLEANED
from a friend Mr.. Tam, OF Pittsford Mon
roe Co. N. Y. who was on board ofthc Erie
but who was proyidentially among the few,
that were saved.
lie states that he was walking on the pro-
menadc deck at the time, in company with
u young lady Miss Sherman and had just
reached the point above the boiler deck,
where the dcmijohns Of turpentine were, as
the explosion took place. The explosion -
which sounded like the puff Of high pres
sure boat, but not so loud-was followed by
the ascension Of volume Of dense, black
smoke, which our informant likcncd unto
cloud Of coal dust. Without feeling much
alarmed, he stopped for an instant, when
the smoke was directly succeeded by col
umn Of red, urid flame, which spread with
fearful apidity-commun in an in
slant to every thing notwithstanding
the sky lights by its intense heat-and fill
ing up the space between decks, with what
appeared to be dense red flame
After moments reflection, our infor-
nant ran to the stern Of the boat, and soon
perceived the awful character Of the ca
tastrophe. While looking around for some
mode Of escape, the young lady rushed
from him and disappeared. She, however,
almost instantly returned, calling upon her
father, who, being, like herself a few mi
nutcs before, sea sick, had retired to his
berth. Frantic with the scene, and the
awful fate which seemed inevitable, she
WAS about again to rush below, when Mr..
+. induced her to remain with him, until
he should procure some means tor her os-
cape. This appeared at hand He OBJ
served a gentleman near by forcing up one
Of the seats which surrounded the promo
made deck. He succeeded, and, throwing
it overheard, leapt after it. Whether he
was saved or not is unknown. Our lntor-
mant improving by this example, also
forced up one Of the seats, and placing it
across the railing Of the promenade deck,
and over the stern, sat Miss Sherman up
on the outer end Of it, and called upon
those below (who were clustered at the
rudder post TO assist the young lady in
her descent into the water. But no attcn-
ton was paid 10 these solicitations, and the
young lady, becoming dizzy, from her fear
ful position, fell from the board among the
ruddcr chains, and sunk to rise no more.
Having failed in his noble attempt to
save this younglady, Mr.. L. looked around
him before he made an effort to save him
self. He saw Capt Titus making an eff
fort 10 reach the Iady's cabin, and heard
him give the ordcr TO stop the engine. 1t
was d moment Of awful terror. From
bulkhead to rudder, the flames were raging
with an impctuosity which Knocked every
attempt at escape. The sAricks Of the dy-
ing and terrified, borne upon the fiery blast,
sounded fcarluIy. The engine seemed to
play with double power, as if itself mad
dencd by the appalling character Of the
scene. The flames as they rushed aft,
sounded like the roaring of hurricane,
and seemed TO threaten the instant cngulph-
mcnt Of the vessel, and every alfrightcd
soul on board Of her. Forward Of the
whccl-housc, there were several persons
struggling to loose timber from the vessel.
Below, and in rear Of the lady's cabin,
some 20 or 80 persons were clustered,
each struggling TO descend the ruddcr
chains for safety. Some had succeeded,
but we're forced off by others struggling to
reach the same spot. Others were hang
ing from the sides Of the boat--husbands
vaiuly endcavoring TO support their wives
mothers their children, and all them
selves. In this group were number Of
the unfortunate Swiss--so many Of whom
porshed; but it appears not one Of the (c-
males whom Mr.. II. saw gathered there
6 oh 4
wiyes-.not one Of The mothcrS--wcrc
saved. All sank into the deep tomb Of
waters.
After making this survey, and seeing
10 hope Of other escape, our informant,
who had clung with a death grasp to the
plank, from which the unfortunate young
lady, whom be had attempted to save, had
taken her fearful death plunge, stripped
himself Of his suporluouS clothing, cast
tnc plank overheard, and instantly lcapcd
after it. 1t was fearful lcap--a leap akin
tothc eternal plunge oEthc grave ;but thanks
10 a kind Providence il was leap of safe
" and life. lie arose 10 the surface, di-
rccily by the side Of the plank, to which
he chung during the entire Of his awful
yoyugc.
He had companions in this terrible strug-
gle for life; but they were few. Here was
one bulleting, unsustained by any thing
but his own strength, the tossing waves,
which the next moment, formed his wind |
ing sheet Near by was another, Shrek |
ing for aid, first in voice Of strength, but |
soon with gurgling laintncSs, which IN !
dcated speedy termination Of the strug-
gle. In another direction, the voice OF
suppIcation was hcard--thc last faint
prayer of the dying, TO the God Of Tenn
pest and Fire, for the succor and mercy |
which mans arm could not give. Still, |
elsewhere the shrek Of the wife or mother, |