The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-08-20
From the Buffalo Commercial -iduerfiser of august TO-
SHOCKING CALAMITY!

We loss OF one HUHufTu una ocCeHty LlrcS
Little did we think yesterday in penning a brief
paragraph in commentator of the Erie, that, to-
struction Of that boat together with loss of life
dnequal!ed on our own or almost any other waters.
The Erie left the dock at ten minutes past 4, L.
NJ, loaded with merchandise destined for Chicago,
and, as nearly as now can be ascertained, about
two hundred persons, including passengers and
crew. on board The boat had been thoroughly
overhauled, and although the wind was blowing
fresh, every thing promised Peasan, and pros
peroys voyage Nothing occurred 20 mar this pros
pect till about 8, when the boat was off Silver
Creek, ubou, miles from shore, and when slight
explosion was heard and Immediately, nstanta-
neousy almost, the whole vessel was enveloped in
flames
Capt. Titus, who was on the upper deck n, the
time, rushed to the Ladies' Cabin TO obtain the
Life Preservers, of which there were from 80 to
100 on board, but so rapid had been the progress
of the flames, he found it impossible to enter the
cabin, lie returned TO the upper deck, on his way
giving orders to the Engineer to stop the engine
the wind and Roadway of the boat increasing the
ferceness of the flames and driving them aft. The
Engineer replied that in consequence of the flames
he could not reach the engine The steersman
was Instantly directed to put the helm hard star
board. The vessel swung slowly round, heading
to the shore, and the boats--there was three on
board-were then ordered to be lowered. Two
of the boats were lowered, but IN consequence of
the heavy sea on, and the Roadway of the vessel,
they both swamped as soon as they touched water.
We will not attempt to describe the awful and ap-
palling condition of the passengers. Some were
frantic with fear and horror, others plunged head
long mady into the water, others again seized upon
any thing buoyant upon which they could lay
hands The small boat forward had been lowered.
1t was alongside the wheel, with three OF four per-
sons in it, when tho captain jumped in and the
boat Immediately dropped aslern filled with water.
A lady noated by with life preserver on She
cried for help. There was no safety in the boat.
The captain threw her the only oar in the boat.
She caught the oar and was saved. 1t was Mrs.
Lyme, VI MHWaukle, anu sic was Inc Ohiy lauy
saved.
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 nhont 10, y, NJ Tho Clinton
left here in the morning, but in consequence of the
wind had put into Dunkirk. She laid there till
nearly sunset, at which time she ran out, and had
proceeded as far as Barcelona, when just at lvi
light, 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 Engine was stand
ing, but the hull was mass Of dull, red fame.
The passengers and crew were floating around,
screaming in their agony aud shreking for help
The boats of the Clinton were instantly lowered
and named and every person that could be seen
or heard was picked up, and every possible relief
afforded
The Ladp, little steamboat laying at Dunhrk,
went out of the harbor as soon as possible, after
the discovery Of the fire. and arrived soon after the
Clinton, 1t was not thought by the survivors that
she saved any. BY A. NJ, all was still except
the dead cracking of the fire. Not Il solitary IN
dividual could be seen on the wild vast of waters.
A line was then make fast TO the remains of the
Erie's ruddcr, and an effort made to tow the help
less hull ashore. About this time the Chautauqua
came up and lent her assistance. The hull of the
Erie was towed within about four miles Of the
Shore when it sunk in eleven fathoms water. BY
this time it was day light. The lines we've cast oil.
The Clinton headed for this port which she reached
about 6 o'clock. Of those who are saved several
are badly burned, hut none are dangerously injur-
ed so far as we have heard.
Origin OF THE FIRE.-Among the pnssen-
gers on board were six painters in the employ Of
Mr. w. G. MILLER Of this city, who were going
to Erie to paint the steamboat Madison. They
had with them demiohns filed with spirits Of iur-
penlne and varnish, which unknown 10 Capt. IT,
rus, were placed on the boiler deck directly over
the boilers. One Of the fremen, who was saved
says he had occasion to 90 on deck, and seeing
the demlohns, removed them. They were repc-
cd, bu, by whom is not known. Immediately pre-
vious to the bursting forth of the flames as several
on board have assured US, n slight explosion was
heard The demijohns had probably burst with
the heat, and their inilammabe contents, taking
fire Instantly, communicated to every part of the
boat, which having freshly vanished caught hs if
il had been eunpowder.
Not paper nor an article oiany kind was saved.
OF course it is impossible TO give complete list Of
those on board. OF cabin passengers Capt. TITUS
thinks there were between 80 and 40, of whom 10
or ~ were ladies'. In the Storage were about lao
passengers, nearly all of whom were SWISS and
German immigrants They were mostly IN iaml-
lies with the usual proportion of men. women and
children. The heart bleeds at the thought
II ~.