The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-08-20
Appalling Calamity - Steamboat EEszl.
Sl IN 4 80 Dos. OF 40 s.Irc.l


The Steamboat Erie is DESTROYED. The
Erie left Buffalo at o'clock, p. NJ. on
Monday last, for Chicago. She had 200
persons, passengers and crew, on board.
Nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of
the voyage, till o'clock, when the boat
was off Silver Creek, miles from shore
and 33 from Buffalo, when a slight cX-
plosion was heard, and Immediately the
whole vessel was in flames. Captain
Titus, who was on deck at the time,
rushed TO the ladies cabin, to obtain the
life preservers, of which there were some
80 or 100 on board, but SO rapid had been
the progress of the flames that it was inn
possible to enter the cabin. He then
returned, and gave orders to stop the en-
CINE, as the progress Of the boat increased
the flames, but the fire prevented it. The
steersman was then told TO put the helm
hard starboard. The boat then swung
heavily around towards the shore, and
the three small boats ordered out. Two
were lowered, but in consequence of the
heavy sea, and Roadway Of the boat, both
swamped
We will not attempt to describe the
awiuIIy appalling condition of the passcn-
gers. Some were frantic with fear.
others plunged headIong into the water,
others again seized upon any thing buoy
ant, upon which they could lay hands,
The small boat forward had been lower
ed. 1t was along side the wheel with
three or four persons in it, when the cap
tam Jumped in, and the boat Immediately
dropped astern filled with water. A lady
hoatcd by with a life prcseryer. She
called 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. Lyndc,
OF Milwaukee, and she was the only lady
saved.
In this condition-thc boat mass of
fierce fire, and the passengers and crew
endcayorlng to save themselves by what
ever means they could reach-thcv were
found by the Clinton about 10 p. NJ
The Clinton left here in the morning, but
in consequence of the wind had put into
Dunkirk. She laid there till nearly sun
set, at which time she run out, and pro-
cecdcd as far as Barcelona, when lust at
twilight the fire Of the Erie was discover
ed at 90 miles astcrn. The Clinton i'm
turned and reached the burning
wreck about 10. 1t was a fearful sight.
All the upper works Of the Erie had been
burned away. The engine was standing,
1ut the hull was mass of dull, red flame.
The passengers and crew were floating
around, screaming in their agony and
for help. The boats of the
Clinton were instantly lowered and man
ned and every person that could be seen
Or heard was picked up and every posi-
Die relief afforded.
The "Lady," a little boat lying at Dun
>lrk, went out of that harbor as soon as
possible after the discovery Of the fire, and
'rrIyed soon after the Clinton, it was not
hought by the survivors that she saved
my, BY o'clock A, NJ. all was still but
he dead cracking of the fire. Not a So
Itary individual could be seen or heard
IN the wild waste of waters. A line was
men made fast to the remains of the Erie's
uddcr, and an effort made to tow the
lapcss hull ashorc.-About this time the
1ha'auque came up and lent her assist
nee. The hull of the Erie was lowed
within about four miles of the shore.
Vhcn 1t sunk in about ii fathoms water.
~ this time it was daylight. The lines
we're cast of. The Clinton headed for
ms port which she reached about six
clock. OF those who are saved, seye-
al are badly burned, but none are dan
erously injured so far as we have heard
origin OF THE FIRE.-Among the pas
9ngers on board were six painters in the
mploy of Mr.. w. G. Miller of this CITY,
no were going to Erie to paint the steam ,
Dat Madison. They had with them de- t
IIlOhnS filled with shirts oc ,,,no,,,;,o | |