Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-08-25
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
AWFUL DISASTER.


From the PENNSYLVANIA Inquirer.
AWFUL DISASTER.
Destruction of Lake Steamboat E-
REE, by FiFe-.-Orae Hundred and
Seventy-Five Lives Lost.
NJ The New York papers of last evening
contain the most heartrending intelligence II
has ever been our lot 10 record. The steam
boat Erie, Capt. Titus, left Buffalo for Chicago,
on Monday afternoon, with upwards of200 pas
sengers. many of whom were German emigrants,
and awful to relate, when near Silver Creek,
she was discovered to be on fire, and of the
large number of passengers on board. only
TWENTY SEVEN remain TO tell the start
ling tale Thus, have upwards of ONE HUN
DRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE human be-
ings met an untmely end, having either been
drowned or burned to death, in the midst of the
terrible confusion that must have ensued. Cap
tain Titus is among the number saved; and his
name is the only one that has yet been publish
ed We no doubt shall receive further partic-
ulars during the day.
The Erie had large amount Of merchandise
on board.
We are indebted to the New York Herald
for an Extra, from which we copy the following
particulars:
The steamer Erie left Buffalo on Monday af-
ternoon at o'clock for Chicago The precise
number on board Of her is not known, but it is
estimated by the captain, from glance at the
register before leaving the harbor, to have ex-
ceeded two hundred souls. Amongst the num-
Der were several painters, who with their ma
terials were on their way to some port up the
lake for the purpose of painting boat lying
there. A strong wind and rough sea prevail
ing at the time, Capt. Titus hesitated for some
time to put out, but the De Witt Clinton having
left abou. three hours previous, he was finally
induced TO start on the fatal voyage.
At about 8 o'clock the vessel was suddenly
wrapped IN flames from the bursting of a carboy
of varnish on the boiler deck, whilst so sudden
was the combustion that the passengers were
at once forced overheard, in many instances
without the slightest article to sustain them.
Fortunately the De Witt Clinton had put in
to Dunkirk, and discovering the Erie in flames
hastened to her relief
She picked up twenty-seven only of the
whole number on board, whilst about two hun
dred fell victims to the devourng element. On
ly one female saved, as also were the cap
tain and one of the crew.
The Erie, in addition to full complement
of passengers, had on board large quantity Of
merchandise for Chicago and intermediate
places.
For the above particulars we are indebted TO
a friend who came down in the boat this morn
ing, and they may be relied upon as correct in
all the leading features attending this most mel
ancholy occurrence.
Such are all the particulars we have yet re-
ceived. Tonight we shall know more of this
awful affair. None of the passengers names
are known here and all is suspense, all anxiety.
We understand that the Erie was five years
old, was built and owned by Mr.. Reed, of Erie,
Penn, and cost 100000. She is said 10 be a
splendid and fast boat, and of the first class
She was recently put in complete order, refued
and repanled in fine style. She was a great
favorite, and had encountered many a severe
gale.
The De Wit Clinton, which rescued the
twenty persons lives, is an old boat, used for
freight and passengers.
Immediately on the receipt of the above pain
ful tidings. we issued third edition, and the
city was thrown into deep sensation.
Not since the burning oflhe Ben Sherrod on
the Mississippi, George Washington, on Lake
Erie, and the Lexington, on Long Island Sound,
have we heard of such dreadful, shocking,
and deeply to be deplored calamity as the de-
struction of the ll-fated Erie, and more than
hundred and fifty men, women and children.
Until all the names Of these unfortunate persons
who have thus been hurried into eternity, are
known, anxiety never SO great will pervade
throughout the whole country.