Litchfield enquirer., 1841-08-19
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
From the Bufalo Com. Adrertiser, Aug. II.


The Erie left the dock at 10 minutes past P M :,
loaded with merchandise destined tor Chicago and,
as nearly can be ascertained, about two hun
bred persons including passengers and crew, on
board. The boat had been thoroughly Overhnuled,
and although the " ind blowing fresh, every thing
promised pleasant and prosperous voyage. Nothing
occurred mar this prospect ill about miles from
shore, and SO miles from this city, when slight
plOsion was heard, and Immediately. insantaneously
almost, the whole vessel was envenped IN flame.
Capt TIrUs, who was on the upper deck, at the
time. rushed to the Ladies Cabin to obtain the Life
Prescrvers, Of which there were from 80 to 100 on
board, but rapid had been the progress Of the
flames, he found it impossible enter the cabin. He
returned the upper deck, his way giving orders
70 the Engineer to stop the engine the wind and the
Roadway Of the boat increasing the ferceness Of the
harpes and driving them aft The Engineer replied
that III consequence of the flames he could not reach
the engine The steersman instantly directed to
put the helm hard starboard. The vessel swung
slowly round, heading to the shore. and the boats
there were three on board-were then ordered to be
lowered Two Of the boats were lowered but in con.
sequence ct the heavy sea on, and the Roadway OF
the vessel they both swamped soon as they touch.
ed water We will not attempt to describe the awful
and appalling condition Of the passengers.
Some were frantic wi fear and horror. others
plunged headlong madly into the water, others again
se" hg
lowered. 1t was alongside the wheel, with fhr'e or
four persons in it, when the captain jumped in, and
the boat Immediately dropped astern and filled with
water. A lady foated with life preseryer 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. !, was Mrs. Lynde
Of Milwaukee, and she was the only lady saved. In
this condition the boat, 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 49, P. NJ. The Clinton lief, here in the morn
ing, but in consequence Of the wind had put into Dun.
kirk She laid there till nearly sunset, at which time
when just twilight, the fire Of the Erie was discov-
cred some twenty miles asern. The Clinton imme-
diately put about aud reached the burning wreck
works Of the Erie had been burned away. The En-.
CINE standing, but the hull mass Of dull red
fame. The passengers and crew were floating
help. The boats Of the Clinton instantly nw-
cred and manned, and every person that could lie
eeen Of heard Was picked up and every possible re-
lei afforded. The Lady, little steamboat lying at
Dunkirk. went of that harbor possible
after the discovery Of the fire. and arrived soon after
the Clinton. Ii was not thought BY the survivors,
that she saved any. BY A. NJ. all was still except
the dead cracking of the fire. Not solitary ndvid.
ual could be seen or heard that wild of wa
ters. A line was then made fast to the remains OF
the Free r9dder and an effort made to tow the hap
came up and lent her assistance. The hull OF the
Erie was tOwed within four miles Of the shore. when
it sunk IN eleven fa,hnns of water. BY this time it
was daylight. The lines were cast off. The CLINTON
headed for this port, which she reached abou Go clock
OF those who saved. several are badly burned.
hut none are dangerously injured so far as we have
heard.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.-Amone the passengers on
hoard 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 demi-
johns filed with spirits of turpenne and varnlsh,
which, unknown to Capt. TITUS, were placed on the
boiler deck directly the boilers. One OF the fire.
men, who was saved, says he had occasion to go on
the deck. and seeing the demohns, removed them.
They were replaced. but by whom 10 not known.
Immediately previous to the bursting forth OF the
flames, several on board have assured u.s. a slight
explosion was heard. The demiiohns had probably
burst with the heat, and their niammable contents,
taking fire instantly, communicated to every cart oil
the boat, which having been freshly vanished
caught as If it had been eunpowder
Not paper nor an article OF any kind was saved
or course it is impossible to give compfee list Of
these on board. Of cabin passengers Capt. TIrUs
thinks there between 30 and 40, OF whom 10 OF
IL were ladies' In the steerage were about lao pas
sengefs. nearly all Of whom were Swiss and German
immigrants. They were mostly in families with the
usual proportion of meH women and children. Ihe
heart beeds ut the thought.
Ii 10 q singular coincidence that the Enc was
burned At almost identcay the sama spot where the
who commanded tbs Washington at that time. hap
Pened be board the Clinton, and was very active
in saving the survivors of the Erie.
We annex list Of the lost 90 far as we have been
able to ascertain
Losr.-W. nj. Camp. Harrishureh, Pa; Wi!let
Weeks, Brooklyn; John c. Pool. New York city
E. S. Cobb. Ann Arbor. Mich Otto Thorp. n. 7.
Mr.. Joles. Steward Of the boat: Mrs. Giles Williams
Chicago Chs. Lynde. MILWAUKEE,; Watts s
Lynder Homer, N. Y; Mrs. VIM. Il. Smith ant
child, Schenectada A. Sears, Philip Barber Henry
Weaver VIM. Thomas, - Evans. Peter Finney
painters, Buffalo, in the employ Of VIM. G. Miller