Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-28
Tks Loss of The Erie.


THE ESeiNER's STArEMESr.-The New York
Commercial has statement by Mr.. Cemer 8, the
inst engineer, in relation to the loss of the steam
hnat "Ere." She had about lsO deck pssscnsers---
"IDong them 1870 Germans, so Cabin passengers,
'hou, IL Of them ladies', IS crew and ten r,ps
cians--in oil 265 persons.--The first scenes on
hoard the boat correspond with the accounts alrea-
dy given. Then we have this interesting passage.
The whole Of the vessel, with the exception of
small part Of the rwad lower deck, was one mass
u fire, lighting up the whole heavens; as the flames
would wave to and fro he could see the bodies of
Trnc passengers writhing as i, in their agony
sud endcaYrrns TO throw themselves overheard,
hut apparently not possessing strength to get over
the rail-while Oh the fore part of the deck were
sen some dozen or more wildly throwing about
their arms and filling the air with cries and shrieks
"hch seemed to pierce his very heart. In fact.
uld Ms G., ESQ horrible and dreadful was the
sight that at one time felt almost ready 10 suffer
.hysclf to sink beneath the water without an effort
10 save myself, the scene nigh, I've hidden from my
view."-He again turned from the boa, and saw
c.cw-They called TO him to get on il, He did
80, but it barely supported them all; fortunately
hrpcrccived the drawer of bureau neal by, which
sc reached, and placing il bottom upwards under
hc plank floaied with more case He had not been
Al The plank many minutes before he perceived an
O.acrly man swimming by nearly exhausted he
o'l'ed to him and rclinquished his place on the
plank to the old man while he again tru ted TO his
swimming. 1t was not long, however, before he
,ncount red of the "fenders" and as he was Sc
,uring it, he saw two more of the passengers--ths
also he gave upto them. After swimming about
alone for some minutes he was hailed by the cap.
I'm, and turning round saw him and four of the
n'ew the yaw which was bottom upwards
'ie also got on il, when the Captain informed him
s'at there was lady floating by. He soon dis
,-,,ered her. This was Mrs. Lynde life preser-
80 was about her neck, but not one quartr tfed
a'th air. her hand grasped oar, and she was to
II appearance dead. Mr.. e. thought by filling the
te.preserver she must connue TO float, and if
i'ickcd up be recognized by her friends. With
,hs intention he applied his mouth to the tube and
"rnmenced filling it. While SO doing Mrs l.,
irin'ly spoke and said, "you are very kind, SIR"
Finding she was alive he continued to Gil the life
rsservcr, but SO exhausted was he tha, he could
10 IT but imperfec,ly. He then drew her towards
&c yawl, when she revived little and said, "save
''c If you can, but rather all your efforts for
,"urscf and let me die if I cannot be saved with
vat sacrificing Others" "Such language from
f. male" said Mr., g., "made me resolve that if
saved she should be also."-And his efforts
we're constantly directed TO her, and successfully.
ihry continued on the yaw for about two hours,
,,hcn the De Witt Clinton rescued them.
It, thought that with the exception of Mrs.
l.ynLe, not lady got out of The Cabin. l, is his
arnon tha, nearly two thirds of the lost were burn.
To death. 10 persons in all, gained the bottom
'i the yawl-but of those, were subsequently
Nrshed off and drowned