Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-03-17

The Steamboat Creole Burnt---Loss
of Many Lives, and great De-
structiOM of Property.
The steamboat Creole, Captain Dalmau, one
Of the Red River packets, on her passage from
Natchitoches to New Orleans, with cargo ol
upward of 1000 bales of cotton, boxes of spe.
Gle, bundles of bank notes, merchandise, &C.
came out of Red River at the grey of dawn on
Monday morning. When about IL miles be-
low, she was discovered to be on fire, and a
general alarm was given. The passengers
more than sixty in number, and consisting oil
men, women and children, were all in their
berths at the time. The fire commenced at the
after part of the boat, the tiler ropes were i'm
medatey severed, and the confusion, conster-
nation and panic which ensued defies descrip-
tion. Amid the raging Of the flames the engine
continued working and drove the boat directly
agaist the shore.
Here four persons leaped off and escaped.
Rebounding, as 1t appeared, she altered her
course, and running near mile and half
brought up against the bank on the opposite
of the river. In the mean time, and while the
Creole was crossing the river, many of the pas
sengers and some oil the crew threw over bales
of cotton, on which they embarked. Some,
missing their aim in jumping, or their balance
afterward, were precipitated into the stream
and drowned. Many remained on board till
she reached the opposite shore, when they
leaped of. A few were fortunate enough to
reach the land, but the greater part plunged
into the water. and it is believed Of these near
ly all were rescued The present estimate is
that about twelve human beings lost their lives
by the catastrophe. OF the 20 or 80 unac-
counted for it is hoped the most Of them foated
off on cotton, and may have been picked up
by steamboats, and other crafts. There was
scarcely an article saved. The passengers,
male and female, with scarcely an exception,
escaped with barely what they slept in The
proverbial hospitality and kindness of the in
habitants of the neighborhood relieved their
pressing necessities, and enabled them to reach
the city.
The following card, signed by many of the
surviving passengers, has been handed to us
for publication:
At meeting of the passengers saved from
the steamboat Creole, held at the house of Mr..
David Gay, Bayou Moreau, Point Coupee, Mr.
Henry Bonner was called to the Chair, and
Mr.. Joseph P. Deighan was appointed secre-
tary The following statement being submit
ted, it received the signature of of all present:
We, the undersigned, passengers on board
the steamboat Creole, from Natchitoches, bound
TO New Orleans, while we deeply regret the
awful accident which has deprived some of our
fellow travellers of existence, have at least the
pleasure to believe that no censure can be Just
ly attributed to the worthy captain or officers,
who exerted themselves in the ablest manner
to secure the lives of those entrusted to their
care. Captain Dalmau was the last to leave
his boat, and during the awful crisis preserved
a tranquility and self possession highly credita-
bic to himself The cause of this catastrophe
is unknown---ihe fire originated toward the
stern, and it is believed by the undersigned
that no reasonable conjecture can be formed as
regards its origin.
To the captain of the steamboat Baltic, the
passengers feel themselves gratefully obligated
for the prompt assistance he rendered. The
Baltic rescued many from waterygrave. The
kindness manifested by Mr.. David Gay, Mr.
A. J. Brame, and Mrs. Dukes, who received and
accommodated all who escaped, deserves not
only perpetual recollection of those befriended,
but the respect of their fellow-citizens gener-
rlly, for their humanity
HENRY BONNER, President.
JOSEPH P. DEIGHAN, Secretary
James Campbell Reuben Carnal