The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-08-26
From the BuffaiO Commercial Advertiser.
MOST APPALLING CALAMITY !


tie loss ef one hundred and serenty ices
Little did we think yesterday in pennng
brief paragraph in commentator Of he
Erie, that, to-day we should be called up
ON TO record the destruction OF that boat
together with loss of life unequalled on
our own or almost any other waters. The
Erie left the dock at 10 minutes past
Z. NJ. loaded with merchandise, destined
for Chicago, and, as nearly as now can be
ascertained, about two hundred persons,
including passengers and crew on board. /
The boat hau been thoroughly overhauled, (
and although the wind was blowing fresh,
every thing promised pleasant aad pros.
porous voyage. Nothing occurred 10 mar
tins prospect till about ;, when the boat
was OFF Silver Creek, about miles from
shore, and SO miles from this city, when
a slight explosion was heard, and immedi-
ately, instantaneously almost, the whole
vessel was enveloped in flames. Capt. II.
tus, who was on the upper deck, at the
time, rushed to the Ladies Cabin 10 obtain
the Life Preservers, of which there were
from 90 10 100 on board, but so rapid had
been the progress Of the flames, he found
II impossible to enter the cabin. lie re-
turned to the upper deck, on his way CIV
lug orders TO the Engineer to stop the en-
gina, the wind and the Roadway OF toe
boat increasing the ferceness Of the flames
and driving them aft. The Engineer re.
piled that in consequence Of the flames he
could not reach the engine. The steerer
was instantly directed 10 pat the helm bard
a starboard. The vessel swung slowly
round, heading to the shore, and the boats
there being three on board-werc then
ordered 10 be lowered. Two of the boats
were lowered, but in consequence OF the
heavy sea on and the Roadway Of the yes
sci, thew both swamped rs soon as they
touched water. We will not attempt to
describe the awful and appalling condition
Of the passengers. Some we're irantc with
fear and horror, others plunged hcadlong
madly into the water, others again seiZed
upon any thing buovant upon which they
could lay hands. The small boat forward
had been lowered. II was alongside the
wheel, with three or four persons IN Il,
when the captain jumped IL and the boat iln-
mcdia,eiy dropped astern hiled wuh water.
A lady tloated BY with life preseper
on. She cried for help. There was no
safety 10 the boat. She caught the oar
and was saved. 1t was Mrs. Iynde Of Nil.
waukie, and she was the ouly lady saved.
In this condition, The boat was mass Of
fierce fire, aud the passengers aud CREW
endeayoring TO save themselves BY swim
ming or supporting themselves by whate-
yer they could rcach--lhey were touad by
the Clinton at about 10, p. VI. The Chm
ton left here in The morning, but IN coHse.
quence Of the wind had put into Dunkirk.
She laid there until nearly sunset, al which
time she ran out, and had proceeded as far
as Barcelona, when Just al twilight, the
fi,t Of the E.ie WAS discovered some 20
miles astern. The Clinton immediately
put about and reached the burning wreck
about TO- /, was fearful sight. All The
upper works of the Erie had been burned
away. The engine was standing, but the
huh was a mass Of dull, red fare. The
passengers and crew were floating around,
screaming IN their agony aud -hriekiug for
help. The boats OF the Clinton were III.
stanily lowered and manned, and every
person that could be seen OF heard was
picked up, and cvory possible relief afford
ed. The Lady, a little steamboat lylog a;
Duukirk, went out of that harbor as soon
as possible, after the discovery Of tie FIRE
aud arrived soon after the Clinton. Il wa
not thought by the survivors that he say.
ed any Ry /, A. VI. all was still exccp
I the dead crackiug OF the fire. Not a 50
0 Ijary individual could be seen OF heard Of
tho Wild waste Of waters. 4 tue wa.
then made fast to the remains Vi the Efte
r ruddar, and an effort made to tow the hap
less hull ashore. About this une ih,
Ghauiauque came up and lent her assis
!. lance. The hull OF the Eric was towe,
= within about four miles Of the shore, vhei
il sunk IN eleven fathoms water. lly lhp
time it was day light. The lines were car
o od. The Clinton headed for this port
q which size reached about O'Clock. o
those who are saved, several are badi,
burned, but none arc dangerously tnlure,
n so Ear a. we have heard.
Y ORIGIN OF TIE FIRE.-Among the pas
Is sengers on board we're six Painters ia th
employ Of Mr.. W. 6. Miller, Of this City
&c who were going to Erie to paint the steam
,e boat Madison. They had with them dc
re mlohns filled with spirits of tupcntine an
Of varnlsh, which, unknown TO Capt. Titus
e were placed on the boiler deck over tn
:, boilers. Ono Of the trcncn, who wa
saved, says he had OCCASION to 20 on deck
.. and seeing the demJohns, removed them
y They were replaced, but BY whom IS NJ
Of known. Immediately previous 10 the burst
j. ing forth Of the flames, Al several on boar
to have assured us, slight explosion va
,e heard. The dcmUohns had probably burs
.e with the heat and their inhammable con
& tents taking fire instantly, communicate
to every part Of the boat, which, havln
ne been freshly vanished, caught as if 1t ha
been gunpowder
to Not paper nor An article Of any kin
- was saved. OF course II IS Impossible I