The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-08-24
BURNING OF THE ERIE.


Running OF THE ERIE
We received byWestern Mail, the following add
,ional particulars of this melancholy and horrid
affair.
From the ato Commercial .8dvertiser Of Aug10
Most Appalling Calamity
DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAMBOAT ERIE, AND
THE Loss OF ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY LIVES?
Little did we think yesterday in pennng brief
paragraph in commendation Of the Erie, that today
we should be called upon to record the destruction
of that boat together with loss of life unqualified
on our own or almost any other waters. The Erie
left the dock 10 m nutes past p. M, loaded with
merchandise for Chicago and, nearly now
can be ascertaned, about 300 persons, including
passengers and crew, on board The boat had
been thoroughly overhauled, and although the
wind was blowing fresh, every thing promised a
pleasant and prosperous voyage. Nothing occurred
to tins prospect Till about 8, when the boat
was Off Silver Creek, about miles from shore, and
33 miles from this city, when slight explosion
was heard ,& Immediately, instautaneo usy, almost,
the whole vessel was envoloped In fame-Capt
Titus, who was on the upper deck at the time,
rushed TO the ladies' cabin to obtain the Life Pre-
servers, of which there were from 80 to 100 on
board but rapid had been the progress of the
flames, he found it impossible to enter the cabin
He returned to the upper deck on his way giving
orders to the engineer TO stop the engine, the wind
and the Roadway of the boat increasing the fierce
ness ofthe flames and driving them ait. The en-
giueer replied that in consequence OF the flames he
could not reach the engine. The steersman
Instantly directed TO put the helm hard starboafd
The vessel swung slowly round, heading to the
shore and the boats---there were three board
boats were lowered, bat in consequence of the
heavy sea on, and the Roadway Of the vessel they
both swamped as soon as they touched the water.
We will not attempt to describe the awful and
appalling condition of the passengers.
Some were frantic with fear and horror, others
plunged headong, madly into the water, others
seized upon any thing buoyant upon which they
could lay hands. The small boat forward had been
lowered. 1t was alongside the wheel, with three
or four persons in it, when the captain jumped in
and the boat Immediately dropped astern filled
with water. A lady hoated by with life preser-
yer on. She cried for hep-There was no safe
ty in the boat. The captain threw her the only
oar in the boat. She caught the oar and was saved
1t was Miss Lynde of Milwaukee, and she was the
only lady saved. In this conditions the boat a
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
10 p. NJ. The Clinton left here in the morning,
but in consequence ofthe wind had put into Dun
kirk. She laid there till nearly sunset, at which
time she ran out, and had proceeded as far as Bar
celoma when just at twilight, the fire OF the Erse
was discovered some 20 miles astern, The Gin
ton Immediately put about and reached the burning
~ siuht A tbo
upper works of the Erie had been burned away
The Engine was standing, but the hull was mass
of dull red flame. TIE passengers and crew were
floating around, screaming in their agones and
sbrieking for help. The boats of the Clinton were
instantly lowered and manned, and every person
that could be seen or heard picked up and
every possible relief afforded The Lady,a little
steamboat lying at Dunkirk, went ont of that har
Dor as soon as possible, after the discovery of the
fire, and arrived soon after the Clinton, 1t was