Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-08-31
he Buffalo CONNIE, cial Advertiser.
CORONER'S INQUEST.

lars;
FROM ne BH9ato CONNIE, cial Adcertiser
CoRONER'S INQUEST.
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
August IL, 3 P. M.
The following gentlemen composing
Jury, were called together and empanneIIed
by the Coroner, Doct. L. F. HARRIS, to
investigate the causes which led to the de-
struction of the Steamboat Erie.
JOSEPH CLARY, Foreman. E. D. Ec-
ner, William Williams, Thos r. Stock
ing, S. S. Case, S. t. Calender, r. POM
croy, ii. K. Seymour, G.. c.. Haddock, N.
Fosburgh, S. Chamberlin, r. II. May
nard. l.. Storrs, S. Mathews, E. Hatha-
way, AIcott.
i. j. Titus Sworn.-My age is 33 !;
have been on the lake 6 years; have been
raster of vessel or 0years; comman-
ed the schooner United States, schr. HUI
On, S. b. Ohio, S. B. Sandusky, and the
Erie. The Erie was built at Erie, Pa,
This is he fourth season out; she has been
running constantly; have had charge of
her since her coming out.
A photographic view Of the boat was
here exhibited, and fully explained bv the
witness, in order to obtain the precise TO-
cale of those on board land the place where
the paints were said to have been stored.
The Erie was between 500 and 600
tons; the draft Of the Erie was very strong,
equal to any other boat on the lake; was
on board the Erie when she left port: her
cargo was mostly dry goods and hard
warc-the cargo is generally slowed by
the chief and second mate; do not know if
there were any paints on board knew
there were painters on board, but knew no.
thing OF their materials; Col. Reed is prn-
ciplc owner Of the Erie and the Madison.
The Erie left port at 10 minutes past A, p.
m, On Monday last; wind was fresh from
the south and west; the lake was rough !:
laid our course for Dunkirk; at 0 minutes
past eight the same evening, heard the cry
of fire; we were about three miles off Sill
YER Creek landing at this time; was stand
ing on The forward part Of the promenade
deck, some ten yards from the wheelsman;
first saw the fire coming out back Of the
escape pipe; saw fire before saw smoke;
the hold of the Erie was III feet deep: the
fire was ID feet below me; were some sew
en- or eight miles from the shore; the wind
was abating but the sea was rough. When
| heard the cry Of fire walked aft to the
man at the wheel, and told him to put the
wheel hard at the south, which was done
Immediately ; TO remain at his post, to
keep her TO the shore; and remained there
until | saw land distinctly. | saw Mr..
Williams, he said, Captain, don't be excl
ted;' | made no reply, but walked aft to-
III h., A.. |
finally concluded to stop the engine; Thought
o(thc Lexington, and the necessity Of stop
ping the Erie; our cnancs would be better
if that was done; walked past the engine,
but did not see the engineer; had he been
nj his post should have observed him; at
tempted to descend the passage way, where
| met him 10; told him TO stop the engine,
no said, Capt Titus, it is impossible-I
can't unlock it, | then stood on the deck
a short time; the men were preparing to
get out the boat do not think much was
done 10 accomplish this object. After at
tempting to hoist the boat, told the men
10 dosSt as it was not lime yet; MANY per-
sons were ready 10 jump into the boat
An effort was again made to hoist out the
small boat; then walked down the after
stairs; as stepped down | saw much
flames below, driving forcely against the
ladies' cabin. My object was to get TO the
ladies' cabin to obtain life prcsevers, seve-
raj being there ready for use; the whole
cabin was in a body Of flame, and no fe-
males were near it. then returned to the
promenade deck, and saw the small boat
put over; many Jump in and she Instantly
capsized. Every body rushed in her, and
| was left alone on the deck, not soul
was near me; | then went forward to ano-
ther boat on the larboard side; the flames
at the same time coming up in body from
below; then went to the other boat for
ward: three or four persons were there; |
took hold OF the tackle and said, boys, let
us launch this boat but thinking the en-
gno still in motion, | told the men to stop
moment; they, however, got the boat