Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-08-20
From the Buffalo Com. Adv. and Journal.
MOST APPALLING CALAMITY

From the Buffalo Com. Adv. and Journal
MOST APPALLING CALAMITY
Destruction ofde Steamboat Eric by fire, and
the loss Of one hundred and serenity hires.
Little did we think yesterday, in penning a
brief paragraph in commentator of the Erie,
that, to day, we should be called upon to re.
cord 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 4, =. NJ loaded with merchan-
die destined for Chicago, and, as nearly as
now can be asccrtaned, about 200 persons, in
GLIDING passengers and crew on board. The
boat had been thoroughly overhauled, and al
though the wind was blowing fresh, every
thing promised pleasant and prosperous voy.
age. Nothing occurred to mar this prospect
till about 9, when the boat was offSilver Creek
about miles from the shore and 80 miles from
this city, when slight explosion was heard, and
Immediately, instantaneously almost, the whole
vessel was enveopcd in flame.
Capt TiTus, who was on the upper deck at
the time rushed to the ladies' cabin to obtain
the life preservers, of which there were from
~ to lOO on board, but go rapid had been the
progress OF the flames, he found it impossible
to enter the cabn-tIe 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 ferceness of the
flames and driving them aft. The Engineer
replied that in consequence of the flames he
could not reach the engine The steersman
was instantly directed 10 put the helm hard
starboard-The vessel swung slowly round,
heading to the shore, and the boats-there were
three on board-were then ordered to be low
cred. Two Of the boats were lowered, but in
consequence Of the heavy sea on, and the head
,s.o,, tba LosL
as they touched water. We will not attempt
to describe the awful and appalling situation of
the passengers Some were frantic with fear
and horror, others plunged headlong madly into
the water, others again 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 in, when the captain jumped in and
the boat Immediately dropped astern filled with
water A lady foated by with life preserver
on. She cried for help There was no safety
in the boat. The captain threw her the only
oar in the boat. She caught the oar and was
saved. 1t was Mrs. LYNDE of Milwaukee, and
she was the only lady saved. In this condition
the boat mass of fierce fire, and the passen.
gers 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, T. NJ. The Clinton
left here in the morning, but IN consequence
of the wind had put in to Dunkrk. She laid
there till nearly sunset at which time she ran
out, and had proceeded as far as Barcelona,
when just at twilight the fire Of the Eric was
discovered some 20 miles astern.
The Clinton Immediately put 'out and
ached the burning wreck abont 10. L. was a
fearful sight. All the upper works OF the Erie
had been burned away. The Engine was stan.
ding, but the hull was amass of dull, red flame.
The passengers and crew were floating around,
screaming in their agony and shrieking for help.
The boats Of the Clinton were instantly low.
cred and manned, and every person that could
be seen Or heard was picked up, and every pos
sbe relief afforded. The Indy, little boa,
lying at Dunkirk, went out of the harbor as soon
as possible, after the discovery of the fire, and
arrived soon after the Clinton. It was not
thought by the survivors that she saved any,
By 4. NJ. all was still except the dead crack.
ling Of the fire. Not solitary individual could
be seen or heard on the wild waste Of waters.-
A line was then made fast to the remains of the
Erie's rudder, and an effort made to tow the
tauque came UP and lent her assistance. The
hull of the Erie was towed within about foul
miles Of the shore, when it sank in clever
fathoms water by this time il was DAYLIGHT
The lines were cast off. The Clinton headed
for this port which she reached about O'Clock
OF those who are saved, several are badly burn
ed, but none are dangerously injured so far al
we have heard.
Oyc,. ov TUE r,vr-Am,ro Tho mason
,ors WV o,rd ,,,nr. CIV n,intar. + ,ho rsmnIo,
q NJ. w q. Miller Of This ci,v. who were p W.
ino 70 Eric to naint tho Steamboat M,S;son
TSov had vv;,h than dam; ;nhns t;IIod ,,;,h sn;r
;ts ~ tmrnentine and varnsh which mni,rnru nv"
70 Canaan T,us were nlaced nv tho ho;le
deck directly over the boilers. One NJ tho fire
men, who was saved, saws he had occasion Il
nm IN rho deck and soe;n, tho dom;;ohns "a
~ y" VIZ "Seh' o''o oSS'"6 VIC ucHiiJoh'ies ic