The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1844-11-12
Terrible Steamboat DisasterI
EXPLOSION OF THE
LUCY WALK E R.

FROM GO TO so KILLED AND WOUNDED!
The following account Of most deplorable
calamity, we copy from the Louisville Courier Of
the 9th ult;
EIt is with feelings the most acute and painful
that we record the following fearful disaster, and
the loss of so many valuable lives. The steam
boat "Lucy Walker,' Capt Vann, left this
place for New Orleans yesterday, crowded with
passengers. When about four or FIVE miles be-
low New Albany, and Just before sunset, some
part of her machinery got out of order, and the
engine was stopped in order to repair 1t. While
engaged in making the necessary repairs, the
water in the boilers got too low; and about Eve
minutes after the engine had ceased working, her
three boilers exploded with tremendous violence
and horrible and terrific effect. The explosion
the boilers was blown into thousands of pieces
The u S. snag-boat Gopher, Capt. l.. B. Dun
ham, was about two hundred yards distant at
the time Of the explosion. Capt. Durham was
Immediately on the spot, rescuing those in the
water, and with his crew rendering all the aid
in his power. To him we are indebted for most
Of our particulars. He informs US that the Lucy
Walker was in the middle of the river, and such
was the force Of the explosion, that parts Of the
boilers and the boat were thrown on shore. Just
after the explosion, the air was filed with human
beings and fragments Of human beings. One man
was blown up fifty yards, and fell with such forco
as to go entirely through the deck Of the boat.
another was cut entirely in two by piece Of
the boiler. We have heard OF many such heart.
rending and sickening Incidents
Before Capt Durham reached the place where
the Lucy Walker was, he saw a number of rer-
sons who had been thrown in the river, drown
He however saved the lives Of large number of
persons by throwing them boards and ropes, and
pulling them on his boat with hooks Immedi
ately after the explosion, the ladies cabin took
fire, and before it had been consumed, she sunk
in twelve or fifteen feet water. Thus is present.
ed the remarkable circumstance of boat ex-
ploding, burning, and sinking, all in the space of
few minutes. The screams and EXPLANATIONS
of the females, add those who were not killed, IS
represented as having been distressing and aw.
full. We believe none Of the females on board
were injured--some, hewever, may have been
drowned. The books of the boat we're destroyed,
and of course it will be impossible ever to ascer.
tain the names Of, or the number Of those killed
There were at least fifty or sixty persons killed
and missing, and fifteen or twenty wounded
some seriously. Capt Durham left the wound
ed at New Albany, all of whom were kindly and
well cared for by the hospitable and humane
citizens Of that town, Capt. Durham deserves
the thanks of the community for his humune and
vigorous excrtions 10 save the lives Of, and his
kindness and attention to the sufferers. He
stripped his boat Of every blanket, sheet, and
every thing necessary for their comfort.
Mr.. John Hixon and Mr.. Henry Bebee, pas
sengers on the Lucy Walker, deserve notice for
their GOODNESS and their efficient exertions in sa-
wing the lives of drowning persons. The follow
ing are the names Of the dead, missing and
wounded, 30 far as we have been able to learn
them.
KILLED AND MISSING.
Gen. P.J. Pegram, Of Richmond, Va.
Sam'l M Brown, Post Office Agent, of Lex
ington, Ky.
JR. Cormick, Of Virginia.
Chas. Dome, Of Louisville.
Philip Wallis, formerly OF Baltimore.
Rebecea, daughter Of A. J. Foster, of Greeas
Vile, Va.
J. Vanderbergh, of Louisville.
Mr.. Hughes, formerly of Lexington, Ky.
Mr.. Matlock, OfNew Albany, engineer of thu
steamboat Mazeppa.
Nicholas Ford, formerly of this city.
David Vann, the Captain.
Moses Kirby, pilot.
Second mate, second clerk. second engineer
bar-keepeF, and three deck hands, names un
known.
Four negro fFemen.
WOUNDED.
w. IT. Peebles-very badly hurt.
Mr.. Raines, Of Va. do.
First Engineer, do.
Capt Thompson, pilOt-aEms fractured.
Mr.. Roberts, of Philadelph ia--slightly hurt.
Il is supposed that John N. johnson am
Richard Philips wers on bOard--if 90, they ar
lost.
The boat was owned by Capt. Vann, of Ar
kansas, and was insured.
Snow SToRM In the vicinity Of Hannibal
Mo, on the Goth ultimo, snow fell, during tWent
iourg, TO an unusual extent. Il is believed ha
it laid the ground wsuld have been covered Z