Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-11-07
From he L5gi,silis Courier Of October "a.
STEAMBOAT DlSAS-
TER.


TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT DlSAS-
TER.
II is with feelings the most acute and
painful that we record the following fear
fuI disaster, and The loss OF SO many val.
liable lives. The sieamboa, Lucy Walk
er, Capt. VAES, left this place for New
Orleans yesterday crowded with passen-
gers. When about four or FIVE miles be-
low New Albany, and just before sunset,
some part OF he machinery go, out Of or
der, and the engine Yves stopped in order
to repair il. While engaged IN making
the necessary repairs the water IN The
boilers got 100 low; and about five min
utes afrer the engine had ceased working,
her three boilers exploded with tremen.
dous violence, and horrible and terlfc Ell
feet. The explosion was upwards, and
that part Of the boat above the boiler was
blown into thousands OF pieces. The
United States snag boat Gopher, Capt.
! l.. B. Durham, was about two hundred
yards distant aithe 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 mi ddle
OF the river, and such WINS the force OF
the explosion that parts Of the boilers and
the boat were thrown on shore. Just a.
ter the explosion the air was filled with
| -, - nnn hlnuv, IN
fifty yards and fell with such force ns to
go entirely through the deck Of the boat.
! Another was cut entirely in two by q
picco of the boiler. We have heard OF
many such hear!.endering and sickening
incidents.
] Before Capt. Durham reached the place
where the Lucy Walker was, he saw a
number OF persons drown who had been
thrown into the river. He, however
saved the lives OF large number by
throwing them boards and ropes, and pull
ling them on his boat with hooks. I'm
medately after the explosion the ladies'
cabin took fire, and before it had beer
consumed the boat sunk in twelve or fif
teen feet water. Thus is presented th,
remarkable circumstance Of boat explo
ding, burning, and sinking, all IN the
space of few minutes. The screams anC
EXPLANATIONS of the famales and thos,
who were not killed is represented as hav
: ing been distressing and awful. We be
leve none Of the females on board wer,
injured-some, however, may have beef
drowned. The books Of the boat wer,
, destroyed, and Of course ii will be impos
, sible ever 10 ascertain the names or III,
number OF those killed. There were a
least fifty or sixty persons killed and mis-
, sing, and fifteen or twenty wounded
some seriously. Capt. Dunham left th.
S wounded at New Albany, all Of whom
were kindly and I'll care for by thu
, hospital and humane cltizens oil that town
, Capt. D. deserves the thanks OF the com
munity for his humane and vigorous OK
5 er,ions to save the lives Of, and his kind
! ness and attention TO tho sufferers. lie
stripped his boat Of every blanket. sheet
and every thing else necessary for then
comfort. Mr. John Hi.on aud Mr., den
ry Bebee, passengers on the Lucy Wal.
ker, deserve notice for their GOODNESS and
their efficient exe,tions in saving the lives
of drowning persons. The following are
the namts Of the dead, missing, AM woun
ded SO far as we have been able 10 learn
them:
KILLED AND MISSING. Gen. J. w.
Pegram. of Richmond. Va; Samuel M.
Brown, Pos, Office Agent, of Lexington,
KY; J. r. Cormick, of Virginia; Charles
Donne, OF Louisville; Philip Wallis, Tor.
mery Of Baltimore; Rebccca, daughter
of A. J. Foster, Of Greenv;lle, Va; Jas,
Vanderberg, OF Louisville; Mr.. Hog $,
formerly OF Lexington, KY; Mr.. Ea,ock
Of New Albany, engineer Of the steam
boat Mazepps; Nicholas Ford, formerly
of Louisville; David Vann the captain
Moses Kirby, pilot; second mate, second
clerk, second engineer, barkeeper. and
three deck hands, names unknown; four
negro firemen.
WoUNDEp.-W. II. PEBBLES, Mr..
Raines, of Virginia, and the First Engi-
neer, oil very badly hunt Cap. Thomp.
son, pilot, aims fractured; Mr.. Roberts,
of Philadelphia. slightly hurt.
1t is supposed That John N. Johnson
and Richard Philips wire on toard. # so,
they are lost.
The boat was owned by Capt. Vann,
of Arkansas. and was insured. We hope
to be able to learn more names aud par
tlculars Tomorrow.