Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-11-07
From the Baltimore Clipper

From the Baltimore Clipper.
TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT DlsAsTER-ExPlo
SION OF THE LUCY wALKER-sIxTY 10
EIGHTY KILLED AND WOUNDED.
1t will be seen by the account below, taker
from the Louisville Courier of Thursday, that a
mother frightful Steamboat explosion, attended
with great loss Of life, has occurred on the Ohio.
and that among the list Of the killed and wound
ed, is Philip Wallis, Esq. formerly of this city.
which we trust may prove to be erroneous. The
account from the Courier, is as follows:
Its with feelings the most acute and painful
that we record the following fearful disaster,
Steamboat Lucy Walker, Capt Vann, left THE
| place for New Orleans yesterday, crowded with
passengers. About 4 or s miles below New Ale
bany, and just before sunset, some part Of her
| machinery got out of order, and the engine was
stopped in order TO repair it. While engaged in
making the necessary repairs, the. water in the
boilers got too low; and about 5 minutes after
the engine had ceased working her 3 boilers ex-
ploded with tremendous violence and horrible
and terrific effect. The explosion was upwards,
and that part of the boat above the boilere. was
blown into thousands Of pieces. Tho U. S.
snag boat Gopher, Captain l.. B. Durham, 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 rendered all the aid in his power.
10 him we are indebted for most of our particu-
lars. He informs us that the Lucy Walker wac
In the middle OF the river, and such was the
force OF the explosion, that parts oil the boilers
and the boat were thrown shore. Just after
,he explosion, the air filed with human
bsings and fragments of human beings. Ono
inhp was blown up fifty yards, and fell With
such force as to go entirely through tho 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 number of per-
sons who had been thrown into the river, drown.
He however saved the lives of large number Of
persons by throwing them boards and ropes, and
pulling them his boat with hooks. Imms.
dately after the explosion, the ladies' cabin took
hire, and before 1t had been consumed, she sunk
In twelve or fifteen feet water Thus is present.
ed the remarkable circumstances of a boat expIo.
ding, burning. and sinking, all in the space of
lew minutes. The screams and ordinations of
The females, and those who not killed, 10
represented as having been distressing and aw-
|u. We believe none of the females on board
were lnJured-some, however, may have been
irowned The books of the boat were destroyed,
and OF course it will be impossible ever to ascer-
ain the names or the number Of those killed.
! here were at least fifty sixty persons killed
some seriously. Capt. Durham left the wound
I'd at New Albany, all of whom were kindly and
we'll cared for by the hospi,able and humane CHI.
lens of that town. Captain Durham deserves
he thanks OF the community for his humane and
rigorous exertions to save the lives of, and his
iindness and attention to the sufferers. He
stripped his boat of every blanket, sheet, and
very thing else necessary for their comfort.
MIR. John Hixon and Mr.. Henry Bebee, pas
engers on the Lucy Walker, deserve notice for
heir GOODNESS and their efficient services in 81.
ing the lives OF drowning persons. The fol-
owing are the names of the dead, missing and
far we have been able to learn
hem.
KILLED AND MISSING.
Gen. j. w. Pegram, of Richmond, Va.
Sam'l: M. Brown, Post Office Agent, Of Lex
ngtcn, Ky.
J. Il. Cormick, Of Virginia.
Charles Dome, of Louisville.
Philip Wallis, formerly of Baltimore.
Rebecca, daughter of A. ]. Foster, of Greens.
lille, Va.
James Vanderberg, of Louisville.
MIR. Hughes, formerly Of Lexington, Ky.
Mr.. Mattock, Of New Albany, engineer Of the
Mazeppa.
Nicholas Ford, formerly of this city.
David Vann, the Captain.
Moses Kirby, Pilot.
Second mate, second clerk, second engineer,
barkeeper, and three deck hands, names un.
known.
-Four negro iremen.
WOUNDED.
w. II. Peebles-very badly hut.
Mr.. Ranes, of Va. do.
First Engineer do.
Capt. Thompson, pilot-arms fractured.
Mr. Roberts, of Philadelph ia-sligh,ly hurt.
Ii is supposed that John N. Johnson and Rich.
ard Philips were on board-If so they are lost.
The boat was owned by Capt. Vann, of Ar
kansas, and was insured.