The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-10-29
TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT DISASTER.
EXPLOSION OF THE LUCY WALKER
6O TO 80 KILLED AND WOUNDED.

ATLOoloN OF The LUCY w ALkEh-
6O TO 80 KILLED AND WOUNDED.
From the Louisville (Ky) Courier, Oct. "a.
1t 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 below New Alba
ny, and just before sunset, some part of her ma
chinery 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 five minutes after
the engine had ceased working, her three boilers
exploded with tremendous violence, and horrible
and terrific effect. The explosion was upwards,
and that part of the boat above the boilers was
blown into thousands of pieces. The U. S. snag-
boat Gopher, Capt. L. B. Durham, was about
two hundred yards distant at the time of the ex-
plosion. 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 ex-
plosion, the air was filled with human beings and
fragments OF human beings. One man was
blown up fifty yards and fell with such force as
to 60 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 sckening Incidents.
Before Capt. Durham reached the place where
the Lucy Walker was, he saw a number of per-
sons who had been thrown into the river, drown.
He however saved the lives of a large number
Of hv I'D
and pulling them on his boat with hooks. Imme-
diatey 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-
plodng, burning, and sinking, all in the space of
a few minutes. The screams and EXPLANATIONS
of the females, and those who were not killed, is
represented as having been distressing and awful
We believe none of the females on board were
injured--some, however, may have been drowned
The books of the boat were destroyed, and of
course it will be impossible ever to ascertain the
names 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 wounded at
New Albany, all of whom were kindly and well
cared for by the hospitabe and humane citizens
of that town. Captain Durham deserves the
thanks of the community for his humane and
vigorous exertions to save the lives Of and his
kindness and attention to the sufferers. He
stripped his boat of every blanket, sheet, and
every 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 exertons in saw
ing the lives of drowning persons. The follow
ing are the names of the dead, missing, and
wounded, SO far as we have been able to learn
them.
KILLED AND MISSING.
Gen. J. w. Pegram, of Richmond Va.
Samuel M. Brown, Post Office Agent, of Lex
ingon, KY
J. R. Cormick, Of Virginia.
Charles Dome, Of Louisville.
Philip Wallis, formerly of Baltimore
Rebecca, daughter of A. j. Foster, of Green's
vile, Va.
Jas. Vanderberg, of Louisville.
Mr.. Hughes, formerly of Lexington, KY
Mr.. Matiock, OF New Albany, engineer of the
steamboat 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 unknown.
-Four negro firemen.
WOUNDED.
w. H. Peebles-very badly hurt
Mr.. Ranes, of Va, do.
First Engineer, do.
Capt. Thompson, pilot arms fractured.
Mr.. Roberts, of Ph|a., slightly hurt.
1t is supposed that John N. Johnson and Rich
ard Phillips were on board--if so, they are lost.
The boat was owned by Captain Vann, of Ar
kansas, and was insured.
We hope to be able to learn more names and
particulars to- morrow.
Mr.. Joseph f. Smith and VIM. f. McMath
two OF the Perote prisoners, came passengers on
the brig ). w. Huntington, from Vera Cruz, and
confirm the report of the release of all the Texan
prisoners in Mexico, except Antonio Navarro, who
is retained for treason.
Mr.. Hargous of Vera Cruz, has chartered the
schr. Rosetta, for the purpose of sending the pr-
soners to this place, as they could not clear for
Galveston from Vera Cruz-N. O. Bee.
ROBBERY AT NEWARK, N. 1.-The Daily Adj
pertser, OF the 18th instant, says: Last night the
,ffice DonuhertU Dick oreon q, r. NJ