Litchfield enquirer., 1845-08-21
STEAMER SUNK ON LAKE ERIE-LoSS OF
 

.. This morning, (Tuesday) about o'clock, was awakened by a most tremendous crash: jumped out of my berth, as we'll as every body else, and running hastily up stairs found that we had come in contact with another steamer, whose name was lost m the confusion. descended and put on my boots. ran up stairs and beheld aScene which can not attemp. to describe. The other boat was rap- idly sinking, and her passengers, scteamng, gToan ing, shouting and praying were coming on 6oaFu our boat, There were between 80 and 90 souls on board, and all were saved but Sor 10. Alter pick ing up every thing from the wreck we could get hold of we left her, with her stern few feet o6t of water. upon which we placed a temporary flag to mark the spot"
 The Detroit .qduertiser has letter from cor respondent, furnishing more particular accouh:o ol this disaster:
 At half-past 3 A. M. Tuesday, below Point au Pellee on Lake Erie, the London, steamer rom Buffalo, and the Kent steamer on her downward massage @ me in contact with dreadful crash ana the result of the concusson the loss of the lat ter boat, and, we grieve to add, several lives
 have no heart to dwell upon the scene we wit. messed. For some minutes we supposed we had broken the machinery of the London, and we were gong to the bottom; and were only relieved from the apprehension of watery grave by the sight of the Kent, rapidly sinking. at our bows. Every ef- tort was made to save her passengers, and all who were in sight were saved, several Of those m the cabin being transferred to our boat without even their clothes. But, sad to say, number were lost being unable to gain the upper deck in time A. mong these we reckon Rev. James F. Quaw, Bed- ford, Michigan; MT. Charles Osborn, Gcnesee Co N. Y.; MT. Seth Deming. Berlin. Ct.; Master Bruce Deming, Galena, w. T.; James Lowding, Yysilanti, Mich.
 Two young ladies and a boy from near Ypsilan- ii, names not known.
 All the officers and hands of the boat and 79 1 passengers, including 10 children, were saved.
 Without any formal proceedings on the subject our messengers have eEdeavored to ascertain the cause of this dreadful accident, and we have no doubt it occurred in consequence of the error in the pilot of the Kent attempting to pass on the wrong side of the London, which brought her directly a. cross the bow and at this the engineer of the Lon- don as soon as he saw the course of the Kent shut off his steam, yet his boat had too much headway and the Kent was cut down in front of her wheel house. We remained five hours with the wreck, gathering floating parcels of baggage. &c and at. tempting to tow the hull ashore, but she gradually sunk by the head, and we were compelled to per- form the sad office of hosting her flag half mast and leaving her to her fate.
 The London is not at all injured. Our passengers have done something to relieve the necessities of the sufferers-the ladies dividing their wardrobes, and the gentlemen opening their purses.
 Oc- The Bufalo Commercial says:
 "It is feared more names will hereafter be added to the list of missing. Such is the impression af- ter visiting the London to-day, and elicing nor- nation from those who were on board. The lights ofthe Kent were seen and recognized approaching six miles off, yet strange to say no efforts were made to avoid collision until it was to late. Both boats kept on their course until within short dis tance ot each other when the Kent suddenly shear ed across the bow of the London and although the engine of the latter was stopped, was struck with immense force, on the starboard side, little for ward the wheel. l.house. Immediately she began to settle down and finally sunk in nfathoms water, some ten miles from shore. So sudden was the | shock that scarcely any of those on board the K were able to secure their luggage-all went down with the boat
 "Both these boats belong in Canada. The Kent ] was of small dimensions, 1S0 tons, and built at Chatham in 1S39."
 Dpn'b ef Hon. Samuel c. W,ight.-We an. nounce with sorrow this afternoon the death of the Hon. Samuel G. Wright, the Representative.elect 1 Wright died on Wednesday evening, the 30th ult., at his residence in Allentown, Monmouth County, l after long and distressing illness.
 This makes another vacancy in the next Con- gress, which must be supplied at special election to be appointed by the Governor. Judge Wright | vember last, in the 2d district, (Monmouth and Burlington countes,) by majority of 40 votes 1 over Hon. Geo. Sykes, the late Representative
 .Ne,oark, W L .Advertiser.
 Salpetre srM not Erplode!-Th Committee ] of the Common Council appointed to investigate | the cause of the explosion at Crocker S Warren's 1 store. Broad. street, which was t'e principal cause of the late disastrous conagration, repaired to Mott vile, on the Westcheser Co side of the bridge yes- terday, accompanied by several eminent professors and other gentlemen, to test the question whether or not saltpetre will explode. Three experiments were tried, the result of which was an unanimous opinion. we understand, that saipetre aciH not er- piOde. The first test quantity of saltpetre in a bag to which fire was applied. The saltpetre and bag burned fercely. but there was explosion. The second experiment was hogshead full of salt petre slightly intermiXed with bagging and other combusibe matter known to have been in the store ofC. & w. The hogshead was partially in the ground and shavings and other combustibles placed around it and set fire to. The result was the same as the first. The third was with large boiler over furnace heated exceedingly hot, and containing large quantity Of red hot melted salt. pere. Into this cauldron of melted satpetre three bags of saltpetre and slight combustible material were thrown. The heat was exceedingly great, but still no explosion. Thls seems to settle the question.
 We may add that in each instance hard sub. stance was left by the burning sapetre resembling potash in appearance and having an extraordinary strong salt taste.-Iribtsnc.
 The Deia,cdre .Muder. Application has been made to the State Authorities. by the Sheriff of Delaware county for advice and assistance in rela- ton to the murder of Deputy Sheriff Steele. It is | unfortunate that the Governor. Lieutenant Cover nor and AdJutant General are all absent from town. 1 The Sheriff of Delaware county has called out force of 500 men to assist him in maintaining the laws. They can do but little in such case as 1 this.
 The Burgesses Corps and Emmet Guards have been reported to the Aduan, Generals Depart ment as ready for service if required.