The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-17
THE Loss OF THE BELLE ZANE.

The LOSS OF THE BELLE ZANE.
IL was announced week or so ago that tie Belle
Zane was lost on the Mississippi, and that some
'ony persons had been lost No further particulars
oil the distressing accident have appeared IN the
western or southern papers We find in the New
York Telegraph the following letter from the veneer
able and much esteemed Rev. Dr. Maclay, Of New
York, who was board the Inflated steamer Belle
Zane at the time she was lost. The reverend gen
uemsn is the father of the Hon. Wm. b Maclay
representative in Congress from that city, to whom
the letter Is directed. This il the second instance
IN which the doctor has been most wonderfully pre-
served:
Nav oRLEAEs, Dec. 20, ls45.
Mr. DEAR soE Knowing how deeply anxious you
must feel 10 hear from me, in consequence of nv
having taken passage IN the steamer Belle Zane for
New orleans, which vessel sDsgged IN the Missis-
sippl nver, and out Of one hundred and twenty-five
passengers on board, sXty-hye lost their lives |
hasten TO communicate 10 you AN account of the
disaster. The steamer Belle Zane of ZanesyiIe
Ohio, len that place for New Orleans she ran ON a
snag ON the 18th instant about o'clock in the morn.
ing, hive miles below the mouth of White river
and about fifteen above the mouth of Arkansas
river ....
Nearly all the passengers were asleep at the time
she struck upon the snag, which went completely
through her bottom. She careened first ON the one
side and then the other, the boilers rolled of which
nghted her tis, and the vessel then went complete
ly over on her side and filed with water. | was
asleep when she struck, but reused by the shock
and the rolling ofthe empty barrels on the hurricane
deck into the river. | instantly sprang from my
berth Ihe vessel gave heavy lurch, the water
rushing IN, al the same time, up to my cheat.
struggled across the cabin floor and, aided by the
handle of the door between the ladies' cabin and
ours, reached the state room on the opposite side
of the boat and, as both doors were proyidentally
open, passed through them 70 the outside; the
boat was then on her beam ends. The scene was
truly awful, the night intensely cold and those
who bad escaped immediate death were clustered 10.
gather on the wreck, destitute OF clothing, barehsad.
ed, and barefooted; the hurricane-deck separated
from The cabin, and the captain and four others
doaied ashore on it, Three OF these were frozen 10
death.
The hull of the boat became detached from the
cabin and turned bottom up; fifteen Of the passen-
gers climbed upon the hull, and were saved. Some
Of the Passengers chung to the side of the cabin and
were taken OF by a small boat. hoated with 9th
ers on portion OF the wreck about ten miles down
the river, near Napoleon at the mouth Of the Ar.
kansas river. From some Of the berths, which con-
stituied portion Of the wreck we were on few
quilts were obtained. ! gave mattress, which
had procured, 20 Mr.. Chapman, who had the child
'f Captain Hins in his arms. put the mattress
over him and the child. With some difficulty OBJ
aimed another, but planter from Kentucky, whose
name, think, was Burns suffered excessively from
The cold, and being In danger Of freezing to death
gave up TO him the second mattress remained AZ
boats crew, who had reached the shore, OBJ
aimed small boat, aud came 10 our re-
'ef. The ladies were very properly first taken from
he wreck. was brought TO the shore with Mr..
Burns, the planter before mentioned who had suf-
cred SO much from the cold. Almost the instant
we had reached the shore, he gave one groan and
expired. Col. Riyes, a relative of Mr. Riyes Of
w ashington, on board of the steamer, and was
he first that reached the shore. He possesses
great energy of character, and was exceedingly kind
and attentive 10 aud the rest of the passengers.
He travelled along the shore through the woods
number OF miles, obtained Il small boat, and came
10 the wreck as the last of the passengers were
aiken off,
We walked about mile TO the house Of Mr..
Cook, an oyerseer to Mr.. Hubbard of Napoleon, by
whom were received and treated with the utmost
kindness. Judge Sutton and other citizens came
from Napoleon and tendered us every assistance
hat our wants required. The captain states that
here were lbs passengers; IS were lost, of the
number were frozen IN death, | attribute my pow
terrible night, to my constitution aud temperate
habits. I have lost my watch, money, clothing,
&C., but my life has been graciousIy spared.
During the four hours was on the wreck, ! sne1t
Of the time in mental prayer, and was resigned
and composed. ] would with gratitude rase snoth,'
Ebenezer and say, "hitherto hath H., Lord helped
me; what shall | render unto God { all his mer- 4
cies towards me-" am at the house Of Cornelius
Pauldng, esq, who has always exhibited towards
me much kindness and Christian sympathy and
has, If possible, on this occasion manifested more
kindness to me than ever. Write to mo- and direct
to hio his care. Your affectionate father,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
WV. B. MAcLAr.