Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-09
Terrible Disaster 10 Lives Lost.

The fine large steamer Maria, on her
way up for New Orleans to st. Louis, was
run into by the Sultana, below Natchez,
and almost instantly sunk. The loss of
life has been very great though the extent
is not precisely ascertained. The following
letter from the clerk of the Talma to the
Louisville Courier, contains all the partic-
ulars we have:
DBAR SlR:-On Saturday, 2lst inst,
near two o'clock, A, M, seven or eight
miles below Natchez, the steamer Maria
ascending, and steamer Sultana descending
came in contact, sinking the former imme-
diately, in not less than three fathoms wa
ter. The shock was most terrible-dis-
placing her boilers, bursting her steam.
pipes, and creating the most dreadful hav-
oc among her crew; consisting, 1--WE learn
from her second clerk, of ffty-lwo men,
not including her officers and servants, out
of which number 12 or IA escaped, 25 to
80 dangerously scalded, balance missing
together with her first clerk, Mr.. James R.
burst, and third engineer, name unknown.
She had no deck passengers, and but few
cabin, all Of whom were probably saved,
with most Of their baggage.
j There were only two females on board,
Mrs. DR.. Mead, Of St. Louis, and Mrs. J.
G.. Lonsdale and family. Those ladies
: certainly displayed great presence of mind,
0 especially Mrs. L., who prudently closed
!, her doors to protect herself and children
:. from the steam. The Talma being almost
?. instantly alongside, they were safely con.
n Quoted on board.
!, The wounded were brought on board O
Il US in sheets and mattresses, and arranget
N in our cabin. Their shrieks were heart
rending; their agonies cannot be described
n. horrible to witness. Yet everything
c. was done by the officers Of the Maria, Sui
is tana and Talma to render them as com
o? Portable as circumstances would admit
ly Drs. Meade and Saunders, and more pal
at ticularly Mr.. Samuel Hyman, of Louis
vile, were very efficient in dressing thei
ne wounds and endeavoring to relieve thei
p- sufferings. Capt Hite, (of Talma, re
SO mained along side as long as he could b
be Of any service, and did mot leave until a
ter consulting if more could be done. The
ct running up u 1NdtCneZ, we tneIe lelt vi
is afflicted, twenty-five in number, in charg
is of the physician Of the hospital.
The Sultana was injured and suppose
he TO be in sinking condition when we left
We With regard TO the accident-whic
at boat-if either, or both-were or were nc
nd in fault, | am unable TO speak.
ur 1t was truly an unfortunate affair. CaT
ry tain Pease, am informed, did all he coul
IN to save life. After the boats struck he Us
8. ed every exertion with his boat to tow o
"A rather push the Maria out upon the bar.
IL 1t is very probable that but few, if any
Is Of the number injured will survive.
Very respectfully, yours,
n J. NJ. MARTIN,
"a Clerk S. B. Talma.
81 :, Since the above was in type, the Queer
" of the West came up from below. Wher
, she passed the wreck Of the Maria, 20 bod
: les had been found, and % more ascertain
. ed to be missing, mostly the crew.
= bulk head had been fitted on the Sui
. tana, and she had proceeded to New Or