Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-06-19
A NOBLE DEED.


On the night of The 2sth Of January last Capt MoSRoE
uARRIEH, of the steamer Jes He,o performed an act
which, in genuine herosm and humanity has rarely
been equalled The facts are these
The steamboat Tuscaloosa left Mobile on that evening after
dark bound for Tuscaloosa After proceeding ten miles
up the of her boilers exploded causing the death of
several of the officers, crew, and passengers After the ex
poson the boat swung round and grounded with her
nearly in the middle of the river when she discovered to
be on fire The ladies sent ashore in the yawl while
those OF the male passengers who unnjured undertook
the construction oil temporary raft which they managed
to proceed toward the shore but owing the high stage Of
the water the banks and surrounding country being complete
y overaowed they unable to get dry land Some
climbed trees, while the others remained in water cons
deabe depth The night black tempesuous, and cold
and there habaions which The passengers could
escape The only chance of relief from passing
boat for all would have persisted compelled remain many
hours in the water upon such night After being exposed
to all the horrors of the for about three hours
boat hove sight She proved to be the James Heo
der the command Of Capt QuARRIER. The sufferers
rescued from their peril, and the Hewitt their
were carefully attended TO.
Any other boat which might have happened to be passing
the time would doubtless have rescued the sufferers but,
what makes Capt QuAnnIERs conduct deserving Of
gard s that he at much hazard sought them His boat
boat lying at the wharf at Mobile, and he asleep
when hand, who watch came to him, awakened
him. and informed him that there fire in the distance.
teuaer Immediately ana he discover
ed the distant freight he felt prompted by irresistible inn
pulse proceed toward it. He ordered the fires be kind
led and steam TO be got up Some Of his officers
ted with him, and explained the hazard that he would
at such mc and the fact that he would forfeit the
insurance his He disregaded all such prudential
considerations, and The boat got ready and
her way up the river her errsnd Of mercy When she
within sight Of the wreck of the Tuscaloosa ashek
from the sufferers the raging elements, which all
board the Hewitt speak of being unlike any sounds they
ever before heard The sufferers taken board
possible, and all felt assured that they
ton where there likelihood that the claims of human
ty would be unattended After all safe and comfort
able, the Hewitt returned to Mobile.
This Of humanity performed under such circumstances
produced the lvees feelings Of admiration throughout that
section of the country 1t undertaken and accomplished
by Capt Quarter without any thought Of recompense
that which springs from the consciousness of having done
noble deed reward which, though lightly esteemed by in
eror souls properly appreciated the highest by those
hearts which capable of feeling such Yet the
sufferers and their friends and the public generally resolved
that such deed deserved than cold and
acknowledgement of thankfuness and gratitude The Hewitt
since has been hronged with passengers and crowded
with freight and her hearted commander is by far the
most popular Of all officers In addition to such tokens of
respect and admiration, Capt Quarter has received many
beautiful and costly presents Some of these have had
the pleasure of SEEING and they admirably adapted
their purpose Among these presents is walking
the head of which is the inscription, g
HAVE TO SAVE ONE LIFE, which is the Capt Quar-
rer when his officers tried to dssuade him from his be
nevoen purpose by representing the hazard which he
suhecng his property He also presented with silver
waiter and two silver tunbes by the surviving passengers OF
the Tuscaloosa whom he saved The citizens Of Tuscaloosa
presented him with elegant gold medal properly inscribed
and illustrated The citizens Of Demopos gave him large
and magnificent silver pitcher, beautifully chased and emhe
lished. The citizens of Mobile having
superb service of silver cost fifteen hundred dollars which
to be presented TO him. Many other gifts have been and
are TO be made TO him.
These manifestations of the public regard for of he
and mercy do honor the donars well the Iec
pent They prove that hero the cause Of humanity has
his grateful admirers and that's noble deed will fail re-
ceve worldly reward. We hope that other comman
ders of boats taking counsel of their better nature may be
inspired with spirit similar which prompted Captain
Quarter and, whenever occasion offers, and do likewise
Loui,rWe Journal