Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-22
Burning of the Steamboat Sea Bird
Explosion of Twele Hundred kegs
of Pcwder-its effects.

of Pcwder-its effects.
The steamer Declaration arrived at this
port yesterday from the Ohio, bringing the
first news of the burning of the steamer Sea
Bird, at Cape Girardeau, and of the explo-
sion of twelve hundred kegs of powder,
slowed in the hold of that vessel The fol-
lowing particulars are contained in slip
from the Cape Girardeau Eagle of We'd
nesday last:-St. Louis Repu5
The steamer Sea Bird arrived here last
Sunday moraing, from New Orleans. Ar
ter putting ont parcel OF fsieght, and find
ing the water too low to proceed on bert trip
to St. Louis, she dropped down about half
a mile below the landing, and tied up, IN
tending to wait for rise. She had large
lot of freight on board, including between
eleven and twelve hundred kegs of powder.
About s O'Clock last night there was an
alarm of fire. 1t was soon ascertained that
the Sea Bird was burning. Ii commenced
| in the ladies' cabin, and had made such
headway that it was found impossible to ar
rest ii. An attempt to scuttle her proved
unsuccessful Capt. McMutry and some
of his hands started Off TO apprlse the citi-
Gems in the vicinity Of their danger, and Sc
cure their own safety. About an hour after
the fire commenced the powder exploded,
causing the most tremendous and terrific
noise that was ever heard in this section of
country.
The conclusion caused an almost univer-
sal Earring of houses and crashing OF win
Edows. causing many who were unacquaint-
ed with the cause. to conclude that it was
terrible earthquake, and others supposed
that the day of Judgment had come, certain.
The damage done to windows and doors of
houses. in many Instances, is immense
The College building. situated only about
one hundred and fifty yards distant, was
much injured. The windows fronting the
river were all destroyed; several ofthe doors
were blown off and broken; much OF the
plastering thrown down, md the furniture
much damaged; supposed to he $500 The
fine new brick building of MIR. b. nj. Hor-
irell. situated near the river, is considerably
injured. The Baptist and Methodist church
es have lost nearly all their panes OF glass,
and number of the sash are broken; every
house has been more or less injured, butwc
are pleased to state that no person is ser-
ouslv hurt. Fragments of the boat, iron
and wood, were scattered in almost every
direction, but fortunately not one of them
fell or any house. The large iron cable
was blown into pieces, and piece contain
ing many links, was found some two hun
bred wards distant.
The tremendous shock would have pros
trated several houses, we have no doubt,
land done much greater injury. but it was
broken hy bluff near which the boat lay.
I Capt. McMurty supposed the fire was an
accident, as there were two men ON the
watch at the time it was discovered. The
boat was partly insured.
Cant. McMurty deserves much credit for
his precaution in sending runners and going
among the citizens himself, informing them
of the powder on board. He informed MS,
day or two ago, of the quantity ofpowder
on board, and on account of the danger of
the citizens in the event Of an explosion, he
dropned down below. We regret the loss
which the Captain has sustained by this
misfortune, as we know him to be a worthy
and enterprising man, and deserves better
luck. He was lying in his berth asleep,
when the fire was dicovered.
The report Of the explosion was distinctly
heard at Cairo, distance of some forty
miles.
Fragments of the boat, chains, anchors
and boilers, are found in every direction
some upon the opposite bank of the river.