The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-15
Burninx OF the orIine So. John.

We publish such further intelligence as hal
reached by mail Of the late dreadful disaster OF
the Alabama river
From the Montgomery Journal, March 8.
The ST.. JoHs.-The burning of the ST. John, with
the accompanying loss OF fe is the disastrous
casualty which has occurred on our waters since
the bursting Of the boilers Of the Ben. Franklin
The scenes, say the passengers, were terrific. The
ladies and children, IL is also said, might have been
saved from the stern of the boat. except from the
hasty and insubordinate conduct of some of the
crew, in taking off the yawl some distance down the
stream, where they landed, as in their haste they
had neglected to take oars. The captain, when he
found the yaw, had much difficulty in reaching
the boat, and could not do so in time to save the
ladies. He, however, rescued six persons who were
clinging to the rudder. The engineer remained at
his post in the midst of the fire, although severely
burned, until the boat struck the Shore he then had
the precauon to raise the safety valve and stop the
engine, which saved many who were floating from
being swept into the current and drowned. Mr..
Carson was lost in endeavoring to save his son.
Judge Lindsey was not seen after the boat landed.
The ladies remained at the stern of the boat until
their clothing was nearly consumed, and were then
forced to spring into the river.
passenger described to US the instantaneous
spread of the flames, "as rapid fire in dry shuck
pen, or dry grass prairie''-in three minutes the
cabin had fallen in. The destruction of boat in
broad day light on the Alabama river, by IL fate 80
instantaneous, and with such heavy loss of life,
seems as unaccountable as II is melancholy.
II will materially weaken the public confidence
in the security of such conveyances. We learn
there policy of thirty thousand dollars nsu-
rance on the boat. A passenger, in letter in an
other column, gives further details of this sad
lamity.
BunsINa OF THE ORLrNE ST.. JoHr BY some OF
the passengers of the Emperor we learn some de-
tails OF the melancholy disaster to the Orline st.
John in addition to the account given yesterday
morning. 1t appears that the fire caught among
some lightwood, a large pile Of which was under
and adjacent to the boilers The mass had be-
come heated to such extent as to evolve the COM
bustble gas Of the turpcntine in large quantities,
which at the moment of ignition covered the whole
front OF the boat with the flames. The order was
instantly given to land the boat, but rapid and
fierce were the flames, that the tiller ropes were
burned before the shore was reached. As the boat
reached the bank, many Of the passengers leaped
into the water-some of them were saved, some of
them were drowned, and others crushed by the
guards. 1t was found impossible to reach the cabin,
as the stern of the boat swung into the ercam and
all access was cut off from the boat by the fire,
The ladies and other passengers In that quarter
OF the boat were forced to throw themselves into
the river. From the distance from the shore, few
Of them were saved. The clerk (Mr. Meacher)
| reached Mrs. Hall, and made most strenuous exer-
tons to save her. She had her daughter in her
| arms, and the great weight of both, and the pow
erful current, made it Impossible for Meacher to
reach the shore thus encountered. As il was, ow-
ing to his exhaustion, he was only saved by the
| efforts of his brother,
The only article saved trunk Of Col. Pres
! toms, secured by his servant. There was num-
Der of returned Caliornans on board who lost their
all. Col Price, U. S. agent from California, lost
| his baggage, with which were two hundred and
| fifty thousand dollars belonging to the Govern
ment. A gentleman informs that one Of the
drowning passengers caught him by the coat as he
was swimming, and bore him under the water and
that TO get clear of his grasp he was obliged,
! by powerful effort, to throw off his coat, and
leave it in his hands: the man perished. CO.
lionel J. Preston describes the scene terrific,
and that minute two elapsed until the boat
was completely enveloped in flames. The passen.
gers speak in high terms of the conduct Of Captain
Meagher and his aficers. In addition the list OF
casualties below, we learn that MIR. Maui, clerk OF
the Farmer and returned Californian, were
very seriously injured. F. II. Brooks, Of Mobile,
rumored in dispatches last night lost, is saved
having landed at distance down the river.
In addition TO the money lost by Mr.. Price. We
hear of D 900 by n Me- holland, and large sum
by Mr. Schmidt large portion of the sum in
charge of Mr.. Price in gold dust in the safe
and may be recovered
! The register of passengers was lost We are
furnished, however, by the clerk of the boat with
list of the casualties. az far as ascertained.
LosT-Mrs. Hall and daughter, (supposed) Of
Augusta, Ca; Mrs. Vaughan, Miss Vaughan, Mrs
Mccain, Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Wright, and one or two
others; Messrs. Mccain, S. CT It. b. Carson anc
son, Of Dallas county, Judge Lindsay, of Mobile
Thomas Stephens, (printer,) of Camden; fou
others, names unknown; Hugh Hughs, I'd mate
Peter, (steward;) Easter, (chambermaid;) I'd cook
and eight negroes.
sAvED.--All the crew, with the exception of tn
Cd mate.