The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-21
From hs Buffalo Express, June is.
Turning of the Steamboat Il, u. Griffith.

We learn from Cleveland that the steamer Crit
fifth, Captain Roby, which left here on Sunday
morning last, for Toledo, with over two hundred
passengers, mostly emigrants on board, was burned,
between three and four o'clock on Monday morn
ing, 10 the waters edge, destroying the lives Of
some two hundred persons. She was within twenty
miles Of Cleveland when the fire originated Cap
tain Ruby and family, regret 10 learn, are
among the lost The mate swan on shore and
Ieachcd Cleveland for assistance. lie reports about
thirty saved in all We hope TO have fuller partic
ulars before we go TO press. The Griffith was a
new boat, of medium dimensions and OF excellent
character with the travelling public. She had just
been purchased by Captain Roby, worthy officer
who had entered in command of her. This We
think was his first trip and il has proved OF dread
ful fatality to himself and interesting family, all
of whom fell victims to the fire or flood.
Up 10 four O'Clock yesterday afternoon could
obtain no farther particulars, except that the pro-
peer Delaware bad been TO the wreck, and that
the probable loss of life would reach two hundred
and sixty.
Franklin Hcih, formerly of this city, was on
board with his family. His brother, James Heth,
of this city, last evening received Geographic de
spatch from him, dated at Ashtabula, Ohio, from
which make the following extract
"My wife and four children ard drowned! Will
be in Buffalo TO morrow morning. Have the bodies
with me-"
The boat was insured in this city for S27 49, as
follows In the Astor company, New York, sc, 1000;
North Western, $1,000; Buffalo Mutual, 5000;
Buffalo Merchants Mutual, $4,000; Lexington,
- .
BY e. Spencer, Of Ashtabula, who passcn-
ger the Griffith, we lsarn the following: saved
myself by swimming ashore There three
hundred passengers on board, and out of that num-
Der fifty only were saved The steamer about
three 1Ourths Of mile from shore when che was
abandoned, aud fifteen miles east Of Cleveland.
The fire supposed TO have originated from the
boilers the furnace.
The passengers we're thick around the boat, and
great many that could not swim would hold on
60 othcrs. and drown them well as themselves.
II a sorrowlu and heart rending scene. The
manner la which got out Of their way was by
Jumping about twenty feet into the water, and
took directly out into the lake, and then swan up
little distance get out OF tho reach Of Others and
60 prevent them pulling me down. then swan
for the shore.
There were about FIVE thousand people shore
when reached il, from Cleveland, Willoughby,
Painsvillc, and Fairport.
ERIE-l0 o'clock, y. m.
Steamboat Troy Just in, and are indebted
to the clerk for the following additional
Lost.-Captain Roby, wiic and daughter; Mi
chacl Juno, ID engineer; MIR Mann, whcelsman;
Tmcy, LIST porter; Tium and Paudng, saloon
keepers; wife and children of VIM. Tincom; ". =.
Parks, of Beaver, Pa; G.. Leonard, porter; ID. We
her, waiter; Mrs. Wilkinson and daughters Of j.
Champion.
In ALL about $50 lost-I5O Of whom were lying
upon the beach the scene of the disaster when
the Troy left.
Known TO be saved, about lO-among whom are
Mr.. Stebbns, the lst engineer; the clerk, William
TincOn, and Franklin Heth.
The Troy has nine dead bodies ON board