The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-11
Burning OF the orllne st. John.

In the Mobile Register we find the following de-
tails, written by who was on board Of the boat
Dear Sir-At your request relate TO you as
many Of the circumstances attending the recent loss
Of the steamboat Orline st. John just now Occur
TO my recollection. About half-past or . oclock
on Tuesday evening, March 9th, the alarm Of fire
was given the boat being then about three miles
above Bridgeport, her passage up the river
Some thirty or forty cords pitch pine had been
taken on board short time before, between the
piles ot which doubtless some sparks found their
way and kindled into flames before the fact was
discovered. So rapid was the spread Of the FIRE.
that notwithstanding the commendable presence Of
mind on the part OF the pilot in steering the boat
toward the shore the moment he became aware of
the disaster, there were but few persons able 10
make their escape over the bow OF the boat The
forward staircase was snyeloped in flames aud
the wind drove the flames and smoke in suliocating
volumes att. Thus it was that so many persons
found themselves compelled to leap from the stern
into the current Of the river where, perhaps il
with as great rapidty as in any portion Of its
From the information can gather and my own
recollection, | suppose there were seven ladies in
the cabin and four five children, not one OF whom
was saved, Their agonizing prayers and shrieks
are yet ringing in the Of all who heard them.
One mother placed her child upon a mattress and
vainly endeavored TO breast with it the resistIess
stream, but though aided eventually by the praise
worthy exertions of the chief mate, she and The
object of her final struggles were soon buried be-
meath the waters. A father (Mr. Thomas CARSON
drowned in his fruitless efforts to save his son.
though encouraged in his failing exertions by the
heroic boy. woman, the wife of deck passen-
ger. 1t is said, on her knees enveloped in
flames, but observed subsequently to cast her
sell from the burning wreck. -Four persons were
saved by askif after having aoated down to Bridge
port on boards and barrels, and five Others two
three miles beow-the last after the shades OF night
had hprPd thepn and exh xhaucfad ntrtu nd
and cramped, they had given up all hopes Of rescue
should suppose from what have heard that from
twenty-five to forty persons have perished. large
quantity of California gold dust, ingots and coin,
lost IN the trunks OF the passengers, and large
amount of money and treasure was deposited in the
strong box of which latter there is some reasonable
hope OF recovery. So delightful and all-absorbing
is the consideration Of rescued existence that those
who have in this fatal accident lost all the rewards
OF life of toll, have received with cheerfulness
the congratulaton of their friends, and, deprived
| even oil necessary clothing, have proceeded with
thankfuness to their families and friends. That
model Of American gentlemen, Col. Preston, o
! South Carolina, will, perhaps, not pardon my OBJ
truding his name before the public in recording his
noble proters OF his prncey purse to the destitute
sufferers. The neighbors, Judge Bridges and Mr.
Pettiway, also deserve the most honorable mention
for the liberal manner in which their hosptaltie,
| were dispensed. The captain of the boat will no
| be denied the sympathy OF the public in this hi
terrible misfortune not only because he was in NJ
respect responsible for the occurrence, bni inasmucl
he felt it like child and endeavered to arrest
| as officer and a man. II.
| The following card is published in the Mont
gomery papers of the Sth inst.
A CARD.-The undersigned surviving passen
gers of the terrible catastrophe by fire of the steame
Orline St John, which occurred on the 9th inst.
| at half past p. NJ deem il duty to state thus
publicly thai not the slightest imputation Of blame
be attached to the Captain and Officers Of the
vessel On the contrary, they cannot too highly
| commend the devoted courage and energy with
which Capt Meaher; principal clerk, Mr.. Delany
| and Mr.. Burns Meaher, mate, gave themselves tC
| aid in rescuing those who in danger To tn,
| cool and active exertions Of these officers many
| the undersigned indebted, under God, for tn,
preservation of their lives. Much also is due 10 h
decision and promptitude of the pilot, Mr., Benjamin
Pearce, in running the boat ashore at the earlies
possible moment.
The undersigned also beg to tender to Judg,
Bridges, OF Wilcox county, MIR. w. McRae, G
Bridgeport Mr.. Pettiway, Mr.. Roach and Nj
Estis, their thanks for their kind and considerat
hospitality during their distress. And the under
signed deem it act OF justice, most cheertuy an
gratefully accorded to notice the noble conduct
Abram slave of Judge Bridges, who, at inlinit
peril and labor, rescued nine persons floating in tn
river several miles below the wreck. Such an ac
of heroism, in all its details, has rarely been vii
of all humane persons, beside those who have re
ceived the highest testimonials for the voluntar
| preservation OF human life.
We also return our hearty thanks to Capt. ].
Cox and s. w. Casse, and the officers OF the steam
er Emperor, for their active attention in receiyin
us on their vessel-their liberality in offering us
free passage, and distributing clothing and conduc
| ing in every way to com(ort-and we recon
mendthis fine and admirably conducted vessel t
the travelling public.
| B. G, SHAW, New York, r. EsrERBRouK, n. o..
| !. w. PREsToN, S. c., &. l.. SCHooNNAKER,
! JoHN W EST, Ga, JOIN J. FRAZER, :. G.,
IoHN NJ. SOULE, ID. w. SCHMIDT, >. G.,
| j. ID. LUCAS Sumter CO., L. BASS, New York,
A. G. HODGEs, N. o., J. r. GoREE, Mobile,
THOs. CARGILL, ]. H. HUDsON,
JOnN {. STEELE.
PASSENGERS LosT.-Mrs. Hall and daughte
OF Augusta, Ga; Mrs. and M IS Vaughan, an
Mrs. Mccain, S. c.; Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Wrigh
two other ladies' and two children names unknown
Messrs. L. B. Carson and Son, Dallas CO; Thon
as Stevens, printer, Camden Judge Lindsay, Nj
bile Hugh Hughes, second mate, Mobile Pet
Upson, (steward) and wife, Mobile Second COO
two white deck hands and eight negroes-some te
Or twelve other cabin passengers, names unknow
Edward Maui, second clerk of the Farmer and