The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-10-02
From the Shawneetown Argus-Exua, sept q
STEAMBOAT EXPLOSlON-GREAT LOSS
OF LIFE.

From The Shawneetown Argus-Extra, Sept q.
STEAMBOAT EXPLoSlON-GREAT LOSS
/ OF LIFE.
II il our meIaucholy duty TO record one
of the most shocking and dreadful disasters
that we ever witnessed.
The steamboat yanas- Isskson, capt
Patterson, on her downward trip, IRON
Louisville to Cairo, heavily ladened and
crowded with passengers, touched at our
wharf this morning at 8 O'Clock to DIS
charge some freight, aud take on lew
passengers. After remaining at the wharf
| for some time she rounded out, and just
reached The lower end Of our town, when
the boilers exploded, scattering death and
destruction in every direction.
Wo have no means Of nscertaInng Inc
extent OF the destruction Of human life, but
Iron the crowded condition Of tho passen-
gers, and the few who have been saved
iron the dreadful wreck, the loss musl
have been immense.
The steamer Cumberland -XAlsy was
short distance ahead Of the James Jackson.
when the disaster occurred; she immediate
lly turned back, and rendered all the assls-
lance in her power TO the surviving suffer.
lers. Too much praise cannot be awarded
Ito her gentlemanly officers and their gal.
liant crew. Mr.. Cockrell's Horse Boat was
10 prompt requisi,ion, and did good service
in saving the sufferers, and conveying them
up to the wharf.
Our citizens, of all classes, sexes, and
colors. were in immediate attendance, rem
dering every assistance In their power 10
amel:orate the dreadful condition of the
sufferers. Mr.. Hazen's Iarge hotel wns
rendered gratuitousiy TO the distressed and
suffering, by.its kind and hospi,able pro-
prietor, and 10 now crowded with the
wounded and Diving. Our physicians were
all prompt and efficient in their attention
to the wounded strangers. The shocking
disaster could no, have occurred at any
place where the sufferers would have re
ceiyed more kind aud efficient attention,
than has been bestowed upon them by our
hum.ne and hospitabe citizens.
We learn that many Of them have been
taken 10 private houses, and are receiving
every possible attention. We Witnessed
some scenes of peculiarly distressing ma
ture: An old lady, Mrs. Green, sister to
Nr. Ellis, hotel keeper e. this place, and
her little son. wha hal been here on vs
il, embarked aboard the if-iAted steamer
ew moments before the disaster, N return
Is their distant hpma in Texa. The lad.
vas instantly killed and her little son NOR
,alIv wounded. A Mrs. Gemmen, from
Louisville, was found dead, with sinai
.hli in her srms. which hid shared The
same iate. BIT We csnna, delHii the hor
aid scenes The cabin and machinery ei
the bost is a total wreck. The hall was
towed ashore hg the Cumberland Valley
I've give below a list Of the killed and
wounded as far nsccrta,ned.
There is doubtless a great number of
persons lost who will never he founn unvf-
The waters give up their dead. 4 great
many trunks containing psPers. clothing,
&C., have been taken from The wreck, and
o,hers rescued from the waterfall are Ia
ken care Of aud are safe.
LIST OF KILLED.
Capt. Walker, Arkansas.
Capt. Holmes, Na,chez.
Margaret Green. Austin, Texas.
DR.. VIM. Hood, Georgetown, KY.
Mr.. Sisk, residence unknown.
Mary Gemmen and child, Louisville, Ky.
Number Of killed Z.
THE list Of wounded, thirty five in num-
Der we omit. With the exception Of Danl.
Marshall. of McLanesboro', H., they were
all from Mississippi aud Louisiana.