The southern press., 1851-03-29
PITrsBURGH, March 26, 1851.

PARTICULARS or THE SINKING OF THE STEAM
Err LowELI~-FHIEEn LIVES LOST, &c.-We
Yesterday received from gentleman who was
present ut the dreadful s.ene attending the col
lision between tho steamers Lowell and $. r.
Vnton, both of which were at the tune heavily
laden, the following particulars - The accident
took place near Captain Island. ten miles below
Wheeling at about halt. past ten o'clock at night.
The night was very dark and as soon as the pi-
lots Of the boats perceived each other, the bells
were tapped, but through some unfortunate mis-
take or accident the Lowell ran across the bow
Of the Vnton, which struck her aft of her boil
ers. The force Of the concussion was tremen-
dous. The Vinton was large boat carrying
about nine hundred tons, and had probably the
strongest hull Of any boat on the river. The
Lowell sank in about thirty seconds after the
collision. The cabin was parted from the hull
and left floating.
Her cabin passengers and crew escaped, many
of them in their night clothes, TO the top of the
hurricane deck.
The first engineer, two fremen, and twelve
deck passengers, were drowned.
The names of the firemen and deck passen-
gers are unknown, they having been taken on
board at Pittsburgh and the clerk not having
entered their names on the register.
A large family, consisting of man. his wife,
and children, from Bedford, Pa, on their way
West, were among those who perished
The captain Of the Vinton Immediately or
dered that the boat be stopped, and he then
towed the wreck of the Lowells cabin to the
shore, whore everything that could contribute to
the comfort of those saved, was done.
After some time, the steamer Messenger No.
2, came aon gsde, and Captain Fisher, of the NJ
kindly took II number Of passengers on his boat
to Cincinnati
Joseph b. McKeoun, the first engineer who
was drowned, leaves wife and seven children
residing in Allegheny. He was not the regular
engineer but had taken the place of Mr.. Ed
ward b. Barton, who was attacked by illness,
just as the Lowell was backing out from the
wharf at Pittsburgh. Mr.. McK's loss will be
deeply lamented by his brother engineers, among
| whom he occupied high position.
| David Evans, carpenter, and part owner Of the
boat, made very narrow escape. The cabin
| soon sunk to the hurricane deck, and Mr. f. was
caught underneath it, but he managed, however,
to make his situation known to those on top the
deck, by knocking against it. Whereupon a
hole was cut through,an he was released, though
he had been so long in the water that he was
| neatly chilled to death.
| Harrison Mason, the clerk, who owned three
eigths of the boat, was insured for s. 200 in the
Citizens Insurance Company.
| Edward Is. Barton, who owned one-eighth,
bad nm insurance Of $500 on his share in the
Western company.
Captains Force, Rogers, and Evans, the re-
naming owners, had no insurance
Tho cargo consisting of iron, nails, cotton
yarn, and dry goods, was shipped principally by
Hardy, Jones g. Co., of Pittsburg, and was fully
insured in the North American, Firemen's, Wes-
tern, and Citizens insurance offices.
The hull of the boat lies in about thirty feet
water. The engines will be saved, also tie
cabin furniture, and large portion of the dry
goods, though in damaged state.