The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-03
Prom the N n D1iIu Ea1uiys,.

| n. i
| A. Kidd, one of the editors of the New Orleans
Crescent who was on the Anglo Norman, and
reported killed by the explosion of that boat
| furnishes the following account Of his mracu.
ous escape from death. After giving nara
tive of the excursion up to about the time of the
explosion, and stating that he was on the hurri-
cane deck, he goes on to say:
Mr.. Bigny Zone of the editors of the Dehal
and myself took the only two chairs remaining
unoccupied on the deck, and placed them, his
with his back to the pilot-hOuse, and mine with
its back to the chimney. 1t will be seen at once
that we seated ourselves Immediately over the
monster boiler Of the boat.
We had been but a very few minutes engaged
in conversation, when q Jet of hot water accom-
panied by steam, was forced out of the main pipe
Just aft the chimney, and fell in a considerable
shower near u.s. ] had not before noticed any
thing of the kind and thought it very strange.
was just about remarking this to Mr.. Bigny,
when was suddenly lifted high into the air,
know not to what distance. have distinct
recollection of passing rather irregularly, though
the air, enveloped, it seemed to me, by an i'm
penetrable cloud. There was sufficient lapse
of time for me to have distinct impression upon
my mind that | was inevitably lost In what
position entered the water and what depth
L L
arose TO the surface, wiped the water from my
face, and endeavored to get view of things
about me, which was prevented from doing by
the vapor of steam which enveoped everything
rs cloud. This, however, was, in a short time,
DISAPPEARED, and | then had clear conception
of my situation. | found myself still in posses
sion Of my senses, and my limbs in good work
ing condition looked round as | thought in
every direction, and could only discover that
was not far from the middle of the river, and in
the neighborheod of some twenty or thirty
others, who seemed TO have been thrown into
the river somewhat in heap, they were sustain
ing themselves on the surface as best they could,
many of them endeavoring to get in possession
of floating pieces of theswreck to aid them.
could see nothing Of The. exploded boat, and
was fully satisfied in my hind that she was
blown all to pieces, and everySbeng on board
lost but those who, like myself, were still strug-
Cling in the water. | will do myself the simple
justice to say, that from the time | arose to the
surface had no apprehension of drowning, not
witbstanding the chances that seemed against
me. never felt more buoyant, nor swan with
greater ease. Still thought it we'll enough to
appropriate whatever aid was within my reach,
so like others | began race, which proved a
tedious one after piece of shattered plank. ]
finally reached i, and putting one hand rather
rudely upon It got sousing for my pains-the
piece was too small to render me any material
service abandoned it and turned in the direc
ton of steamboat (which afterwards learned
| to be the Naniope] which was making towards
us. To keep my face toward the approaching
steamer found that had to oppose the strong
current of the river This, together with tn,
coldness of the water, so exhausted my physica
energies that for brief space, felt that might
not be able to keep myself on the surface unit
the boat should come within reach Of me- As
| the boat came near to us there was n cry from
large number Of my unfortunate neighbors-
"Stop the boat!' "Stop the boat r'-There was
indeed great danger of our being run over by it
| ], however, had no fears on this point, and made
no effort to get ont of its way Fortunately fol
myself was of the first the boat approached
A sailor threw out to me large cable, which
| succeeded in grasping at the first effort.
was drawn to the boats guards, which were sew
eral feet above the water. While drawing me
up the kind-hearted sailor cried out Hold on,
partner But could not, my energies were
exhausted, the rope was slipping in my hands,
and should certainly have fallen into the water
and perhaps have been carried irrecoverably out
of reach under the boats guards, had not another
sailor quickly reached down and got hold of one
| OF my arms. was drawn on BOARD about as
nearly lifeless as folks get to be who are not
dead Two stout men kindly assisted me into
the cabin A blanket was wrapt round my
sbivering and almost insensible body.
As soon as there was restoration Of n little
vital warmth, became deadly sick, and but for
my rather ungraceful casting up of the bounti-
fuI dinner and fine store of champagne, taken
about an hour before, by a violent eruption from
| NV utornocb | am NOT surp n what would
have been the consequence About half glass
of brandy and peppermint was then administered
to me; my chest, which ] discovered, both from
its soreness and my splitting of blood, to have
been somewhat bruised, was copiousy bathed
with whiskcy, and began gradually to improve.
Friend Bigny was one of the first whom | met
on board. He had escaped in about the same
plight as myself. You may be sure it was a
happy meeting on both sides.
tEg-C Connecticut ALWAYS was ORIENT on clocks