New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-08
Particulars of the Explosion and Burning of
the Steamer Oregon.

CIScIsSATI, Friday, March T.
The steamer Oregon bound down from Louis
vile, while passing through shute Of Island No.
-, at NJ on the I'd inst burst her boiler with
tremendous report, carrying away the forward
cabin and upper deck, killing and wOunding 90
persons. She was heavily laden, and had from
20 to 100 passengers, who had just finished dinner
and were generally collected in the hall and for
ward guards at the time. She took fire after the
explosion and burnt 70 the waters edge and
being in the channel Of the River under way at
the time, would have consumed all on board but
for the assistance of the Iroquois, which was
WOodng within mile of the Oregon. pom see
ing the explosion, Capt. Lee, of the Iroquois
gave orders to go to her relief, and it was bat a
few minutes before she was alongside the Oregon.
The flames had just burnt through the hurricane
roof-men, women, and children, were collected
together on the after part of the boat without the
means Of getting away, but by jumping into the
River. The shrieks Of the women, the phrenZy
of the men, ready to leap overheard TO avoid the
more horrible death by fire, and the groans Of
the scalded and dying, and the piteous lowing OF
the cattle battles description. Captain Lee
ran the bow of the Iroquois aft of the Oregon,
and ladders being placed from the upper deck of
the Oregon to the lower deck of the Iroquoisi all
on board the burning vessel able to walk got OF,
the Iroquois being all the time in great danger OF
taking fire. Capt. Montgomery was the last man
TO leave the wreck, which he did just as the Iro-
quois was backing away, and the parting of the
boats caused the ladders to fall, precipitating
Capt NJ into the river, but he was rescued with
several bruises. The clerks Office was entirely
blown away together with the books and papers
of the boat George Brown, first clerk, was in
the office at the time of the explosion, and was
killed The waters in the cabin were at dinner,
and all killed except the steward. Eight white
fremen were killed. IL ia impossible to give
correct idea Of the loss Of life, nothing having
been left whereby TO ascertain names. The floor
of the Iroauois presented an awful sight The
Oregon was scutted, bat 1t proved useless, as the
burning Of the upper works caused her TO rise
faster than the holes could allow the introduction
of wafer 10 sink her. The Bulletin" came up
soon after the accident occurred, and endeavored
to extingGisn the flames by means Of her engines
which, however proved abortive. The passen-
gers Of the Bulletin" afforded much aid, and
remained aboard the Iroquois until they reached
Memphis, when the sufferers were taken to the
Hospital many Of them in the agonies Of death.
The IToquois had board 25 Of the scalded, IL of
whom died before reaching Memphis. The fol
lowing is list of the killed and wounded as far
as could be ascertsined.
KHed-George Brown, frat clerk; Richard Young OF
Shelby Co XIV; William Miller Of Harrison Co.; Mrs
Patrick Lyon deck hand; William Lsrkn, Louisville,
~ cabin boys, one engineer name unknown, and white
hTemen.
Scaled and injwed-Cspt Montgomery, badly burnt
Barrett MuikeD, ID clerk. slightly; J. C. M1sselman,
COrnDRlon, Ky badly scalded; y. Atkinson, Galloway
Co do; Isaac Falls Princeton, Ind do; John Johnson,
barber, do Mr. Lyons. barkeeper slightly Mr. Conner,
pilot do; JnO. NJ Cox OF Nelson CO. Nv, do.
EseaTed uHhuyt-James. pilot; Mr Dean, Stearsman
Peck, hsrkeeper John While steward; Mr. Miller, mate
Peer bngg, wsichmsn H. Smith, carpenter; Mr.. Curd,
wife and osuPhter VIM DuiseLburgh OF Ca D. G.
Bobb, wife and son Of Ind; engineers AID number Of
slaves