The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-08
Aufui Particulars of the Explosion and
Buraiag OF the steamer Oregon


CINcISNArI, March 7, 1851.
The steamer Oregon, bound down from Louisville,
while passing through the shute of island No. 49, at
P NJ on the End inst; burst her boiler with tremen
dous report carrying away the forward cabin and up
per deck, and killing and wounding so perssns.
She was heavily laden, and had from 80 to loo pas
scngers who had just finished dinner and gene
rally collected In the hail. and the forward guards
at the time
She took fire after the explosion and burnt to the
water edge and being in the channel of the river and
under way, would have consumed all those on board
but for the assistance of the Iroquois which wa
wooding within mile of the Oregon.
Upon seeing the explosion, Captain Lee of the Iro.
quoS, gave orders to go to the relief of the Oregon
But few minutes elapsed before she alongside the
Oregon. The flames had just burst through the hur
ricane roof. Men, women, and children, were col
lected together the after part of the boat without
the means of getting away but by jumping into the
river.
The shrieks OF the women, the frenzy of the men,
ready to leap overheard to avoid the more horrible
death by fire. and TIE grosns of the scslded and dy
ing, and the piteous lowing Of the cattle, battle de-
cription.
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 lever deck of the Iroquos all
board the burning vessel who able to walks got off,
the Iroquos being all the time in great danger of
taking fire.
Capt. Montgomery tbs last man to leave the
wreck, which he did just the Iroquois backing
away. The parting of the boats caused the ladder
to fall and preciptated Capt. Montgomery into the
river from which he rescued with era bruises
The clerks Office entirely blown away, together
with the books and papers of the boat George Brown
first clerk in the office at the me Of the explo
sion and was killed
The walters in the cabin at dinner and all were
killed, except the steward.
Eight white fremsn killed.
1t b impossible to give correct idea OF the loss Of
life, nothing having been left whereby to ascertain
names.
The feor Of the Iroquois preeented awful sight
The Oregon was scuttled, but 1t proved useless Is
the burning OF the upper works caused her to rise
faster than the holes could allow the introduction Of
water to sink her.
The steamer Bulletin came up soon after the acc-
dent occurred, and endesvored to extingush the
flames by means of her engines, which however,
proved abortve.
The passengers Of the Bulletin afforded much aid,
and remained aboard the Ioquois until they reached
Memphis when the sufferers taken to the hospi-
tai, many Of them in the sgonies of death.
The Iroquois had board twenty Ave of the scalded
eleven Of whom died before reaching Mem phIs
The following Is list of the killed and wounded as
far as could be ascertained -
KILLED.
George Brogon, fret clerk.
Richard Y Young, of Shelby county, Kentucky.
william Miller, of Harrison county, Indiana.
Mrs Asher, of Louisville.
Patrick Murphy, Louisville.
Patrick Lyon, deck hand.
William Lsrkin, Louisviu
Blk cabin boys, one engineer, name unknown, and
seven fremen.
scALpED AND INJURED.
Capt. Montgomery, badly hurt.
Barrett Mulliken, second clerk slightly.
J.C. Musselnan Corripgton, Ky, badly scalded
o. Atkinson, Galloway county, do.
Issac J. Falls Princetown, Indiana, DO.
John Johnson. barber, do.
MI. Lyons, barkeeper, slightly.
Mr.. Conner, pilot, do.
Jno NJ. Cox, OF Nelson county, Ky, slightly.
ESCAPED UNHURT.
Mr.. Jane pilot Mr. Dean. steersman Mr.. Peck. bar.
keeper John White, steward Mr. Miller, mate; Peter
Brigg, watchman IL. Smith, carpenter Mr. Curd, wife
and three daughters; VIM. d. Quissenbargh, OF Ga
s. Robb, wife and son. OF Indiana; three engineers
and nu nber OF slaves.
TIE INSTANCES ON TIE OREGON
LOUISVILLE, March !, 1851
The oregon's freight was insured here for $4,000
$40 600 in Baltimore and $4,000 In Boston She had
about 900 tons OF freight. The boat insured here
ior $50 coo, but the Offices will not pay 1t