The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-01-01
IErom the n. U. Ficayune, Iy,hn
Burning OF tho South America.

We have received from Mr. Hayman. first
clerk OF the steamer South America. n de-
tailed account OF the destruction Of that boat
by fire, at 8 O'Clock, last Monday afternoon
at the head of Morgan's Bend, fifteen miles
above Bayou Sara.
At the first alarm the passengers rushed
forward, few of them havin2 hue TO secure
their trunks. The first clerk, Mr.. f.ayman.
entered the office and secured half OF the
money, but left the rest, and books and pa
pers, to run aft and bring the ladies forward
He succeeded in doing SO, the flames spread
ing so rapidly that one moment more and the
ladies' would have been lost.
The olFicers-captain, engineers, &c.,-all
stood 10 their posts 10 the last moment, until
the boat WAS tied up and the passengers were
saved. Mr.. Charles b. Brazier the pilot,
stood at the wheel until the flames enveloped
the wheel house. He had to leap through
the burnin boat TO escape. Capt. Logan
did not leave his post OH The hurricane deck
until the boat YVES fast moored. He then
came down TO the ladies cabin to save his
wife and child. Dir. Ilayman and Mr.. Car
ter second clerk were the last to quit the
boiler part OF the boat, except Mr.. BraZier,
the pilot, who was the last man Oh board
The loss OF life amounts to twen,y-seven
penier of the boat. was not able TO get for
ward from the ladies cabin, as lis other in
mates did. Her husband. seeing no escape
from the flames, then fast app. oaching, threw
her into the river and jumped in after her.
He was unable 10 save her from drowning
She was the only cabin passenger lost
The Chief cook, Jackson Noles white
man. and three firemen. were last seen on the
main deck just ait OF the boilers. with their
clothes on fire. They had hol. Of the hose
and and were laboring hard TO exiuguish the
fire. They @ere never seen ag;,ia, and were
most probably burned TO death.
Tie porter Of the boat, Il white man nam
ed VIM. Sheppard, from Evansville. Ia.. was
last seen at the wash house in front OF the
wheel-house. He was either drowned or
burned.
A young man, nCmc unknown, part owner
Of a large lot Of poultry on board, was last
seen in the water holding on to the wheel
house. He became exhausted, however, let
20 his hold and sank 10 rise no more. He
was from Elizaheihtown, Ill.
There were 100 soldiers on board recruits
for the 81 regiment OF iniantry. on their way
to Join their various companies in Texas and
New Mexico. They were under the COM
mand OF Lieut.. Williamson. They were
scattered on the hurricane and main decks
All had 10 jump overheard 10 save their lives
and swim ashore. Seventeen were drowned.
Two or three OF those saved were badly
burned
Onc soldiers wife jumped overheard and
WIS drowned Another threw her little
cidd over first and sprang after it. Both
were drowned.
The soldiers lost all their knapsacks, cloth
ing and baggage. The officers of the boat
lost ever thIng. The ladies saved nothing
A few of the passengers saved their trunks.
With that exception, all who reached the
shore saved nothing but the clothes they
wore.
The boat burned about three hours and 10
the waters edge. She then sunI, in eighty
feet water. Boat and cargo, which latter
consisted of ilonr. butter, &c, are Il total loss.
The boat stsuck tie land ;;io.:t half mile
below the house of Mr.. Sncid, u planter. He
and the neighboring planters for five miles
up and down the coast-Mr. Eugene. Mr.
Adams. and many others whose names are
not remembered-immeGialely came TO the
SC enc Of the disaster, and exerted themselves
!, the kindest and most hospitab!e manner 10
.eIl,. re .he discomioris and necessities oitthe
entire ,.artT-ofiicers, crew, ladies. passengers
md soIdie.r s-taking them intp their houses
md aGordin. then every assistance and con-
,,lation. Such nob,a hearted conduct is not
asil, forgotten.