The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-07-13
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
From the New Orleans Delta. July s.
HORRIBLE Observation-Disclosures
OF THE ST. JAMES.


This morning, betw cen two and three O'Clock,
,be bells Of our city toled an alarm of fire.
The engines started, but could not fnd the
FIRE. No one knew the cause of the alarm,
unii! our citizens, on going out this morning,
we're shocked by the intelligence that the ST.
lanes which plies between Biloxi and the
other watering places on the sea shore, had
exploded her boilers and burnt to the waters
edge. killing and wounding number of per-
sous.
Amid the excitement, confusion and conflict
ing accounts of this sad affair, ii was some
lime before we could learn the exact intelI-
sence. All that we at present know, may be
briefly stated as follows: The St. James left
the Bav of St. Louis in company with the
California having aboard a large number of
persons, many of whom had gone to the water-
ing places TO spend the 4th of July. There
were about seventy passengers aboard, and
about thirty hands, without including cabin
bows
Between two and three this morning as the
St. James came within fifteen miles of the
Railroad, when nearly all on board were wrapt
in sleep, she suddenly exploded both of her
boilers, killing several persons Immediately,
and scaldng many others. Immediately after
the explosion, the stanchions being knocked
awaS, the whole deck forward of the wheel
house. fell down upon the boilers and machi.
Dery, burning and scalding many PERSONS
Our informant was asleep at the time, and says
he was awakened by the screaming of the wo
men. As soon as the explosion occurred, Cap.
tain Clark, who was asleep at the time, rushed
out, when he heard the explosion. and with
Samuel Henderson, pilot, took possession of
the yawl boat, and keeping back the crowd,
who rushed towards lt,-permitted those of
the ladies, who were near, to enter the yawl
together with Robert Smith. steersman, who
had his arm broke. The persons who got in
the yawl, were Mrs. Asher and her three chill
dren, another lady-nane not known, and two
men. The yawl put out, but drifting about,
vas struck by the California as she came up,
and upset-al aboard, except one lady, be-
ing drowned.
Captain Clark's two little sons, both under
ten years OF age, and son of Mr. J. nj. Wolf,
jumped overheard, aud swan toward the Cali.
darnla; they were picked up and saved. The
GOODNESS OF these little heroes was most admi-
rable. When Captain Clark was asked to put
hi. sons on board the yawl, he replied. No,
ne would not-the passengers and the females
must be taken care of first" The little bows
said they could swim and take care of them.
selves. Mr.. VOLTS son, boy of nine or ten,
being in his mig BIT clothes, had the GOODNESS to
take hs clothes with him on a stick, and would
not take the rope thrown to him, until he had
carefully gathered up his garments.
atler the explosion, and Captain Ensign be.
haved most nobly. The St. james being in
DANES. it was quite dangerous to approach
her and, indeed, the California caught fire
severa! times, she was SO near. This did not,
however, deter Captain Ensign. He made
fast the California to the stern of the st. james,
and ran out her board. The passengers Were
then all taken of--the wounded, many of whom
were very badly injured, walking aboard
ton Il
deck. As the California left, a poor boy of the
name OF John Bouligny was seen running
about the wreck, with only the stumps of his
arms lett-they were blown of. Efforts were
made TO rescue him, but his condition was SO
desperate, and his mind was gone, so that it was
impossible to get him to obey orders. He was,
therefore. left to perish in the flames.
The wounded were taken on board the Cali
lsrnia, where they received every assistance
which could be rendered them.
The loss by this explosion is a serious-a
heart-rending one. The second clerk, Mr..
Chas. Reynolds, TO whom we are indebted for
most ofthe particulars, says that not oDe-half
the passengers were entered on the Register.
fie estimates the actual number OF killed as
not over twenty, but we think the estimate
must be too small. Among the victims is our
venerable fellow-citizen Judge Preston, ofthe
Supreme Court OF Louisiana, who had gone
"'Ni Luxe III tdkH I'll IAc was oCCb
10 retire to rest, and Immediately after the ex.
ploslon occurred, the place where he had been
lying was observed TO have been shattered to
pieces, and he was no where TO be seen.
Mr.. Richard Turner, late Commssary Of
the Fourth Ward, Second Municipality, was
Killed. So were Dir. John Molloy and another
member of Fire Company No. 19. This
company had been over to Biloxi to spend
the Fourth Of July, and in returning had
placed their engine on the California, and their
horse was taken aboard of the st. james in
charge OF three Of the men. Of course the
horse was lost.
This morning VIC saw the company return.
ing IN procession from the railroad, with the
engine draped in mourning, and the men
marching to the slow notes of funereal music.
What sad change from the lively strains and
Joyous aspect with which they departed yes.
terday,t celebrate the anniversary Of our in :
dependence.
DIR. Shed, of the Mint, was ON board with his
VIE. The latter was the lady who was taken
from the yawi of the ST. james after she up.
set. Mr.. Shed is reported among the lost.
The loss of Mrs. Asher, with her three chill
dren, Was particularly affective and sorrow
iui Que. Her children were three interesting
9anghierss--one, Melessia was about hfteen;
Nate was six. aud the other was an infant.
:. Hsches Deiisie, who came on board at the
Bay OF ST. Louis, is believed also TO have been
lost.
Captain Wright, the owner Of the ST. James.
Was badly scaided. Captain Clark, the Cap
tam, was struck on the head and bruised
he principal Engineer, WIN. Collins, was of