New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-14
Steamboat Calamity on Lake Pontchartrain.

The New Orleans papers of the 9th inst.
contain many particulars relative to the late ap-
palliag steamboat explosion on Lake Pontchar-
train, of which we had a brief telegraphc &C
count Yesterday. We copy the following partic-
uIars from the N. o. Commercial Bulletin.
at appears that the ST. James left Bay ST. Louis on
Sunday night, in company with the Steamboat Csifor
MIA having on board a large number of persons who
had been spending the Fourth at the watering places.
There about seventy passengers and a crew of
over thirty on board the ST. James about fifteen
miles distant from the POnicharran Railroad landing
between aud O'clock yesterday morning. and was a
short distance shead OF the California when the boilers
exploded, killing several persons immediately scalding
others, and making complete wreck of the forward
part OF the boat Toe stancions being torn by the
explosion, the whole of the boiler deck fell upon the
boilers and machinery, and many persons not hurt by
the explosion, were then burned aud scadeG
When the explosion occurred most Of the passengers
were asleep The that followed Is beyond descp
ton IL is stated that Capt Clarke, who asleep Il
the time of the explosion, rushed on deck, aud with
Samuel Henderson, pilot of the boat took possession Of
the yawl and keeping back the crowd who rush.
Ing 10 IT, handed board Mrs Asher and her tn zee
children, Mrs. Shed and another lady, who were near
by and Robert Smith steersmsn who had his arm
broken. Tie yawl put cut, but, unfortunately,
struck 10y the California she uD and was upset
and those on board except Mrs. Shed were drowned
Capt Clarkes two htte sons aud son of Mr. j. M
Wolf, jumped overheard and swan to the California
and were picked up
When the California came up the ST. James was ia
flames which several times communicated to the former
boat Although In such dangerous proximity, Cap
Ensign Of toe California, acted cOoly, With judgment
and with noble doermiD alton 10 life where
possible. The California made fast to the stern Of
the burning boat the laDdiog plank out and all
the passengers thut could be many of them badly
iniuIed-were taken OF, Capt Clarke being the last
person TO leave his boat A. the California showed OIL
boy named BOulgny seen running about the wreck
in a dreadful condition His blown Off
nothing buI the sumps eitand he appeared 10 be in
sane Assistance 10 him impossible, and the poor
boy was left 10 perish
When the wounded got on board the California Dr.
Ulhoru, who passenger on that boat and Dr. Pen
riusioD, vho was saved from the 81 James, rendered
most efficient assistance 10 them.
Ii impossible TO state correctly the number OF lives
lost Not than half the passengers it said, had
registered their names Ii is however knO VII that at
teen OF sixteen polished There various es,ma,es
to the number-some say twenty-others more-lo,t
their ives Among the number is Isaac t Preston,
Of the judges of the Supreme Court; Mr.. Richard
Turner, late Commissary Of the Fourth Ward Second
Municipality j. 81 Woi, member of the Bar; John
MollOy Nicholas Read, member OF Protection Fire
Co No 70; Mr.. shed, of the L :. Branch Mint; James
a servant of DR.. Permission; boy Of Capt Tuft M.
Psul (EugineeT); free cOlored boy, name unknown;
JOHN "a coloed many second ste ward o the boat Mrs
Asher her dau ghter aged about l6) aud two young
ter who died since At LuzenbuTgs hospital Mr. G tche
Delfle who got board the S. JAMES al Bay st LOus
IL supposed 10 be lost
Nineteen persons were wounded, some Of them
verey Capt Wright, the principal owner Of the S.
Janice was badly scslded. The last we heard Of MIN
he Was doing well Capt Clarke was badly bruised by
timber striking him the head. Oliver RouL second
who duty at the time Of the explosion,
was badly scsloed. We have information IS u the
cause Of the explosion and il is useless % speculate
here upon the subject The cause, In all probsbn
ity will ever be known We iTus however, that
judicial investigation will be made.
The PicayRas says that the during the burning
Of the 81 James as described by eye witnesses, was
one OF terrible Interest
"The space between the boats was lighted up by the
blazing confs graf the brightness al mid lay, an
the Spectators iron. the Cal Oraa could the terri
fed men and women board of rue 81 ines hurry
ing O. ana fro w giEg their hands Selling upon such
articles they could Ind for temporary support and
Jumping into the lake. The awfully dis
iiuc sud narrowing, not from the burning boat merely
but rom water In all directions where the swin
nlers shouting for help, and drowning, shrie King
or gssping With sgony. Voices were calling from all
poirt Is as the boosts Of the Cshorhia abou, swiftly
picking up such could be reached The Mortified eyes
Of those upon the California could men cease to
struggle ano 60 down. without the power help them
OF by siivipg 70 catch the gimpses Of some floating
bead 90 they might DO caught ia the flashes Of the
moonlight which spsIkled ON the rpDes beyond the
Immediate area Of the confagration twas u
nstyo up the feelings with anguish TO be remembered
..t,h ko..-,r 20 sba eiose III life ~