Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-08-12
CATASTROPHE H!
Burning OF the Steamboat
HENRY CLAY.
rWENTY-THREE LIVES LOST
A LARGE NUMBER MISSING. =

Yesterday afternoon, about five o.
clock, the painful rumor spread through
the city, that the fine steamboat Henry
Clay, had been burned to the waters
edge, while OH her way from Albany to
this city, and that large number of pas.
sengers had lost their lives. The late
cruel malicious hoax started regarding the
Reindeer, caused the rumors regarding
the Henry Clay to be doubted at FIRST
We Immediately dispatched our report
ers to acerlain the truth of the matter,
but soon several persons who had been
passengers on the Henry Clay, and had
reached the city by the Rail Road, called
at our office TO apprize us of the fact that
the steamboat had been destroyed by fire,
and many lives lost.
The Henry Clay was only placed up
on the river this season as day boat be-
tween this city and Albany. The acci.
dent occurred about 3 miles below York
ers. The particulars are as follows:-
The Henry Clay left Albany al Z o.
clock, A. M, for New York, stopping al
all intermediate landings. When near
New York she had on board between
TWO hundred and fly and three hundred
passengers.
On her passage down The river, she en-
tered into competition with the Amer
ica," both endeavoring to gaiE in point of
the other. When near Kingston. the
two boats, "Henry Clay" and .'Amer-
| ica :, co,,,o :, o,,ll;s;,o ,y;tb ,.b ,,,ha..
in consequence of which the latter sus-
tanned some Sigh, injury to her wood
| work.
After this the racing was stopped, and
| the two boats continued on their way
When off Forrest Point, some IA miles
from this city, quarter after three o.
clock in the afternoon, fire was dscov-
cred under the forward end of the boil
ers OF the steamer "Henry CLAW" At
the moment but little notice was taken CT
The fire, and severa, buckets Of water
were applied.
Notwithstanding these exertions, the
flames burst forth with renewed vigor,
and soon the steamer amid ships below
! promenade decks, in the immediate vi
entity OF the boilers and machinery was
mass OF fire. The greatest consierna-
ton prevailed among the passengers
The officers of the steamer with great
presence of mind drove the passengers
TO the forward part OF the boat, and
headed her bow towards the shore.
The steamer shortly after struck the
shore, SO great was the speed at which
she was propelled, that she ran nigh and
dry upon the land, as far as her boilers,
or amidships The scene at This moment
beggars description. 1t was indeed one
of the widest confusion, husbands
searching for their wives and children,
children searching for their parents,
friends looking for friends, &c. The mo-
menI the boat touched the shore the ma
jorlty of those who were on board
jumped ashore, receiving only slight
| bruises.
AT this time the flames burst through
the upper decks and in few minutes
thereafter the whole vessel was one mass
OF fire. Many of those who attempted
to escape forward. persisted in the flames,
or were sufiocated In the smoke. There
appearing no rescue at hand, those in the
afterpart OF the vessel jumped into the
water and many were drowned.
The flames continued to rage with un-
abated fury, and within an hours time af-
ter the vessel was driven ashore, she was
burned to the waters edge.
The bow and portion of the hull
which was high on shore, continued
burning for long time afterwards. 49,
Nothing else of the vessel appeared but