Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-23
The Western Catastrophe.

We take the following particulars of the ex-
ploson of the i-fated steamer St. James from
the New Orleans papers.
The St. James left Bay St. Louis, at about
ten o'clock on Sunday night, with nearly seven
ty passengers and about thirty other persons,
composing the officers crew, and servants. The
California started from the Bay twenty minutes
after, and passed the st. James in the Rigolets.
Getting into shoal water, the St. James again
went ahead and kept the lead, until when oppo-
site Point Aux Herbes, some twelve or fifteen
miles from the landing at Milneburg she bursted
her boilers. This was at o'clock in the morn
ing when all the passengers were in their berths.
Immediately after the explosion the boat took
fire, and the flames caused the loss ofseyeral, who
had escaped the explosion.
The California fortunately, was not over
quarter of mile behind, and Captain b. P.
Ensign, her commander, quickly placed his boat
in position to save the survivors. A gentleman
connected with the Pcayune, who was on the
California, thus describes what occurred, after
the St. James passed her:
The ill-Cated boat had not gone more than
quarter of n mile in advance, when her boilers ex-
ploded. The scene which eusued was terrible
beyond description. The upper part of the st.
James was literally shattered to atoms, and the
wreck was almost instantly il. flames.
The shrieks of those on board the burning
boat were heard by the passengers on the CaIitor-
MA and as the flames rose and extended. the
suspense and anxiety became agonizng. Capt
Ensign steered directly for the wreck, but the
fire was so intensely hot that he was compelled
bv due regard for the persons Immediately un-
der his charge to haul off a short distance. The
boats belonging to the California were launched
manned and went to the aid Of the sufferers
Some were in the water and Others on the wreck,
and as MANY Of the former as were discovered
were rescued.
"The flames rose from the centre of the ST.
James, and Capt. Ensign made a second attempt
to reach the persons on the wreck. He snccee-
dcd bv skilful management in getting under the
stern, and large number Of ladies and gentlemen
gained the decks Of the California"
The following incidents Of The scene are narra-
ted bv the gentleman from the Pcayune:
I'VE learn from Mr.. Archibald Binney that
Judge Preston had his berth over the boilers, No.
| -. He WAS seen to retire to rest, and imnledl-
atcIy after the eyp losion occurred the place where
he had been living was observed to have been
shattered to pieces, and lie was nowhere to be
seen. 1t is presumed that lie perished instantly,
although faint hope, which will cling to one
when the destruction safety Of friends arc con-
ccrncd Was entertained that By some miracle he
might have reached the shore, which Was not far
distant.
-. NJ Wolf and his son, lad about fourteen
wears Of age were seen standing on the wreck OF
the St. James together. The boy urged his faith
er to Jump into the water and declared that he
could save him. The father refused to jump
into the water, and the boy left him and struck
out for the California, which was then approach
ing He reached her IN an exhausted state, and
was saved. \ rope was thrown to him just as
he crird out that he could struggle no more.
"Johu L. Shed, of the mint i'll this city, was
on board the St. James with his lady. Mrs. Shed
was rescued, and her husband is supposed to have
perishcd.
"Co Paifrcy was among those taken from the
water, having swan from the burning wreck
His hands were slightly burned.
"a negro boy belonging to DR.. Pennington
was lost. The doctor himself was indetatlgaOle
in his exertions for the relief of the wounded, and
his conduct excited the admiration of all who OBJ
served him.
"The steamboat St. Charles had arrived IN
Milneburg; but the light OF the burning St. James
having been seen, the captain got up stream ana
steered for the wreck. He arrived there, howeV-
er, after all who could be were saved"
The st. James was high pressure boat,
which had been running on the river as a coast
packet, until about a month since when she was
taken to the Lake.
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