The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-02-14
THRILLING ACCOUNT
he witt Clinton.

Near Memphis, Tenn, Jan. 9Th 80.
DEAR RIcKETTs:-l wrote you from
New Orleans few days, since giving
YOU a description of the weather, as
something new at that place. | write
YOU again, but now more painful task
is mine. then invited you to come
west and take trip on our western riv-
ers on our Boat. But now | have no
Boat nor any part of one. She is lost
a total wreck, total loss. On Sunday
afternoon (25th) at A. o'clock, P. NJ,
while ascending the river, at that time
not dreaming OF any unusual dangers
not break appearing in the river where
we We're running, she struck a snag,
and IN less than three minutes, she
was total wreck. lam confident that
in les, tt,an tire 'ataUtc3 | found my
self on the hurricane roof, with the toll
of years, spent on those rivers. under
my feet. Few Boats. if indeed any one,
, ever met more sudden destruction. We
have passed through many storms, and
no doubt through many narrow escapes
from snags, but on this occasion from
all appearances, no danger seemed near,
truly verifying the words of the Poet:
'When in the storm fate frowns with angry mien
Bat in the sunshine strikes the blow"
But this was not the worst; would to
God it had been. The scene that fol-
lowed, no pen can describe, at least not
mine. In the above mentioned time
she sunk to the cabin floor. We were
very full of people, on all about go;
about 1870 of these in the cabin, not one
Of whom were lost; but on deck the
loss of life was severe. We know of ga
certain; don't think the number lost
will exceed 40.
Never while memory lasts shall for.
get the scene; the universal scramble for
life; the ear piercing cries of mothers,
fathers, husband. wife, and children, for
assiStance-the sitting groans of drown
ing men, women and children. The
agonizing cries of those who could rem
der their relative no assistance, beggars
all description. In some cases the whole
family gone; in others single child
saved; several men lost their wives and
children; women lost their husbands and
children. One poor fellow who had
just met his wife and six child rem IN Or
leans, from Europe, saved one child on
| ly. But need not specify cases; indeed
do not wish to dwell longer on thi!
. painful subject. We have cut away the
cabin floor and with hooks, have grab
bled out twenty three bodies, which hav.
been buried on the bank Of the river
May my eyes never again rest ON sucl
a scene, is my sincere prayer. car
trul y say
+ "TEo' much TO thee, dear sight, owe,
AT intervals would be Blind
Had we sunk fifty feet from where WI
+. did, or the accident been in the nigh
few perhaps, if any, would have been sa
, we'd, the water being some 60 feet dceI
and the river full of floating ice.--
We We're heavily freighted; IS hea,
, of horses and some catle-all lost
Some gentlemen on board, had severa
slaves; the relation OF master and slav,
soon ceased; nine Of them found a wa
terry grave.-One of our crew only wa
lost. BY dark nearly go had got /
!, shore with one vawl, without one ounc
n of any thing saved to eat. where W
sncnt dark drizlv drearv nioht. Far
Of III. ladies and a few men only. couI
find shelter by finding house about
: mile from where we sunk. A few foun
another house near 3 miles off; the coun
e try being very thinlv settled on tina
side of the river at that place. All tn
hospiial;,y tia, could possibly be AFFORD
ed Under tie circumstances WAS show
y them,.-tn- greater number, however. II
= deed a.arly all remained On ii. ouJd
p baal, 81 I'M. river amid ice .aod >nnv =
II nirE, and l,nt,' near tI. clos, ofthn NJ,
n day, without provisions ood ma OIL,