New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-02-16
STEAMBOAT DrsAsrER.-At or about 10 A. NJ

STEAMBOAT DIsAsTER.-At or about 10 A. NJ.
yesterday steamer John Swasey out Of the Yazoo
with full load of cotton-near 1000 balestook fire in
her wood ranks when nearly opposite jefferson City
short distance in her the Rockaway which in
her endeavors to pass the swasey not knowing her to
be on fire. caught few sparks which iguted her cargo
of cotton but owing its timely covery it was happily
subdued without her sustaining serious injury On the
swasey, unfortunately the scene was different APP
preaching the city with full gale Of wind from the SOUTH
the fire having originated underneath the cotton it was
discovered until it past human means to save her
and the cargo from destruction Butwhe the property
inevitably doomed the officers Of the boat knew that
other responsibilities than the protection of property
rested their shoulders, Human life was entrusted to
their and recognizing the Importance OF the trust
noby did they stand up to their duty While all was con
fusion board the pilot watch, with his plo-house
in flames was seen standing cOoly at his post and re-
garss Of his safety using bis endeavors to secure
that Of the passengers and crew.
For the credit of humanity would like to register
the of this brave and faithful officer but regret very
much to state unable to learn his however
his best reward the consciousness Of having nob and
manully acquitted him of his duty. Noting the rapid
progress fire held the boat hard in for the Gret
dock against which he her. for the purpose of a
fording the passengers opportunity Of escape Many
all who coudavaed themselves of the chance and the
boat swinging off in the the engineers stopped her
all hands engaged in throwing overheard the burn
ing cargo.
Drifting in this she swung In at the foot Of Bien
vile street. aud from her FIRE communicated to the
Texas st Charles and the "Postboy The Teras of
the Texas was consumed when She with the Postboy
latter of which had received but slight damage
away for Algiers where they lying. With the
"st Charles it was however different for half an
hour she side aud side with the burning steamer
the ndefatgabe exertions of fire department
must have been total loss As it was, the injury received
by her very serious.
The Swasey burned to the waters edge. and most
of the cargo lost but have heard Of but instance
of loss of life in the of the cook who, in temporary
state of sufocatou from the smoke fell overheard and
was drowned The Eliza, Capt. Stevens who had up
steam it being her hour of departure, took in
three beats aud removed them from the of danger
The steamer Eclipse hauled out in the stream avoid
her being made feature in the conhagration. At one
time the appeared ominous Of the destruction of
great number Of steamers and shipping
Any further particulars which may transpire will be
recorded for the information Of our readers.
FURTHER PARTicULARsAt late hour yesterday after
the cotton part of the cargo of the swasey burn
ing the Levee but careful watch being kept upon it,
no further danger anticipated We take pleasure in
announcing that the pilot watch at the time of the dis
coyery OF the disaster Mr. Pope oldham Ills courage
is well known but at the same time it rests with us to
chronicle the fact that his presence Of mind did desert
him on such trying emergency, but sustained him in
his audable endeayor to effect the preservation life
Mr. Robert Fletcher, mate who watch the hur.
rcane deck had stationed hands with buckets to guard
against the occurrence OF FIRE but observing it. he quiet
y gave notice that 1t had originated Hearing it, Mr.
Oldham, who had brother in the pilot house striker
earning the river told him the boat was on fire, to
himself and leave the pilot house the brother re-
oned he would stand by him Again he told to seek
MS safety and that after the brother Pope had looked
o the passengers he would his escape Soon
,fter the landing at Grena effected Mr. Oldham by
desperate leap through the the pilot house on to
he hurricane deck enabled to affect his own release
rom his dangerous position by preciptatng himself into
he river aud swimming shore There was collapse
through the escapemen pipe and the boat remained at
be mercy Of the three elements until reaching the city
de Of the river where after burning the line she sunk
twenty fathoms The load Of the boat was one
thousand six hundred and ninety bales No blame
be attached to the OTHERS OF the boat for the
accident is one liable to occur, despite all precautionary
measures