Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-30
From the Memphis Daily Wing of March l5.
Particulars of the Burning of the Steam
er Caroline.
STATEMENT OF TIE cIERK.

clock P NJ, with about l25 passengers in ala
| bout half in the cabin.
Nothing worthy of note occurred until about 4
O'Clock Sunday afternoon when 81 miles from the
mouth of White River, the attention of the STE
| ward called to the unusual commotion
| among the horses and I followed him down to
| see what was the matter.
When we reached the foot of the stairway, we
discovered that the boat was on fire, and the
| boilers were enveloped in flames. The horses
tails were burning.
Below l give you statement prepared on
board the st. Nicolas. Yours, &C.,
WIN E. ELLIOT, CLDRK.
INCIDENTS or THE DISASTER FROM AN BYE WIT
NESS.
Or BOARD STEAMER ST. NICHOLAS,
Wednesday, March 6, {
MEssRs EDTToRs: After near three days ma
ture reflection and revisit to the spot where the
ill-fated Caroline was burnt, sit down to the
disagreeable task of giving you faint outline +
a scene that beggars all description and sickens
the heart to reflect upon. On Sunday evening
last, after pleasant run Of twenty-one hours
from cur city, about 4 o'clock P. NJ. the atten-
ton of the passengers were attracted to the
stamping and kicking ofthe horses on deck oppo-
site the boilers, when c rush was made by two
three Of US to see the cause, when 10 the boat
was discovered TO be on fire, the boilers being
veloped in flames,
The crew Immediately proceeded TO work the
pumps, but were driven back instantly by the
flames, when all hopes were gone of saving her,
1 - bo Sv- OF Ia off
4 general rush by men, women and children
was now made to the forecastle by the cabin pas
sengers, to avoid the destruction that awaited
theIa from the devouring element which was
gaining ground with the rapidity Of lightning
which at the same time drove the deck passen-
gers and crew aft.
Soon the yawl was lowered by the deck hands
and sooner was it filed by dozens of frightened
beings, scorched and devoid Of reason by fright.
While this awful scene was goiug on aft, every
cabin passenger, save one or two, had gained the
forecastle, ready to take the fearful leap, prefer
Tag watery grave to being burned 10 DEATH
About this time poor Trice and Creighton were
seen on the hurricane-roof. Trice woke up Cap
tain Taylor and ran back TO his wheel-asking
Capt. T. what TO do. He told him to run her
ashore, which he attempted, but found that the
tiller ropes were burned. About this time Capt.
Creighton threw the ladder from the roof, and
deliberately went down astern on the stays, and
having gained the lower guards he deliberately
rid himself of his coat and boots, and after wait
ing awhile, swung himself into the water, still
hanging to the guards, and was seen by mem
Der of the Order Of Odd Fellows TO give the sig
n. Il L. - a hxy
telling him to let 60 and swim-he having no
earthly means of saving him having only min
ute before swan to the shore exhausted, and at
that time was assisting Capt. Taylor to the shore,
who was almost exhausted.
This was the last that was seen ofpoor Creigh-
ton, he having sunk moment afterwards. Poor
Trice was seen at the wheel moment before the
pilot house was encompassed by flames, and al
though it is painful to think it, yet we can but
conclude that he sank down through the cabin,
having the kissing sheets of fire for his shroud.
Still it is consoling to think that though he lost
his own life, he saved one hundred others by
steering the boat ashore, and also, that he died
at his post, still holding on to the wheel.
We shall never see his like again. At this
time could be seen dozens of human beings foun-
dering in the water having jumped from the low
er deck to avoid being consumed by fire, all OF
whom are now lying on the bottom of the impid
| White Not so with those on the forecastle. So
soon as the bow struck the bank fifty persons
leaped on shore and left destruction behind them;
and after reaching dry land scamPered IN every
direction to escape the effects Of anticipated ex-
| plosion of boilers, powder, &c
Awful were the cries from the wrecked behind
and alas we could render no assistance for we hat
no means in reach. And thus ends tragedy
which hope never to see the ike again.
Mr. Elliot clerk of the Caroline, told US ofma
ny thrilling incidents which he witnessed during
the burning of the boat One father, who at
tempted to save his two children by swimming
with them both in his arms. he succeeded Il
reaching near the shore when his strength SO fail
ed him that he was compelled to release them il
, order to save himself by swimming to willoE
tree, where he rested and from which he say
J them sink the second time. He leaped in an
brought them to the top of the water, and reach
! cd the tree, but alas ! they were dead. Placin
the corpse in the fork he climbed above then
and there sat with dripping clothes, weepin
over his dead children, until the Naomi can
along and sent out her yawl to his relief.
I --SS~>-----