The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-05-25
Awful Steamboat Disaster.

Awful Steamboat Disaster.
The packet Fashion arrived from Louis
vile last evening, bringing the first inlelli-
gence Of the loss of the regular packet
Pike, on her way from this port to Louis
vile. The Pike left our wharf at P. M,
of Thursday, having on board about one
hundred and eighty passengers, crew, etc.
The boat, as we learn from steamentfu furnish
ed to US by one of the passengers, had a
delightful run until near Wilkinson land
ing, 100 miles from St. Louis
About one o'clock at night, when ali the
passengers were asleep, and the boat was
making some fifteen miles an hotr, she
struck a snag or rock, which tore her bot
tom out and caused her to sink with great
rapidity Not more than three minutes
elapsed before the water was up to the
ladies cabin, So sudden was the accident,
that woman and children frantic with ap-
perhension. Mothers became frantic for
their Children, husbands seeking for their
wives, ministers seekingon their knees the
aid and protection of God.
Not knowing the number of female
passengers on board, say the writer, u can
only give you few prominent items in re-
gard to the loss of life A very aged
gentleman and his wife, form Missouri, go
ing on visit to their daughter, in the neigh
borhood Of Madison, some fifteen miles
back. They were drownen When the
boat struck, she careened so suddenly that
the water filled the berths before the oc-
cupants could get out Two other persons
umped overheard in front of the wheel
house, and were lost Three others sprane
out at the stern of the vessel, and sank
beneath the waves to rise no more.
1t IS the impression of tie writer, thai
fifteen lives were lost by this calamity. The
officers and crew of the boat acted witt
promptness and kindness to all on board
The calmness and self-possession of some
ofthe passengers saved many lives. Many
persons were disposed to jump overbaore
in the vain hope of saving their, lives, bu
they were prevented from doing So Mr.
Hazen, of Cininnati and a gentleman from
Memphis, Tennessee, of the name of Isaa,
Young, were conspicuous in their effort
in this way. One lady was caught by th'
| I,o;, oDJ f.a,o I
Of course passenger were only drtssee
in their night clothes, and great quantities
of clothing were seen floating about tn,
boat; which they attempted to recover.
From another gentleman, who was ais
a passenger, we learn that the loss of lif
was much greater. In his opinion, from
forty to fifty persons were drowned
He was in the small boat, and saw eleve
persons drowned near him, without bein,
able to help them. He attaches censur
to the officers, ,notfor their general conduct
but the want of management in launchin.
the boat, and thus contributing to say
lllS. llC Cliluh3 GilelG tOUL Vi Vic CeiUIU pas
sengers were drowned and that TIE mali
loss was from the deck, where there wer
a large number of passengers, of whom n
account can be given.
The accident occurred when the wa
within some thirty or forty feet of tn
shore. The engineer maintained his pos
like man, and until hewas nearly immers
ed in the water. The other officers wer
all at their proper places at the time of tn
disaster. But the life presevers whic7
were On board are condemned as utterl
useless and unavailing for the purpose c
saving life. Proper inquiry should b
made into this matter.-&. Louis Re
publican.