Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-12-09
DunaynsoeerTHH STEAMER Gypsy.

pid'and fearful succession upon the minds Oi
our people, and which have now swelled into
a frightful catalogue the tragic accidents of the
present year.
That which demands our attention now is
the burning and entire destruction of the New
Orleans and Bayou Sara packet Gypsy, which
occurred in the parish of Ascension, at the
landing Of D. F. KEssER, Esq.
Through various sources, from passengers
belonging to this place. we have endeayored to
get something like a connected and true state
ment of all the circumstances attending the
burning of the boat and the rad occurrences
which followed, but doubt that we have sue.
ceeded in our desire, SO confused and contra.
dictory have been the accounts we have heard.
1t appears that the boat was discovered to be
on fire near the boilers, about daylight, by a
passenger who vas about to be landed, who
fastened aft and saved his wife and one or two
more ladies'. aa .
Another account states that the officer in
charge Of the boat (he Captain having retired
from his watch) discovered that she was on
fire on the opposite side of the river to that on
which she was burnt, but allowed her to 90
over to the side on which she was destroyed,
thinking that she would be better protected
from the wind. ns .as
One of our citizens who made his escape,
necessarily in such haste as to leave his boots
behind him, states in substance that he was
first aroused by hearing rapid walking to and
fro in the cabin; and then hearing the cham.
ber.maid say to the lady passengers, sDont be
alarmed" he sprang from bis berth, got on
portion OF his clothing, ran ont into the cabin,
and discovering that the boat was on fire, was
the FIRST person that gave the alarm Iran to
a friends state-room to awaken him-found it
empty-hurried out, found the boat fastened
to the shore and his friend on the bank.
Our contemporary was on board, but we are
glad to perceive that he was not "caught map
ping" y.
The FIRE by this time must have progressed
rapidly-and fearful screams were heard from
the ladies' cabin. = e. E''iE'2 -
A report was now circulated that there was
q large lot of powder on board, and those who
had got on shore, scattered off some distance
from the boat. f1t g t<!!t1F ,.'
It was reported that Mr.. DuPIEss,s "a bros
Their Of Capt. DuPLEss1s of Grand River) saw
the lamented Dr.. HAcKRa start from his state
room, and then to rush into the ladies' cabin,
where was his daughter. He was neither seen
nor heard of again: both Of them must have
PeFishsd togsthsr-also his nephew. 4 youth,
son Of MI. DuHBAR of New Orleans: and
The servant girl Of d.. II. These are the
only persons of whom we have heard that are
positively to be lost. though there are
doubtless others whose names have not yet
,ol5s to light. l2ils# 81 a.1a
MI 6. w. BAYIEY, Druggist Of this place,
leard nothing Of the fire, "a understand, until
'alled from his berth BY the Captain. All for
vard was then in flames. With assistance, he
the stern Of the boat, and the wind at
he time fortunately veering the stern towards
he. shore, he leaped to the edge Of the water
ind made his escape. ~ sti4 ga 80
Both Of the clerks escaped, MI. NEWELL not
,sving time to put on his clothes. No money!
,or any Of the books Of the Office were saved.
A gentleman Of Baton Rouge, lost $4,000,
. gold, placed in the iron safe, which may,
however, be regained. The merchants Of that
lost largely 10 ffeighk balasol ~ 5
aSevssal Of the merchants Of this town lost
comparatively small amounts in freiaht--from
sums to two and three hundred dollars
'-Mr. GALLAGHER, We learn. being the great :
'st suftsrer, to the amount Of about S25oo. !
"a lot Of cotton on the bank, belonging 10 Z
mail planters on New River, and wood pile. 9
sere also consumed. .aaits. a..8a4 4sf fAml
Every attention was shown the passengers 4
y presidents near the scene ,.of. the disaster. q
We have heard the conduct Of Capt Tuos, i
JRE, on the occasion, spoken ofin the highest I
efnss19dlaHa is3ie3 as rs 5000 ~ ii ep8a Y
Before the boat was consumed tthe steame,
Wessgo9na, Capt BAac1AY,, passed. upland was Q
igselsdt TO stop. and the p-asssneers she Oh. q
mined. - ws understand, she charged Jfus da. !
WA head to bring to t6is place, She del
s srs . card Of remembrance lfos. such . dis, .
l9lay 81, generous fsslingi5 ssatl o. hsai =
Thus " have given 90 the incidents d ~ ;,
.arOt them. and fofbsar making any any comment. h
i ~ the loss Of q. HAcxzR and bic intereas,l 7
g daughter, . cloud sf sssrow has besnosut 3
this whole community, and deeply do IN y
'nnpsshiss and eondois With his now dialact. 3
family. d.. 8. hed besn : fesidsnt here q
'ly for about two .ysass, bot IL that time he I
q gained N enviabs ipoatssn'i u 81 pfofesL =
%, bot 4 lofisr 3 perhlpa I ! orentlem.n .