Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-07-12

STEAMBOAT ExPLosIoS.-By the j
c. Fremont, Just arrived in port, We
learn the truth and narrowing particu-
lars of the explosion of the steamer Lex
ington, on her way from st. Louis to TIL;
port
n The accident occurred at about 8 oi
o'clock this morning, about five miles
above Stephensport. Her entire works
forward Of the wheel were blown away
the boat then took fire and burned to the
waters edge, and then turned bottom
up. Skiffs and flatboats put off from
the shore as soon as possible, and sue
ceeded in saving considerable numbers.
The D. A. Given was coming up, a
short distance behind her, and came in
sight in time to see the burning wreck,
and saved all she could pick up. She
then went back to Stephensport to bring
doctor up for the wounded. that were
on shore. The ]. c. Fremont came up
behind the Given, and rendered all the
assistance that could possibly be given.
The D. A. Given succeeded in saving
the baggage to a great extent.
The Fremont brought up eight of the
passengers. all badly wounded-among
them Mr.. Jno. Bernard, of this city, who
is very badly hurt; it is supposed that
one of his ribs is broken, if other and
more serious injuries have not been sus
tanned. Mr.. Jno. r. Hall, from Liber-
ty, Miss, who was on his way to Lex
ington, KY, to purchase some negroes
and stock for his farm, and who had
with him some two thousand dollars in
money, was also brought up on the FREE
mont, and is very much hurt, one of
his arms is broken, and perhaps one rib;
he states that the first thing he knew of
the explosion, he felt that he was going
up in the air in his night clothing
When he fell he struck upon the wreck,
or he would have been drowned. His
money is all gone to the last cent, and
he lies in a critical condition. He was
removed to the house of Mr.. Uttinger,
on Broadway, above First street.
Mr.. w. c. Hawkins, of Madison, In
diana, also came up. He is badly hurt;
his feet being terribly mangled. A
striker on the Lexington was also among
the cabin passengers of the Fremont
his hurts are rather slight. He cannot
give any account of the engineers, or
what became of them, and it is suppos-
ed they were lost. Three white men
came up on deck--two of them very
badly hurt. A colored man, fireman,
is very badly scalded, and his back ter
ribly cut up.
The chief clerk of the Lexington was
saved, but the books and papers were
all lost. No news could be had of Cap
tain Throop, and It's feared that he was
killed. The steward was also among
the saved, as well as all the ladies on
board.
How many were killed is not known
the number of passengers not having
been ascertained, nor how many of them
and the crew were saved. But it is
supposed that several were killed, either
by the explosion or in the flames, or by
drowning.
The officers and passengers on the
Fremont did all in the power of human
beings to alleviate the suffrrings of those
they brought up, as well as to save all
they could find on or about the wreck.
The few who had been taken ashore by
the flats and skiffs, were cared for by
the Given and Fremont, and the people
on shore.
We could not hear what was the i'm
mediate cause of the explosion, or how
it occurred; our informant could not
tell. He was so constantly engaged in
waiting on the wounded, and admins
tering to their wants, that he could not
gather full news. He is young man,
and deserves, as he will receive, the es-
teen of all who may hear his name,
which is Mr.. D. T. Watkins. The Off
GERS of the d. A. Given and j. c. Fre-
mont acted noble part.
The explosion occurring as it did, be-
fore day, and no one being up about the
boat except the pilot, the watchman, and
the engineer. with two or three fremen
the engineer being lost, or supposed
to be, and the pilot too--there was no
one to give information of the cause OF
the edisaster.--LouiSUiHe Democrat, June
80.