New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-08
The Burned Steamboats, a. Memphis.

From the Memphis Wing Of the Sd inst, we
learn the full particulars of the burning Of the
ill-fated steamers Geo Collier and Mayfowsr
at the Memphis landing during the night Of the
ID inst. The fire broke out on the Geo Collier
just as she was landing, and before the lines
were fairly made fast. The FIRE first appeared
from small closet Immediately under the for
ward steps, and in few moments the large
boat was almost entirely enveloped in flames.
We now quote the Whig's account
Capt Burdett who in command, left the roof and
went below to the cabin, and gave the alarm He imme
Of whom were asleep and tried to get them out
but the flames and smoke drove them back leaving them
chance to escape but BY small flight of steps near
the water closet at the Of the boat BY almost SUPER
human efforts he succeeded in ssfng all of them and get
ting them of on ths wharfboat The male passengers
and portion Of the oacers and crew had them
selves by jumping off into the river and others TO
the lower deck Of the wharf boat.
The George Collier had landed on the inside of the
magnificent packet Mayfewer her bow extending about
midship Of the latter and soon that also
enseloped in flames. The flames also extended to the
in less than ten minutes from the first outbreak OF the
names the three boats of fre, the flames
towering high above the tall chimneys Of either boat
The most mournu ps Of the disaster is the fact that
some ten or twelve human lives are supposed to b lost
some Of them by being burned and others by drowning
after jumping the river. The George Collier had
sos forty cabin passengers most Of whom asleep
in their rooms and in the hurry and confusion OF the
moment hardly knew what they about Several Of
those who saved considerably injured Jump
ing off the boat Many Of the saved were taken 10 the
Gayoso their where they were kindly
provided for by the gsntlemsnly proprietors. -.
Neither the officers nor passengers of the Col
lier saved any thing but what they had on, and
the books and papers Of both boats we're lost.
The entire estimated at not less than so5ooOo
The Collier valued at S35eG6 insured for
The May cost fully Sl00o0o and was insured for
about $4,000 Wharfboas Mary Hunt was valued at
$4,000 and Messrs. Duyal, Ageo & Co. had stock Of
goods amounting to $4,000 had insurance for
only Is 600. larger portion of the insurance will fall
upon Offices at st. Louis New Orleans elsewhere
1t is quite probable that the offices here will suffer mate
rally on the cargo Of the Golfer S445s3 q
The Geo. Collier had just landed from New Orleans and
had some four hundred OF freight mostly groceries,
for this place and NaahEle on beard, not pound Of
which saved The Mayfover had soae 1000 sacks Of
board which she had taken in at Bradeys land
ing Her cargo from New Orleans, except sugnx
and moasses on the had been delivered ON Satrr
day. There was also considerable amount Of forward
ing goods on the whsrfboat In addition TO their wharf,
boat, Messrs DuvaL Alsse Co., lest thar bakery
The lsss night was awfuy grand, and beesars all
description The sparks blew to great distances over
the southern part Of the city At time Houards
Gotten shed WAS in imminent danger, as slse the
whsrfbost of A. L Davis Co, The Fire Department
ont and rendered all the assistance they could We
are unable to give any iartner Description ~ sas ase
hours O'Clock, a. H.