The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-17

fusion PREVAILS and 1t Impossible gather suthent tic
details Steamers immediately went to the assistance OF
the passengers but they had previously been saved by
small boats.
QUARTER PAST TEMP. NJ
Is asserted that not less than thirty lives have
been lost.
PARTICULARS OF THE CALAMITY.
From the Ledger Extra March l6
One of the most fearful disasters which happened
upon the Delaware since the burning Of the William
Penn, some twenty years ago, occurred Saturday
night, between and O'Clock.
The Camden ferry boat New Jersey, belonging to the
Phladslphia and Camden Ferry Company with passen.
gers to the number of nearly hundred, Mostly resi-
dents Of New Jersey, started for Camden.
The boat headed for the caual but on reaching
that point Captain Corson discovered that the
be almost An impossibiiy.
The boat then turned north ward, 30 to cross
the bar distance above Smiths Island. When nesr
l opposite Arch street wharf the boat discovered
be on 6Ie the smoke stack. An effort made to
CHECK the fames but without avail. soeae Of wild
excitement ensued the passengers all pressed forward
10 escape the flames and be the first jump ashore
a. soon as the boat should touch the wharf, the cap
tain having directed the pilot to steer direct for the
Arch street wharf When within about thirty feet of
the wharf the wheel house fell rendering her steering
setting up the river, which caused the boat to off
from the wharf, and float towards the island again. Be
fore this time, however most Of the passengers had
Jumped overheard some Of whom managei to get upon
cakes OF ice and others taken from the water by
persons In email boats. Many of the passengers among
whom some females remained the boat
burning Of their clothes drove them to lsAp into the
water.
Mr.. Samuel GoveIson OF this city, was on board With
his wife and child, about fourteen months old; was Sc
psratsd from his wife when the fire rst discovered.
He immediately made search fr her. but getting in the
dtof the excited hropg hurried overheard without
obtaining any knowledge of the wife
and child. He rescued, and reaching the
wharf he overjoysd to hear that his wife haa been
savd and taken to the Weatbsrby tavorn but his child
drowned. Its mother held to until exhaustion
compelled her to relinq 1i.h her hold.
Mr.. Nixon Of Camden, board with h,s wife and
Child and both remained the Geek until their clothes
took fire. Mrs. Nixon considerably burnt. She
states that when her husband separated from her
and forced over board his coat all In blaze. She
has not seen or heard Of him since.
Thomas Dudley, of Camden Thomas Hooper, OF Phil.
adslphia Mrs Ellen Stowe, of Camden Taomas stearns
and wife, and William p. Wilson, all rescued from
the water In exhausted state and taken to NewkrK
whore the proper remedies sppied prevent any
serious results.
Mr.. James n. stellng, OF Camden escaped with his
's notwithstanding the boat passed over him. When
tAksn from the water he could scarcely move.
Two men, named Edwards and Nesg'e residing about
ak miles from Camden managed to get upon . cake
Ice and foatsd until picked up by person in small
boat. They were taken to the Cherry street station
house. in company with Mr.. Crispin who vas also rel,
cusd where they remained during The night
Mr.. John c. Little, OF Amden, found dead floating
upon the river Efforts made to resuscitate Hte
Mr. IL Car hui ~,
place of business is at No. 90 South Second street.
under the boat short time but escaped without IN
Jury, and also instrumental In saving one of the
female passengers.
Dir. James W. Ferguson thinks there about sixty
persons on the beat, ard when the Are arst dis
covered hswas talknglwith sl clerk Of his. named
Howard When the place became hot for them Fer
guson, in company with Howard and gentleman
known TO him, slipped the into the water
and held to the rudder chains until nearly
when he let go and swimming the shore.
Fde was seen by persons the wharf, and rops thrown
TO him and thus saved. he could not tell what had be-
come Of his companions.
Mr.. VIM. Agnew q resident Of Camden gives terrific
description Of the melancholy disaster, follows
Mr.. AaNEw's STATEMENT.
was standing eo2versing with Mr.. Muschamp,
aastbe on the Camden and Amboy Railroad, wnsn he dis
c4vered the hames bursting out around the 'smoke
stack" Making N exclamation that the boat
dre he sprapg forward 20 the windxard He the
ca plain in the pilot house with the pilot Almost the
moment the ere discovered the boat was headed FIR
the Arch street wharf, Wild, heartrendius OF
terror epsued There were nearly he coud remem
her ever hundred persons board including twenty
or twenty ladies. By common impuse they rushed
70 the wndward avoid the intense heat Of the aamss
which had new enveloped the whole after part of the
doomed vessel Mr. Agnew clung the guards long
o. he could. Around him, francally endeavorfng to
the cheops which were yet free from
the de7ouring clement the horror stricken pas
tepgers who but few moments before had been ful
ol hope and happiness. Thers was nothing that hs
oou'd bench two that could in any way be
made avaiab float presever The flames as the
wind drove them easing In volume every moment
caught the dreses Of the women whose shres for as
sisanee were appalling One young girl, Miss Carman,
e only one he recognized aad the last he OF
her abe envsoped in fire. and screaming pitsousy
The WAS nov almost too awful and appalling for
reality. One by one-sometlmes Ave six at time
they made the fearful leap from the burning wreck
The scarcely less terrible chances Of death amid the ics
and water.
The boat had struggled to within tventy twenty
ave feet of wh whom the pilot house FELL and ali
oumand Of IL beng lost, swung ont head down. There
At this time not than six eight persons
n.n, ON board that he could He lsaped into tae
and says his only fear at the moment being
struck by the wheels. De swan about one hundred
,,as xbep he proyidentslly reached the bow Of dip
er shp and rcsoued the promptness Of those
board He is positive that not more than ten minutes