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

Orlg1n6te0 NOT
think the least blame bs attached to the captain
pilot NOR to his knowledge to any Of the employees the
6reman's room vas not FIRE proof Mr.. Agnsw was at
Boodgoods hsts foot Of Walnut street. from whence,
after receiving through the kindness Of Mr. b. change
Of clothing he proceeded to Camden to aay by his
sence the spprehensons Of his family regarding his
ty. Mr.. Agnsw's friend, Conductor Musehamp Was un-
able to swim, and 1t is feared that he Is lost.
The engine of the boat did quit his post until he
forced to fly by the heat from the burning of his
clothes. The pilot. Mr.. Carter remained ct hs post
til within few moments Of the falling of the whes
house.
Thomas Lewis and William Gallagher, members Of tn
vgant Engine Company deserve great praise for their
efforts to the passengers from the river both Of
whom jumped into the water saved two three who
were nesr exhausted
Miss Josephine Fieel, Of South Camden. was crossing
in company vita her father John Fiden. Both were
seher whom they jumped from the boat and the father
struggled hard to keep his daughter from sinking. She
was picked up; but he missing and 1t is supposed
drowned.
MR. WIN. CoPELAND's STATEMENT.
think there were fifty passengers, part of them
colored twelve fifteen females. The boat left
the wharf, and got fast in the ice in the canal They
then backed out and undertook to go up the channel
go around the bar. When they got up opposite
Arch street. the fire discovered blazing
smoke stack. The engine stopped and in two
minutes was started again. The pilot steered straight
for the Philadelphia Shore and we alongside Of
the foot Of Arch street, within about ght feet Of the
wharf The passengers then crowded each other
board to get ashore suppose that least two
drcwned. few children were ON board The boat
was all on fire then, and panic ensued. The flames
insupportabe and of the passengers clothing was
fire. was the pilot desk and the flames had not
r1olkA kAnkc- -.1~<L
with smoke and flames, that person could remain
here The pilot remained until the ,ke and flames
drove him ont. The engine run, and could not be
stopped, in consequence OF the fire.
Mr.. JAMES W. FERaUsoN's STATEMENT.
was the stern OF the boat when 1t started In COM
rany with Mr.. Howard fellow clerk. There were,
think at least sixty persons board. recollect Mrs
Alex Carman and Miss Sally Carman to have been among
them. When the fire broke ont determined to stay
where WAS long could, and fixed the collar Of my
overcoat around stayed at the stern until the
drtve me away, when slipped down and hung the
tiler chains Mr.. Howard and another gentleman
with me in the water hung until could sustain
myself no longer, when Icommtted myself to the water
with prayer that God would permit me to see my wife
and children once more.
struck out towards tho shore, but did not know
what shore, was bewildered swan until was
near the wharf, which people standing felt
was about to SINK when they cried out to to
give up. This encouraged mo- made fresh struggle,
and succeeded in catching . rope. My strength was
almost gone but hung on desperately and finally
landed, Of my finger nails being torn of by my
efforts to grsfp ths rope do not know what became
Of my companions who had hold Of the rudder chains
MR.. WIN. H. YEAroN's STATEMENT.
Mr. Yeston WAS at Bloodgood's HstsL cd very uneh
exhausted having been in the water half hour
Hs states that whom the fire discovered the greater
part OF the rushsd towards the bow of the
boat, which became very much crowded. He supposed
that there were . hundred at least ON board. Many
jumped overheard at the first alarm, and he imagnes
that most Of them struck BY the wheels of the boat
He remained board until the flames became insup-
portable. He finally tived down deep as he could
urge himself and succeeded in getting Of the Wheel
al hough a. he rising his hat struck by
the paddles BE then towards the shore and sue.
ceeded in laying hold Of the cutwater Of vessel He
called for help and was throwna rope which he fastened
n loop around bis shoulders, and drawn board
He thinks that at least halt Of the passengers
killed by the paddle wheels, burnt drowned There
we're several ladies on board.
THE DEAD.
Mr.. John c. Little, resident OF Camden was picked
up by three persons in Q small boat, dead. When the
body first 1t floating beneath the surface OF
the water His head and hands burned and breast
bruised. He taken to Vine street wharf and given
in charge of the Seventh district police who removed
him to the station house in Dhiwyn street. The de
ceased was harness maker, and worked in Q shop in
In Market street, PhiadelphiA. He thirty eight
years of sge and has left wife and three children.
Abraham Jamie, a wheslwright by trade in the en-
plcy Of Benjamin FrAr kim of Dock street, was taken
from the and removed to Newkbk's Hotel Arch
street wharf. He appeared to have been killed by
blow upon the forehead from the wsel the b,as or in
striking cake of ice He leaves wife living In Camden
cn Brege avenue.
Frederick Thompson, thirteen years Of age, was
drowned He resided with his father, James Thomp ,on
In Fourth street. Mickle In Camden. aud at the
time Of the calamity vita his father board
beat While the crowd rushing forward Mr.. T. had
his by the hand waiting favorable opportunity to
jump overheard. Frederick crying pi eousy, and
called for aid. The father and pushed of ths
boat and while the father escaped with sght injury to
the shoulder BY being struck by the paddle Wheel
the lost. Mr.. James Thompson is bookbinder,
and worked in Mppencott's bndery Fifth street. near
Race.
THE INJURED.
Mrs. Nixon wife OF Warwaser Nixon, residing in Cans.
den WAS on board with her husband and little daughter.
Her bonnet was burned Of her head, and black slk
dress and the under clothing nearly ell burned OF her
Her face breas arms hands and side terribly
burned that her life despaired Of She jumped
beard, and saved after sinking twice. Mrs. N.
taken to Barrs Hotel In Water street. above Race where
DIS. Bournonve, Harper and Gregg attended her. Her
daughter saved and with the mother yesterday
Mr. W. Nixon beside her when she jumped but after
reaching the water lost him. He has not been heard of
since
LSv Newton, Of Coopers hill, N. j. burned about
the face ears and legs and bruised the breast BY
being struck by the paddle wheel. He with his bro
ther John Newton, trusker, who ia supposed to be
injured. Levi seized bench, and after falling over
board went down twice before being struck by the wheel
After passing under the Wheel the bench sustained him
until taken of in q small boat The brothers returned
In the O'Clock train from New York having visited
that city to attend the funeral Of siates child They
went to the depot in New York at O'Clock for the pur
pose Of returning home, but found that that line had
been discontinued.