The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-07-31

Fros, lss Detroit Free Pres. of the lsih.
Disasser-E1u rning Ofthe sseam'
r. Northern 1natana-Great loss OF Life.
The steamer Northern Indiana. OF the Mich
gan and Southern Railroad line. bound IRON I
Buffalo TO Toledo. took FIRE Yesterday forenoon,
about II O'Clock. when near Port M Telee, ?
aud was burned to the water, edge. The exis- F.
tcnce Of the fire was first discovered by smoke
appearing in the freehold. Notice OF this Was
promptly given 10 the engineroom, but imme-
daiely the flames burst out on the main deck
around the steam-chimbeys and also about the
bulk heads OF the engine. In a moment more
they had run up, "a it were, the engine into the
cabin The woodwork OF the cabin and engine
room burned like finder In very short time
from the first discovery Of the fire the steamer,
her whole width In the vicinity OF the middle
gangway. was in blaze. The wheelsman-
who. to his credit le it said, stool manfully at
his post while his services were needed-imme-
diateIy headed her for the shore. some seven
miles, we believe. distant, bat, before going
great distance her engine stopped working.
The flames spread rapidly aft. driving those on
that portion Of the steamer to the necessity OF
jumping into the lake. The flames extended
got ready, but as she was cleared from the
deck. preparatory TO being let 36wn, it was
filled 80 full OF frightened persons that il broke
loose from the cranes, precipitating them into
the water and then falling on them, causing
probably all Of them TO lose their lives. 1t is
said that. among those who hurried into this
boat. there were several Of the crew. Three
negro coal beavers were among these One Of
H., al k., T.L. Nt,a
ond Engineer, of this city. and his life thereby
saved Frank Farrar, first Engineer, used
every effort 10 get ont Of the boat some of those
who overloaded IT, We could not learn that
any other boat was lowered; as they were most
y in the vicinity Of the wbeel-house, it is hard
ly possible that they could be approached, on
account Of the flames
Capt. Phc,,t, the commander Of the North
ern Indiana. was not on board, being detained
at Buffalo by illness The first mate, W. II.
Wetmore, bad command. and proved himself
emmntiy worthy Of ,hc trust confided in him;
acting judciously and bravey. and being the
last man TO leave the burning vessel. The sec
ond mate, the first and second Engineers, and
others OF the officers and the crew, did every
thing in their power to assist the passengers.
! The steamer Mississippi, Capt. Langley, oil
the Michigan Central Railroad line, was from
FIVE to seven miles distant when the Northern
Indiana took fire. Capt Langley Immediately
headed toward her, ana MADE oil possible speed
! to get to her assistance He had seven small
boats ready to shove of. the gang planks Of the
steamer run out &c. He approached within
about three hundred feet of the Northern In
diana, and sent his boats manned by the crew
and some oil the passengers OF the MISSISSIPPI
to take on those passengers remaining on the
steamer, picking up as they went along many
IN the water. IL Is supposed that no one was
burned to death on board OF the unfortunate
vessel. The propeller Republic and two or
three sail vessels also fastened to the relief ol
those on the Northern Indiana; all doing every
thing IN their power to aid them. Every per
son floating in the water was picked mp as
promptly as possible.
The scene on board the steamer at the break
ing ont OF the fire was terrible one. The roar
ing and cracking Of the flames as they spread
with fearful rapidty. the frantic shrieks OF wo-
men, the cries Of children, the struggles OF men
To save those near and dear TO them, were indie
scribably appalling. Some Of the passengers
neglected to use life prescrvers, &c, furnished
them, being from fright or other cause entirely
helpless. Others were perfectly selfposscssed
and took means To ave themselves with great
GOODNESS. Some OF these latter were in the
water on planks, when the Mississippis and
Republics boats were busy in their good work
and insisted that Others who were more in need
OF all should beassisted before themselves. Onc
person. belonging to the crew, we believe, by
some means got water-tight box-used to
contain cables when coiled up-into the water
and getting into II toated az safely and com