Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-22

Instruction Of the steamer -'e@ Jersey oy IlFe
FEARFUL loss of Life.
From the Ledger, March 1911
T. ( seldom that so painful duty falls to
.,, hi os that we have now entered upon, the
..,o,,l;rr of the destruction of the steam fer
-. Io,t New jersey by fire, attended with
s.rfnI loss of life, number of our most res
,n,aj citizens, and of the neighboring city
r fr,mlen, nave fallen victims to the devour-
H., clement, or sunk beneath the dark waters
fth. Delaware. The particulars of the ter
-lJe calamity are as follows =
A. halfpast eight o'clock on Saturday even.
ier the steamboat New Jersey of the Phila-
;TTtia and Camden Ferry Company, started
t,g the foot Of Walnut street, for Camden
having on board, according to the estimate of
rl,an Corson over one hundred souls, quite
number being women and children.
The boat passed through the canal, but on
r2har the eastern channel, was unable to
r-ppal further, in consequence of the ice
s.. MAS then run back to the western channel
anil up along the island, the intention of the
,7, being to take her round the island
WHEN nearly opposite Chestnut street, the
Startling crr Of - fire ~ was heard, and in a
moment all was CONSERVATION and terror. The
,a-4ks of the women and the cries of the chill
lea FILL fearfuIly on the ear, and were calcu
a.,i to appal the stoutest hearts Oh board.
The passengers made for the bew of the boat
ml there is little doubt that many were forced
se-board at that time. Though the fire
y,.al rapidly, the cRgincer and pilot botl
5aaaed at their pests, and the captain, VIM
ta,son. maintained his self-possessioR, See
M that an attempt to run the boat on the is
hai, With the passengers at her bow, and tft
val blowing fresh frem the northwest, must
attended with fearful loss of life, and hop
10. to be able to reach the city side, the boat
1eadcd to the west, and run across~
When near Arch street, within ten or fif
\ ucn feet Of the shore, she became unmanagea
be- and taking sudden turn towards the
stream, the passengers were seized with fresh
,arm, and dozens leaped into the water, anC
ono upon the cakes Of ice which were float
ag about the bow. These did not prove oi
giicient strength to bear those who fell upor
M, aud they were precipitated into the
NJ aram
1t Is Impossible to convey an idea ef tn,
\ 'shtiul character of the scene at this period
Many we're seen by the light of the burnn!
N steamer, struggling in the water, aud thei
rrs for help fell painfully upon the ears 0
hose unable to afford assistance.
VI We annex full and correct list Of thos
III whose bodies have been recovered, with thei
',le, Of residence, 1t will he seen that tn
lead and missing Number fifty-fve, New dis
ro7e'es Of missing persons are made daily, an(
y the time the worst is known, We are con
need The loss of life will be found TO be no
fS than sixty,
abraham Jamie, Camden.
John {. Little, South Camden.
James NJ. Shermer, Fourth street Camden
59hR s Newton Cooper's Hill, y. j.
Mrs, Shade, Christian street near Sec Phila
# Emory Riley, (colored,) Camden.
Nary Ann Diggs, (colorcd, )South Camden
Alexander Claxton, South Camden.
James Williams, (colored, South Camden
James McCaffrey, Camden.
francs Fitzpatrick, Fifth and Buttonwoot
Is Phla.
Jacob Campbell, (colored, South Camden
Francis Barl, Twenty second ward, Phila
SfGdsFIck Altemus Thompson, Micklc st.
4yer kelnbnrg, South Camden.
lanes "a A. kennard, colored, South Camden
N MOTIFS Baly (colored, South Camden.
henry johnson, (colored, South Camden