New-York daily tribune., 1856-07-22
THE LAKE ERIE DISASTER.
LATEST PARTICULARS.
LIST OF THE LOST.

following additional particulars in refsence to the
burning of the Northern Indiana:
The steamer Plymouth Rock Capt Ralph of the
Michigan Central Railroad Line, arrived here this
morning, and brings the only particulars to be had
concerning the burning Of this noble vessel. From
Capt Ralph we Learn that he hailed the steamer Mis-
sssippi bound TO Detroit, short time after she lett
the scene of disaster He noticed the flags Of the Mis-
sssppi at half mast that her small boats were hung
upon the cranes and suspected that something was
wrong Capt. X. checked his vessel, and brought up
as near to TIE Mississippi possible in order to sscer
tain what was the houble At the time, he was o. on
duty on the liot house, Capt. Langley, Of the
Missis ippi, and amid the din aud confusion which
prevailed among the passengers of the latter boas,
most of whom were taken from the wreck OF the i'll
fated vessel could only learn that fire originated,
about IL o'clock il the woodwork about one of the
cbimneys. The flames spread rapidly and ere fifty
minutes had elapsed the Northern Indiana was burned
to the waters edge.
Mr. Wetmore, the fret mate, who was on duty as
commander in the absence Of Capt. Pheatt, who has
been confined for lime TO bed in this city by severe
iness exercised almost superhumau effort. to save the
lives Of all his Passengers, and was the last one to
leave the vessel He stood noby at his post throw.
ing cabin doors, lfe-preserveri, stools, pieces OF
plank, fendeis, guards, and everything that would
buoy up person the water, to the passengers, who
were wild with excitement and ieaped oveiboard IN
masses. His men, too were kept in perfect suejscton
during the fearful period and but few exhibited any
symptom Of ipsubOrdinaton. The weather wa, pleas
ant at the time Of the accident, and dead calm pre-
vailed, and lie tie opinion Of Mr. Netmore that had
the ieckessness exhibited by some of the passengers
in leapipg overheard been avoided none OF the pas
s,ngers would have been lost. During the exciting
period some of the fremen and deck hands launched
of the small boats into which several jumped and
il is thought they drawn under the revolving
wheels and were lost. OF the number were
females, however. 49,
Capt Ralph il forms us that when he hailed the Mis-
sissppi the guards of that steamer were fairly black
III MI ia md Var
waved and he was fairly de sfened with cries of tell
"So-and. So I am safe," "be sure and let my wife
"know all is right" &c, &C. But he could not dii'
lii gush ery He further states that the lake was
covered with pieces of timber, and sections of the
wreck, sufficient to have saved twice the number OF
aboard Of the Northern Indiana. The yes
,el was towed into shore by the propeller Republic,
ard lies in Pigeon Bay, just above Point au Peee
is entirely unnjured ard if tue weather proves favor
able, can be brought into port without much difficulty
IL regard to the number lost, Capt. X states that
from what he could gather from the people on tue MIS-
,issppi, the number teegraphed last evening greatly
exaggerated, though the correct estimate cannot, at
present be made, the trip sheets Of the clerk were
destroyed Of the LADY passengers on board, not one
was ost OF the two fremen two deck hands and
a watchmsn missing. There were several OF our
citizens board, but are known to be among the
lOtt. One person, taken from the water by a small
boat belonging to the Mississippi died shortly after
being brought on board, whether from exhaustion or
fright it is not known-nsme not learned.
We in hopes to present our readers further par
iuss to be received in our regular teegraphlc ds-
patches this afternoon. Amid tue excitement prevail.
log on such an OCCASION it is almost impossible to get
at correct statement Of the facts and We must there
6re wait until tie history of the whole affair is calmly
sed cut. In regard to the report in circulation that
the Northern Incana and mississippi were racing at
the time the fire broke out is entirely without foun.
daioD the latter long way nthe rear and not
atten ptpg to catch up.
Two of those who were on board the n. l., we're
brought down by the Ply mouth Rock-a waiter and q
6rt but from them could get nothing definite,
tbt r statement being confused one.