New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-17
FEARFUL ACCIDENT ON THE DELAWARE
URNlN0 OF A FERRY BOAT.
l. O s ) OF LIFE.
list OF TIE DEAD. INJURED. AND Ms6IYG
Fr,r I'll. pSTad,lpb,a L,Sge, rs,,a.

The Camden ferry boat. New-Jesey," belonging
TO the Philadelphia and Camden Ferry Company
with passengers to the number of nearly 100, mostly
residents of New-Jersey, started for Camden.
The boat was headed for the Canal, but on reaching
that point Captain COrson discovered that the
so janmed between the banks, that to 20 through
would be almost an impOssibllity.
The boat was then turned nOrthward, as to cross
the bar some distance above Smiths Island. When
nearly opposite Arch street wharf, the boat was dscov
cred to be on fire near the smoke stack. An effort
Was made TO check the flames, but without avail.
scene of wild excitement ensued the passengers all
pressing forward to escape the flames and TO be the
rst 10 jump ashore soon as the boat should touch
the wLaIf the captain 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 apparatus useless. strong
ebb tide was running and setting up the ryer, which
calsed the boat to sheer of FROM the wharf and float
ward the island again. Before this time however
most of tie passengers had jumped overheard, some
Of whom managed 10 get upon cakes of ice and Others
were taken from the water by persons in small boats.
Many Of the passenger, among whom were some
females, remained the boat until the burning of their
clothes drove them to leap into the water
Mr.. Samuel GoversOn of this city was on board with
lis wife, and child about fourteen months old; wa
separat,d from his wife when the fire was first dis
covered He Immediately made search for her; but
getting in the midst of the excited thrOng hurried
overheard without obtaining any knowledge of the
whereabouts Of his wife and child. He was soon
rescued and on reaching the wharf, he overoyed
10 hear that his wife had been saved and taken to the
Weatherby Tavern, but his child drowned Its
mother held on to ii until exhaustion compelled her to
renqush her hold
Mr.. Nixon Of Camden, was on board, with his wife
and child and both remained on the deck until their
clothes took fire. Mr.. Nixon was considerably burnt
She states that when her husband separated from
her and forced overheard, his coat all in blaze
She has not seen or heard Of him since.
Thomas III. Dudley, of Camden; ThOs. Hooper, of
Philadelphia; Mrs. Ellen stove, OF CamtS Ihos;
from the water in an exhausted state, and taken to
Newklks, where the proper remedies were applied to
prevent any serious results.
Mr. James NJ. StelDg Of Camden escaped with hs
life Notwithstanding the boat passed over him. When
taken from the water be could scarcely move.
Two men, named Edwards and Neagle, residing
about ak miles from Camden, managed to get upon a
cake Of ice and foaed until picked up by person in
q small boat. They were taken to the Cherry-street
Station House IN company with DIR. Cr.pin' who
was also rescued, where they remained during the night
Mr. John G.. Little of Camden was found dead, float
ipg upon the river Efforts were made to resusci-
tate life.
place of business is at No 80 South Second street, was
under the boat for short time, but escaped without
injury and was instrumental in saving one of the te
Mr.. James W Ferguson thinks there were about
sixtv persons on the boat and when the fire first
discovered he was talking with fellow clerk of his
named Howard. When the place became too not Tor
them, Ferguson, in company with Howard and some
gentlemen unknown to him, slipped over the steam
boat into the waer and held on TO the ndder-chalns
until nearly exhausted, when he let go and commenced
swimming for the shore. He was seen by persons on
Tie wharf and q rope thrown to him and thus saved
He could not tell what had become of his companions.
Mr. William Agncw, resident of Camden. give
a Terrific description OF the melancholy disaster, a.
follows:
MR. AGSEw's -TATENfNr.
I WAS standing cOnversing with Mr.. Muschamp,
Conductor on the Camden and Amboy Railroad, when
be discovered the flames bursting ont Ground the
s,noke.staok" Making an exclamation that
a. boa fire he forward to the
windward. He saw the Captain IN the pllothouse
with tie pilot. Almost the moment the fire was
dcovered, the boat was headed for the Arch
street wharf. wild, heart rending scene of ter
ror ensued. There were as nearly "a he could
remember. over one hundred persons on board,
including twenty or twenty five ladies. by a com
impulse they rushed to the wlndward 10 aVold
the intense heat of the flames, which had now en-
yeloped the whole after part OF the doomed ves-
sell Mr.. Agnew clung to the guards as long a.
be could Around him, frantcaly endeavoring to
wrench loose the stancheOns which were yet free
from the dcYouring element were tue houor-Strcken
Messengers, who but few moments before had been
20 full of hope and happiness. There was nothing
that he could see bench or two that could III
any way be made available as ioa or ite-preserver
The flames as the wind drove them about, increasing
in voume every moment, caught the dresses 6t the
women whose shrieks for assistance were appalling
One young girl, Miss Cannan, was the only one ne
recognized and the last be saw of her che was enVe-
oped in fire and screaming piteously: Ihe scene Was
now almost too awful and appalling for reality. one
by one-sOmetimes FIVE or SIX at a tine-tney made
the fearful leap from the burning wreck INTO the
scarcely less terrible chances OF death amld the ice
and water.
The boat had struggled mp to within twenty or
twenty-five feet of the wharf, when the pot-hou'e
fell and all command Of il being lost, II swung out
lesd down. There were at this time not more than
Fix or eight persons remaining on board mat ne coud
see. He leaped into tho stream, ana says his ohly
tear Of the moment wa, OF being struck py tne "nees'
He swan about one hundred yards, when he prov-
dontislly reached the bow Of cipperShip ana was
rescued by the promptness OF those on board. lie IS
positive that rot than ten minutes elapsed rom
the time Of the discovery OF the names arounu 9le
smokettack until the boat was eegpietey "ispPeu IN
FIRE. The captain, far a. he could notice III Tue con-
fusion, doing his utmost TO save the hves Oh tnoss
on board, and the pilot remained AZ me- post 10 Ine
The fire originated in the treTnans room; uOes hO1
think the least blame can be attached TO the captain
or pilot ror to his knowledge, to any OF the employees
The firemsn's room was not hre-prooi' mr Aghe"
was at Bloodgoods hotel foot Of Nanu'-street u11i
whence alter receiving through the'kndness OF Mr;
change Of clothing be proceeded 20 alhaeli -
by biz presence the apprehensons o; hs iaihuy
ing bis safety. Mr.. Agnew's friend, conductor ai-
champ. unable TO swim, and It s Ieareo lna' nc -
lost. ..,... ,.;I
The engineer Of the boat did not quit has post until
be was forced to fy by the heat from the burning OF
bis clothes. The plot MI Carter fenaineu az L Ii'
poet until within a few moments OF the ElhLe ot tHs
Thomas Lewis and William Gallagher, members OF
the yigilant Engine COmpany, deserve great pthSe
for tLtir enOrts 10 rescue the pdoscL 80 lSA -
10th If whom jumped into the water an&saVed '"o VI
three who nearly exhausted.
Mis- Josephine Fiden of South Camden was epo-.,
ing in company with her father, Joen flneL Dor sI
wsre together when they jumped ram the boat, and
the father struggled hard TO keep hs daughter nom
sinking She picked up, but be IS missing anu Il
i suppoeed was drowned
MR.yN. coPELASD's sTATEYEST.
think there fifty pa ssengers, par OF mem
eoored: twelve or fifteen females. The boat ei'
the wharf and go, fast in ie ice in the csnsL lhey