Nebraska advertiser., 1856-10-25

AWFUL CALAMITY.
BURx1xG OF THE SrnAN NER NIAGARA.
-FoRTY OF FIFTY LIVES LOsr.-The
steamer Traveller, from Sherboygan,
brought to this city yesterday mprning,
the terrible intelligence Of the burning
Of the steamer Niagara, off Port WASH
ington, on "Wednesday afternoon, about
4 O clock. The Traveller also brought
fifteen Of the passengers and eight Of
the crew, who were rescued from the
burning wreck, from them we learn the
following particulars
The Niagara left Collingwood at 2
o'clock on Monday afternoon Inst, with
about one hundred and fifty passengers.
She supplied the place of the keystone
State, which, having been disabled in
the gale Of Tuesday last, had to remain
for repairs. The Niagara proceeded
safely as far as Sheyboygan, where
she landed about 25 passengers,
principally steerage.
She left Sherboygan at 2 o'clock,
Wednesday afternoon, and about two
hours afterwards, while four or FIVE
miles of Port Washington, fire was
discovered by passengers, in the cabin,
proceeding from the engine room.
The alarm was instantly given by the
passengers, but such Consideration
seized every one, that no efforts seemed
to be made to stay the cOnAagration.
Capt. Miller was asleep at the time in
his cabin, having been up all the night
before. He was Immediately awaken
ed, and rushed out on deck. Attempts
we're made to use the hose, but it was
found to be useless. Several of the
passengers after recovering their
i presence of mind somewhat, began to
break down the doors and wooden
work and to throw it overheard. The
two boats on the hurricane deck, were
Immediately ordered to be lowered, but
in the excitement and confusion, they
were thrown overheard, Immediately
capsized and were rendered useless.
The stern and quarter boats were
lowered, and all capsized but one, in
which about twenty passengers were
saved. Large numbers of passengers
paralyzed with fear at the first an
} nouncement of the fire, jumped over
board and were drowned. Mothers
threw their children overheard ant
then wildly followed them. Every one
: seemed perfectly insane with fear, anC
) threw themselves over without the
slightest attempt to escape.
Capt. Miller and FIVE or six Others
saved themselves by clinging to tht
\ wheels until ilsuccor came. The TraVelel
/ was about ten miles distant, and dis
: covering the fire Immediately put Of
Q to their rescue. She succeeded afte,
e great efforts iE rescuing thirty of tn,
passengers. All the saved give tn,
0 captain great credit for his noble con
8 duct. The Traveller towed the Niagar,
o some distance, but was unable to brine
# her into shoal water and therefore lef
g her.
Capt. Miller stopped at Port Wash
; ington to take care Of those who wer,
s saved. A majority Of the passenger
G were woman and children. The planl
o life preseryers were all thrown over
e board and many were found clinginc
) to them. At the time Of the fire tber,
s was a heavy ground swell, but it wa
e not very rough. The wind blew yer,
d cold.
e The propeller Illinois also picked VI
It about thirty passengers and LANDED
It them at Port Washington, it was i'm
1 possible to get their names. Seyera
sail vessels came promptly up to tn,
% assistance Of the Niagara, and did goo,
l. service in saving life. The life boa
n from Port Washington was lfkewisl
r promptly on hand and rendered timell
= aid.
st 1t is impossible to tell how the fir
of originated. When first discovered b
the officers of the Traveller, the boa
was completely enveloped in q clou
= Of smoke. The fire appeared to burs
II out forward Of the wheel on the ata1
e, board side. 1t is supposed that it frs
broke out near the engine room Th
t. 1st engineer and steward were not O.
1t board. From all the facts that coul
1t be learned, most Of those cornposin
is the crew were saved
d There is a painful rumor in circula
p ton in regard to the fire being th
4 work of an incendiary. Tt ID state
a. that on the hepreyious trip Of the Niagar;
e. an anonymous letter addressed to th
es steward, was put into the captain
he Office, which letter warned the stewar
i'd to keep off the boat, as she would B
" burned. This letter, our informan
ed states, is now in the possession {
sh Captain Miller. IT is hardly possibl
es to conceive Of human being so de
n. praved as to be capable Of perpetrai
in ing so diabolical an act; vet, If thi
g. statement should prove correct.
be affords foundation for such a belief.
n Ameng the saved was one old lad
whe was found clinging to a plank lif
Preserver, nearly exhausted, With he