Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-04-22
= ~ The following account of the disaster to
the stermer Rescue, at the Rock Island Bridge,
We take from the Davenport Gazette of the IL tn

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81 81 - -.1.-.--.- IL II AstS3ta55
y ~ The following account of the disaster to
the stermer Rescue, at the Rock Island Bridge,
We take from the Davenport Gazette of the IL tn
inst 8aftss Us az alf4 aioj Brew ,Asy5ae s
The stern.wheeler Rescue, from the Ohio riv-
er, and heavily laden, attempted to pass thro'
the draw of the bridge yesterday aity rloon when
the wind was blowing perfect gale. She stem
med the current between the piersye welIan
had just passed almost entirely thro' the draw,
when squall of wind struck her and threw her
starboard side against the Rock Island side pier.
The current washed her head around, and she
thus laid broadside across the end of the pier,
the current careening her somewhat, and her
bow inclining down stream under the bridge; not
draw. Her steam whistle at once sounded
loud alarm, and citizens BY the hundred throng.
ed to the bridge expecting to witness its destruc
ton by fire again. The ferry boat J.Wilson at
once started to the rescue, having u number of
citizens ON board. When nearing the bridge,
she was advised to 60 up the draw and pull at
the stern Of the l,oat, but the person in charge
followed the advice of others or his own judg-
ment, and went to the bow, under the BRIDGE
to save passengers. We learn from acitizen on
the ferry boat that the greatest confusion exist
ed on the Rescue when they arrived, and no one
apparently appeared to take any lead. The fur
naces were crammed with fuel and doors closed,
threatening an explosion the boats chimneys
were near the bridge, and working still nearer,
threatening fire; the passengers made no at.
tempt to get on the ferry boat, while the deck
hands were Juggling baggage about in confusion.
There was no one to direct a cour:e of action.
There appeared to be an indifference to the re-
suit among those who should have been most in
terested-the officers Of the boat. Finally, q
line was fastened to the bow of the Rescue, and
she was swung around under the bridge The
beams knocked down her chimneys and pilot
house with a terrible crash, and slightly injured
her hurricane deck. She foated out, when the
ferry boat went to her proposing assistance
This was refused, perhaps rudely So. The per.
sons on the ferry were told they had already in
jurcd the boat enough without doing anything
more. The Rescue made her way TO the Island,
where she was laying yesterday evening. We
give these facts as they were told US by reliable
citizen. 'Aa-S'Q@f"3 H2a" Htsa' .a15-a
A passenger jumped overheard when the boat
first struck, and Aoated down the river. Several
skitfs put after him, and he was finally picked up
in the last stage Of exhaustion.
As the Rescue is a sternwheeler aud was hea.
Why laden, we cannot think the officers of the
boat were doing their entire duty to those inter-
ested in the safety of the craft and cargo, by at
tempting to pass the bridge while the wind was
blowing SO turiously as it did yesterday after
noon. More careful commanders have laid their
boats up days at this point, beiore the bridge
was built, rather than risk the Rapids above du-
ring high winds. This week two steamers laid up
day rather than risk the bridge during much
gentler breeze than blew yesterday. Whether
they would have laid up for the RAPIDS at the
present stage of the river we do; not know.
When certain steamboatmen declare the nayi-
CATION of this bridge is not safe at ai,y time and
then attempt to pass it during heavy gale, they
prove either that they do not believe what they
themselves say, or that they are too rash and
reckless to be intrusted With lives aud valuable
property. sss4;oi, yai,ra-.e ,... - .set.s 3.,,.