Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-02-03
Loss of the Steamer Niagara-Great Suf-
fering of Passengers

deputatlon OF fifty passengers who arrived in
our city on Sunday, by cars from Brownsville, and
in wagons from Randolph, waited upon us yester-
dap aud gave us detailed account of the accident
which occurred to the steamer Niagara, on the
night Of the 18th inst. 1t seems that the Niagara
left Cairo on the l4th inst, and although she had
to contend against heavy running ice, reached
island "a, which is little over 60 miles from this
city, on the night of last Saturday week; st mid
uigbt she grounded on the bar between the island
and the Arkansas shore, and all attempts TO get her
off from that till daylight proved abortive. The
Empress came to her assistance, but so deeply had
she sunk Ia the sand that she could not do her
any good, and passed up. The Aleonia also passed
her, was hailed, and remained alongside about fife
teen minutes, and then started on. The following
day gorge which had formed on Sunday evening,
= short distance above the island broke, and tue
river n short space OF time at least We feet
Owing 10 the boat having got out Of wood, il was
impossible to get up stesm and the sand having
accumulated TO such depth il was unable to move
her without the aid OF steam, and before wood
could be obtained, the river had fallen so much
that steam was OF no avail On Monday the boat
commenced careening, aud Captain SPOTS threw
overheard large quantity of freight. On that
evening the boat commenced breaking, aud, as
described TO US by one Of the passengers the
scene witnessed that night was most exciting; no
one slept, and at the breaking OF a chain (of which
several broke the greatest alarm was depicted on
all faces, aud Simultaneous rush to the other
end OF the boat from whence the noise proceeded.
| On Tuesday the life boats were got out and some
sixty gentlemen and twenty-five ladies we're land.
ed on the island. - -
This island, which is some four or five miles il
length, bad only Eve cabins on il, two Of which
we're occupied BY wood-choppers, and the other
three vacant. The best cabin was fitted 10 for
Ihe ladies' some six or or eight mattresses having
been brought from the boat-this cabin was but
fifteen feet square; the Others were still smaller;
10 one, which was given the euphoneous name of
"Rugsby Hall, twenty-six gentlemen housed they
bad no bedding, aud with the exception OF blanks
ct apiece, had DO covering save their Ordinary
clothing. SO small was the fireplace that the par.
~ divided itself into sections who took ,urns about
warming themselves
In The other cabins, although not so much crow.
ded, similar scenes were enacted. The other Of
the cabins were named 81. Nicholas Hotel, Cali
House, and st. Charles Hetel,' ct the latter OF
which the ladies' putsup. What provisions they
had, came from the boat, and IN 'Rugsby Hail. the
men die their own cooking. For two consecutive
nighis, penned up as they were, Jared very little
better. On Friday the life boat was convened 10
the chute between the Island and Tennessee shore,
and about sky OF the gents coon found themselves
az Randolph. The leo was running heavy, and the
ladies' not crossed. THEY remained on the
Island, aud will be web cared for BY Captain
Spots
The Niagara was two wears old the day on which
she With this disaster and was valued At $500
600. She was Of this finest boats on the Missis-
sippi, AID vas desefvedy popular. She has been
extremely fortunate during the abort time she has
run. aud vas viewed by all sseanboatmen as
Incorporating boat. she sas owned by AessFs.
Sheridan, Benedict, Capt Keys, T.. W. Hunt and
Capt Spoiis, All OF Louisville. She bad been insur
ed for sac 600, bai the policy Of insurance expired
on the 10TH the day she met wish the disaster.
Her commander, supposed that her policy Of insur.
ance had been renewed. The Niagara Is broken In
Two al the wheeirhouse, and bad over FIVE feet
water 10 her hold, on Friday last She lies partial
y aeross the channel her bow being Ia deep water
bai thrse-fonrShs OF Der hull being inbedded IN
the sand She viii be a total loss it Is Supposed
with the exception Of her machinery, which may
be saved About !, 600 bbls Of Flour, 1900 sacks
Of Cora, several bales OF Couoa and a quantity Of
Whisky, Pork and Hay. we're thrown overload.
About enc hundred and dity head Of cattle. nules
and h0rsea we're. on beard when she passengers
len; Is wouta depend upon The speedy arrivsl o. a
bOat whether OF no they vOGla be saved. --Asuss
pAis Afpsai.
DElrH os rua Hes AxDsEw erxvrssox.-
We learn from the Cllaslolsyills (Fz.l Adre.
cate, thai the Hon. Andrew stsvsason aisd 81
Bleahelm. bis residence in AlhsmaEle, ai . o.
elcsk on Spaaag night, Ia bis T4lh year. 0
pusuueni1f Tie ddseeats stztes that Mr..
Siesenson's hsalsh bad bsea falling for many
nonshs Last fsEl hls nefvonssyslsm uss oou.
adsrably shakes By painful injury 10 anervs
ofhi baud. Ills fflends we're prepared loex.
ileel bis dehlh q any Iaomeni.