The Washington union., 1857-06-09
-. IL c.,...... -.
From the Galveston Ncws-exra
TERRIBLE CALAMITY BURNING OF THE toUISI-

News OFFICE May 3l--We have TO record one Of the
most dreadful caiamites that have ever HAPPENED In this
country. The steamship Louisiana, Captain Sheppard is
now total wreck having been burned six eight
miles to the southeast Of this city In the Gulf about
o'clock this morning.
Our citizens aroused by the unusual fire alarm as
the fire was in full sight The rst intelligence received
was by the arrival Of boat from the unfortunate steam
r. about sunrise bringing some dozen passengers e
low-citizen, Mr. Grover, being among the number.
Mr. Grover says that he had berth the starboaTd
upper deck that the first alarm was persons asking
where the fire at about o'clock he stepped out
of his ROOM and discovered smoke, but fire passed
round the stern to the larboard side where he from
twelve TO twenty preparing to launch the quarter
boat moment after the flame burst up amidship;
turned 10 the starboard side a few lowering down
the quarter that side went to his ROOM picked
up his shoes and coat and returned and slid down with
others into the boat the larboard side The engines
still running but fortunately the boat lowered
without filling saw no remaining on that side of the
steamer.
After getting adrh they looked TO discover if they
could find any person TO take board, but could
body. There twelve i'm the boat all passengers
cept the second mate Andrew Smith, TO whom Mr.,
Grover they all greatly indebted for their
Mr.. g. learned from the boat that the til
er-rope must have broken probably burned offin
consequence of which the steamer unmanageabe at
the OF the fire. The first effort of the
captain and officers appeared to be to reach the reen-
gine, but did not succeed All communication between
the forward and of the boat was cut off by the
fire, which must have broken out near the furnace.
The larboard boat being launched when he went
into the other He persons on the forward part of
the steamer throwing things apparently the hatch
doors, Sc, for the purpose of saving themselves The
working of the engines caused the steamer to leave the
boat rapidly that those in the boat unable to
or hear anything distinctly. The boat landed the
beach, the point about sunrise, where Mr. Grover
landed fifteen years ago. his return from the Santa Fe
expedition.
List of of those who saved in the boat with
Mr. Grover:
Mr. Cleveland wife, child, and servant of Iavaca
Dr. Arnold of Missouri Mrs. Elizabeth Hart, of Corpus
Christi; w. II. Friend and servant; Richard Smith, I'd
mate Miss A. f. Frisbee, of New York Mr.. Kennedy,
and c. w. Grover.
The steamship Galveston reached her wharf about ~
a. m, and, among others, brought Mr. Charles II.
Hughes, the purser OF the Louisiana. MIR. Hughes con-
firms Mr. Growers statement regards the origin of the
fire, which broke out in the freroom 20 minutes past l.
lie states that the passengers all asleep when the
fire broke out that the larboard boat capsized and
thinks six eight persons were lost at the time
Mr. Hughes and the engineer, Mr. Finn jumped over
board upon the hatch which they had thrown over
He says at that time there thirty around him
boards and furniture they had thrown over. They
now all soon separated. Mr.. S. Miller, of New York,
by Mr. Hughes, floating with his life-pre-
server.
The Galveston came up TO Mr.. Hughes just at day
break, and picked up him and Finn, and also Mr. Miller.
Subsequently the Galveston picked up the following
SONS Mr. M W. Garrison; Mr. Clarke, the mate; Mr..
Dusson the carpenter Mr. EARLY; brother OF Mr. Early
drowned, and his body picked up; Sam Walker the
pantryman and John Driscol, the cabin boy. Two fire.
men also picked up by the Galveston.
Mr. Hughes thinks there about so passengers and
negroes in all; 25 Of them in the cabin. The books
and everything lost, and Mr.. Hughes only
member few of the names, viz: Lacey Jones and lady,
Mrs Mitchell, Mrs H. Hart, Miss Frisbee MIR. Millhousc
and brother, Mr. Cleveland lady, child, and two SER
wants, of Lavaca; Mr. Mills, of Lavaca; Colonel Balm
bridge United States army; Mr. Frckland Mr.. Aaron
Clark l. Eel and the steward of the boat (who also
saved by the Galveston
Officers Henry Sheppard captain; S. d. Clark, mate;
Andrew Smith, second mate; Richard Finn, engineers
John Thompson second engineer; James Brown watch
man; -, steward, saved:) Ed. McManus, second stew
ard
Lydia Travcrs, chambcrmad, drowned IL scamen
and emen, boys in cabin and cooks, supposed to
! be lost.
Mr. H. says there are now some fifty sixty persons
there few dead bodies and pieces Of the wreck
! in sight. A Mr.. Hamilton, an old man, picked up
drowned The Galveston also picked up the dead bodies
of Mr. Mills, brother-inaw and partner of Mr. Ceve
land, and Mr. Millhouse
The plotboats and several other sail vessels still
econnotng the Gulf in the vicinity of the unfortunate
steamship in hopes of finding others of the passen-
gers. We must await their arrival before can give
any satisfactory information Indeed, fear it will be
some time before shall have the of all those
who have been thus suddenly launched into eternity. 1t
! is believed that Captain Sheppard is among the lost
There a large mail board, and we hear of sew
eral large of money also lost belonging to passen
! gers.