The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-04
Terrible Calamity--Over $50 Lives lost
Burning Ofthe steamer MOntreal--Cap-
tain and Grow saved. ~, 81 8

Terrible Calamity-Over $50 Lives lost
Burning Ofthe steamer MOntreal--Cap-
tain ana Crow saved. E,f1Fl 8r
QUEBEc, June q.
| The steamer Montreal was burned last
hight near Carvings, about IL m les above
| this city.
There were about 500 passengers on board
-mostly Scotch enigrants of whom about
l75 were rescued by the steamer Napo con.
1t is believed that many swan ashore and
we're saved in various ways, but It is certain
~ many as 200 perIshed in the flames or
were drowned.
MIR. Phillips, of Three Rivers, is among
the drowned.
ta SECOND DESPATCH.
The Captain of the Montreal, II. Rudolph,
md the Crew, are among the saved. Re-
porters have just returned from the steamer
Napoleon, which has arrived with the saved,
and they are assured by those on b ard that
the number Of the lost will fully reach $50.
Particulars OF the Burning OF the Mon.
..a treal. ~. .,
QUEBEC, June 81.
tH ste amer Montreal, one of the regular
steamers running between Quebec and Mon
trcai, lett this port yesterday ut z. NJ,
having ON board between 400 and 500 pas
sengers, a majority of whom were Scotch and
other emigrants recently arrived from Eu-
rope. Nothing unusual occurred after leav-
ing the wharf until the Montreal rounded a
point of Cape Rouge, about twelve or fifteen
miles above this city, when the wood work
near the furnace was discovered to be ON
fire.
Almost the very moment the smoke was
discovered. the flames broke forth causing the
utmost CONSERVATION among the crowded
passengers. The fire Was discovered about
five o'cloci, when the steamer was nearly
abreast Cape Rogue. Every effort was made
to arrest the flames. The boat was STONED
s" as to lesson the draught, but finding it i'm
possible to save her, Capt. Rudolph ordered
her to be run towards the shore. The Off
GERS and crew then exerted themselves to get
1ut the life boat.
The flames spread with the most astonish-
ing rap'dty, and in few moments after the
boat began to move forward. the widest con.
sternat'on and despair prevailed throughout
the ship. and numbers Of the passengers
threw themselves over board, and were in |
most cases drowned. Fortunately the steam |
er Napoleon also bound for Montreal, was
but few miles in advance of the burning
boat and as soon as the fire was discovered |
put back with all speed succeeded in rescu-
ing from the burning wreck 127 passengers. |
Capt. Rudolph and the purser of the Mon
treal were amongst those who threw them |
selves into the river. They being excellent
swimmers, succeeded in reaching the steamer
Alliance, and were saved.
1t Is quite possible that others may have |
saved them elves by swimming, but as the |
steamer became unmanageable, when con-
siderable distance from land, there is no doubt |
that those who threw themselves from the !
burning boat found watery grave Sixteen .
of those saved died within a short time after t
reaching the deck Of the Napoleon, and from
present information it is believed the total !
loss of life by this terrible disaster will not
fall short of 300 t. 400.
The steamer Alliance arrived here this of. !
ter noon with As dead TO lies. and another boat |
known to have recovered 60 bodies. We !
have not been able to learn the names of any |
Of those lost except Mr.. Phillips of the extern
sive numbering firm of Norcross & Co. of Three !
Rivers. The Montreal had on boarl 258 |
e'niyants c ntly ON Glasgow, together
wi h several American passengers.