True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-07-21
Of the Arctic and great west.

Burning of the Arctic and great West.
Loss to the Marine Raii0Gy.-orig
ofthe Fire unknOwn.
The Alarm bells called out the fire
department at abouI7 o'clock, last eve-
ing. the suppOsition being that the origin
OF the fire was within the city precincts.a
lofty column of smoke towering up seem.
ingly in the neighborhood Of the "Point." :"
On repairing to the supposed scene of
confagration, however, il was dicoYered
that the smoke proceeded from steam.
boat in flames, lyiag at the dock of the
Marine Railway, short distance below
'Saw Mill Rum" and the rumor spread.
ing through the city, thousands assembled
on the wharf along water street. excited
spectators of the melancholy catastrophe.
As it was considerable distance TO the
place where the boats laid, and the Jour
ney would necessarily be on foot, no en-
CINE left the city, and but one or two
hose carriages were taken down, though
it turned out there was the greatest need
of assistance. On reaching the locale Of
the disaster at about half past eight, the
reporter of this journal, encountered a
scene Of desolation, magnifed by the fact
that against its extension there were only
interposed the strong hands and willing
hearts Of few boatmen seconded by the
by ISLANDERS. Our fremen, could not
have arrived in time, land supposing the
fire was in Manchester, several of our
best companies proceeded even that dis
,ance) would have found that employment
in which they delight, the rescuing Of
property from threatened destruction.
The confagration commenced in the
Arctic, fine boat which had lately drop
ped down to that point for the purpose Of
laying up for the season, and was first
discovered in her stern, in proximity to
the wheel, but directly was developed
beneath her deck throughout her entire
length, and in few moments she was
entirely enveloped by the consuming ele.
ment, The flames spread to the Great
West, which was laying alongside Of the
Arctic, and in very brief period she too
was in blaze, and entirely beyond res
cue by such effort as could be put forth
under the circumstances.
The "Luzerne," Capt Beunet, which
is undergoing repair,in the vicinity Of the
spot where The other boats laid, was re,
garded, also, as lost, but, although ignited
several times. by manly and persistent
exertion upon the part Of her Captain and
crew, she was protected and finally saved
| The lumber house belonging to the
Railway, next took fire, and a large
amount Of timber was destroyed, with the
building itself Mr.. Borland, the super
intendent, estimated the loss at not Iest
than 81 500 to $4,000. No clue to thu
origin Of the fire can be ascertained, tive
persons only being on the Arctic when i
was discovered, and they, leaving it sud
denly, in the excitement which ensue'
were unrecognized, and only remembered
when the question arose as to cause. |
was generally supposed, upon the ground
that it was piece of incendiarism. Th
Great West sunk at about nine o'clock
after burning to the waters edge, AM
when we left the Arctic was almost con
sumed.
The former boat wps commanded b,
Capt. Devenny, and The latter by Cap
Mccullough. In the hurry-scurry whicl
prevailed at the scene of conAagralion. W
were unable to procure, reliably, the fact
relating to ownership. insurance, etc.
! Pitts, True Press.