New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-22
GREAT STEAMBOAT DISASTER.
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE SUNK-AT LEAST
TEN LIVES LOST.
From The ST. Loui, Republican.

From The S. Louis RepatIean.
A Geographic dispatch briefly announced on Sstur-
in The Cumberland River attended by considerable
loss of life. Since the arrival of the X. M. RunyaD,
we have been placed in possession Of very fall par
tcuars and proceed to sy them before our readers.
The disaster occurred on Wednesday night at ii
O'Clock, at Palmyra, about ten miles below Clarks-
vile. She struck log, while running at hor utmost
speed, and sunk alnost instanty, about half OF her
hull beng torn away.
She lies now in the very center of the CHANNEL, With
four feet of water in her cabin and will prevent oos.s
from passing, unless removed previous to the adveLt
Of low water.
The audiences Of the disaster and the late hour al
which it occurred combined to render it deplorable
affair, by the loss Of at least ten lives.
Emmett Wallace assistant engineer, Smithlsnd, KY,
and Henry jackson, are the only names of the lost
that We could ASCERTAIN. The latter free colored
boy, and assistant porter of the boat. Eight deck
haIds, IrshmeD names unknown, are known TO have
persisted. The first porter, when he arrived at Nssh,
Vile had with him three trunks which he hsd saved
from the wreck. One of them was marked " Mr..
BreLtworth, Memphis" another without mark was
supposed to belong to Brent Spencer or Nsshvl!e,
who was q passenger, ana the thnd was maiheu
"Rebecca Davis, Tennessee.
The passengers saved were taken to Nashville by
the steamer Cboctsw. They exonerated the oihcets
from blame in the matter of the disaster The acal
dent occurred in chute, through when the WAFER al
its present high stage, rushes with great veocty,
rendering the passage unusually dlihcut; whl,e ID
here, the boat took sheer on the pilot, and en-
eountered the log, there being no possibility Of pre-
venting the collision.
The officers, without exception, seem to have done
all that it was possible for men TO do under the cu
cumstatces, in giving directions for the general
safety, ana assisting personally. Toe greatest con-
fusion, excitement and terror prevailed as usual In
such cases; and there is much apprehension that the
loss Of life is much greater than sscertaned or ever
will be ascertained.
Almost every passenger had retired to their respeo.
tive bel tbs long enough justify the suppostion that
many were asleep. boon after the shock, the cabin
| filed by Of rushing, excited people, and the
horror of their situation augmented by the shrek
ing Of women and children. One lady, we understand,
threw her child the guard and it was saved by
Of the firemeD.
| man floating in the water was seen to make to-
| ward plank which wss young lady, who after
| ward proved to be his daughter.
The engineer, Hopkins, saved his life by cnging to
all pair of steps, with which he oated three miles
| before he could get to the bank.
Sloan the clerk, and Mr.. Bell, passenger secured
and chung to plank, which supported them safely to
| land.
The City of Huntsville was getting to be an old
| beat. She was valued at $4,000, owned by Capt.
A. L. Davis, Of Nashville, and was not insured.
She had an ipcons iderable cargo, which, together
| with the boat is lost.