The Nevada Democrat., 1858-01-06
Burning OF the n1l.sl.s.pp. steamer RAINBOW


We copy the following particulars of the burn.
ing of the Rainbow, from the Louisville Journal,
which occurred near the town Of Napoleon, Ar
kansas
On the morning of the 2lst Nov, at about
half-past two o'clock, while under way, some
ten miles above Napoleon, aud near the head of
Island "a, the beat was discovered to be on fire.
The oficer of the deck, Mr.. c. Whitlow, imme-
diately ordered her to be run ashore The or
der was promptly executed by Mr.. Lamb, the
pilot at the wheel; but so rapid was the pro-
gress of the flames that by the time the shore
was reached they envelOped the entire boat,
which presented mass OF fire from stem to
stern. Those Of the passengers and crew who
were on the forward part Of the boat escaped
without difficulty. Those at the stern were cut
off from any means of escape except by jump
ing into the water. Although it was but few
yards to the shore, but few Of the latter escap-
ed, except those who had the presence of mind
to take life preservers or something to sustain
them in the water. No doubt many were burnt
in their rooms. Some were overcome with
fright and knew not which way to 60, and
weuld not jump into the water. The wheel
house next the shore was filled with men, wom-
en- and children. The beams burnt of, and the
weight of the wheel careened it overheard, car
rying with it great many persons, but few of
whom were saved.
All the books and papers being destroyed, it
is utterly impossible to ascertain accurately
the names of the lost and saved; but, after care
fully comparing the statements Of those that
were saved, we cannot make the loss less than
sixty to seventy-fve human beings; all ushered
into eternity without Q moments warming
Truly, ";n the midst of life we are in death"
The officers, without exception were saved
AssIsTANcE.-Ths Sovereign, bound down,
fortunately, was near at hand, and succeeded
iu picking up several OF the passengers floating
in the water, upon pieces of wood, etc. She
took on board those of the saved who wished to
return South. The Miunehaha soon came along,
bound up, and several passengers went off on
her. few hours afterwards the JAS Z. Wood
ruff came up and took on board the crew and
the remainder of the passengers, with the excep-
ton Of few who STAYED to look for the remains
of their lost friends.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.-The officers of the boat
agree that the fire originated in the ok-bouse,
which being closed they think the fire was un-
der full headway before bursting out, and then
it was SO far started, and the wind blowing very
fresh that nothing could be done to arrest its
progress.
PAssENGERs.-Thc passengers, with one or two
exceptions, had retired to their rooms. Among
them were several Californians, with their
treasures of gold and their families, coming
back to their homes, but alas they met with
the cold embrace of death in its most horrid
fsrm instead of that OF kindred and friends
from whom they had so long been separated.
TREASURY AND JEwELRY LOsT.-All the pas
sengers lost everything money, clothes, and
all they had except what was on their persons.
A large amount of money in gold, aud $20,-
900 in jewelry, were undoubtedly lost
The boats safe, with contents, was soon re-
covered, and those Of the passengers who had
deposited their money in the Office, were saved
from loss in that particular.
INCIDENTS. Wheatleigh, from California, with
his wife and child, jumped from the steamer
and struck boldly out for the shore. The wife
soOn sunk to rise no more; the child was drown
ed clinging TO her fathers neck. He could not
reach the shore with his child, and was COM
PEELED to let it go. Wheatlegh was assisted by
those on shore. He had $500 in gold in the
safe, which was recovered. He remained at the
wreck to recover if possible, the remains of his
wife and child.
Whitlow, the mate, picked up five persons
hanging to a small piece Of timber. All were
saved, though in two OF them life was apparent
ly extinct.
Moddeck, travelling agent of Philadelphia
house, lost $50 900 worth OF jewelry saving
nothing but his pantaloons, without either coat
or hat.
Every one of those who escaped was but half
clad. Some had coats and no pants, few had
hats or boots; some had no covering but the
comforter snatched from their berths, as they
left, but their wants were soon supplied by the
crews Of other boats as they came up.