Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-18


eient, stated to passengers who reached her house
from the wreck, that her impression was, that the
boat was running at rather a slow gait
TIE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS Oh BOARD.
The number Of passengers on board the boat we're
gariously estimated from three 70 four hundred. The
second clerk states that there were fully three hun
dred passengers two hundred Of whom we're deck
passengers, aud the other hundred we're In the cabin
PasseD gers with whom ne have oonveTsed think that
the number vas larger. The prevailing opinion is,
that the whole number on deck and in the cabins
was not less than three hundred and fifty, and some
put the number at 400. Including the crew, the
whole number Of souls on board could not have been
less than from 400 to 500
THE BOAT AND CARGO.
The Pennsylvania was old boat, having been
built al Pitisburg seven years ago When built she
was estimated to be worth $50, 900. Her value, at
the time Of the explosion can be safely set down at
$40, CO., as she had been well used, and with the
exception Of her machinery was in very perfect
state Of preservation Her furniture was all Of the
finest kind and not much worn. She owned
principally By her officers. Capt Klinefelter own
ed One-half interest in her. aud the other half, or
the greater portion Of it, at least, held by the
engineers and pilots. There was no insurance What
ever on the boat
The cargo consisted of a very heavy load of gro
ceries consignci to dealers in St. Louis. No esti
mate can be formed of lbe value Of the freight a
the books aud papers Of the boat we're lost. She
was ladened down the guards, and her cargo must
have been very valuable.
THE TREASURE IN THE sAFE
Many of the cabin passengers consisted ofpersons
Who we're on their way the North and other points
to spend the summer, and had with them eOnsidera-
bic sums Of money, much Of which had been turned
over 10 the clerk of the boat be deposited in the
\ g.. Of h
IS estimated at iOry thousand dollars, twelve thou
sand Of which belonged 70 The boat and the balance
! 10 various passengers. Many passengers kept their
money in their trunks and heir persons and, for
| he most part lest it. II is thought probable that
/ the safe wiz be recovered from the wreck Capt
Glinefelter remained at the wreck for the purpose
of recovering he safe and other vauables, if posi-
bic.
THE EXPLOSION.
At the time of the explosion, only few of the
cabin passengers out Of Interstate rooms, many
of them not icing awake. This circumstance, no
| doubt was a fortunate one and saved many lives
that would otherwise have been lost as the gentle
men when up oongregated in large numbers in the
front part of the cabin where the greatest desruc
lion Of life took place. The direction of the explo
sion seemed 10 be upwards from the boilers. The
whole of the front of the boat, and particularly the
upper parts shattered to pieces, and scarcely
any one forward the wheels Of the steamer escaped
desth or injury
Aft of the wheels, the loss of life was. compare
lively, small; while in the ladies' cabin, near the
stern, scarcely any one was injured by the ezplo
sion The fore part Of the cabin to the wheel houses
vas split in two lengthWise, when herexposon took
place The timbers we're all shattered and parted
from their fastenings throwing many of the passen
gers into the water, and others on the boilers By
the force Of the explosion, many persons we're pro
jected though the hurricane deck and torn and man
gsd in a horrid manner.
TIKI BURNING OF TIE BOAT.
Immediately after the explosion the boat took
fire. and burned rapidly, which added to the gene
raj confusion caused by the explosion. A lot Of
spirits of turpentue was stored in the hold which
caught very soon, and added additional horror to
the conAagrailon The rapid spread of the flames
rendered necessary for the survivors on the wreck
TO escape from II hurredly as possible and in he
haste an confusion incident to so hasy an exit many
unfortunate creatures doubtless were left behind,
and persisted in the flames.
THIS RESCUE OF TIE PASSENGERS FROM THE Week
As soon as The explosion took place Capt Kline.
| felter, who at the moment in the barber shop,
hurried forward and ordered the anchor TO be cast
This Immediately done, but the strength Of the
current was such to part the haWser and the
wreck foated down the stream. At this moment the
scene the boat in the highest degree dis
| ressing. The passengers we're rushing 10 and fro,
| crying out that the boat was on fire. that she was
| * a
still the thmult and quiet the fears of the excited
passengers, assuring them that if they would remain
quiet all would be saved. The boat by this time
| had, by the course of the current, been carried
rather near the shore, when iatboat was observed
| led to the trees on the shore CAPT KlinefelteI
had the life boat of the Pennsylvania Immediately
| launched, and in few moments brought the fa
/ alongside Of the raft. The passengers were al
hurried aboard the fatboai from the burnf g wreck
and most Of them found fOOthOld on it. some O.
the German deck passengers were very lOath T.
| cave the wreck without their baggage, aud severa
Of them it is feared were burned up with the boat
The wreck by this time was almost one sheet Of
fame and the hatboat was in great danger from thC
IRE. WAh great difficulty the fat was rushed of
from the burning wreck and secured to III trees OF
shore where it remained for six hours without any
assistance presenting itself
Some Of the persons who were thrown out int
the water swan ashore. Among this number wa
Charles Stone, Esq Of Nashville, and three fou
others, who made their way to the house of Mr.
Butler, the Mississippi side where they were re
ceived with great kindness by the excellent lady
the house, Mrs. Butler, while her husband hastsneC
With his canoe TO the scene of tie disaster an(
rendered important service in saving the survivors
the wreck. Mr.. and Mrs. Butler ere spoken Of il
the highest terms Of praise by those who epjoye,
heir hospitality.
RELIEF OF PASSENGERS.
After he fat containing the wounded and dying
y
the shore for several hours, the steamer Imperia
hove in sight, and came TO the boat, Whicl
was made fast to he stern Of the steamer and toWe
to Austin distant about five miles
CONDUCT OF THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN
D The entire number almost of the inhabitants o
Austin hrOnged the shore on the arrival of the sui
ferers with proers Of assistance Clothing for thos
who were not injured quilts and ooveTets for tn
wounded, we're prOtered in prOfusion and supplie
to the sufferers freely. The injured we're offere
shelter and attention by the citizens if they woul
stop wi h them, and the physicians cf the plac
eXered themselves TO ire utmost TO relieve the pain
Of the wounded Among the citizens Of Austin mo-
prominent in their efforts for the relief of the dis
e essed, we hear the names of Judg, HarIeman NJ
? Willie, Mr. Harrison, the owner of the hotboat il
/ which the survivors we're tOWed into town. and tn
keeper of the public house. This latter gentleman
name we could not learn, but he acted most gener
ously towards the destitute sufferers supplying thei
wants literally, and refusing to take any compensa
ton therefore.
ARRIVAL OF THE DIANA AND KATE FRIsBER
Soon after the arrival Of the sufferers at Austin
J the steamers Kate Frisbee and DIANA from below
came up and the surviving passengers of the Penn
| sylvania were put on board these two boats TO b.
: conveyed to this city The Diana took on for st
Louis nearly one hundred persons, including tn
cabin crew Of the Pennsylvania Ten of the wound
ed were transferred to her from the Kate Frisbee
and were landed at the wharf. boat at our landing
The balance Of the Pennsylvsnia's passengers in
Guiding great portion Of the wounded, were pu
On board Of the Kate Frisbee, and brought to thi
city. The greatest praise is due to the officers anC
crew Of the two boats above named for their geuer