True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-24
Storm on the River-Coal Boats Sunk
Nine Men Reported Drowned.

Storm on the River-Coal Boats Sunk
Nine Men Reported Drowned.
A most terrific gale Of wind prevailed
on the river during Wednesday night
and several coal boats, together with nine
lives, are reported to have been lost, in
the neighborhood Of Line Island, George.
town and Wsllsville. The wind sven,
over the city between eight and nine
o'clock in the evening, and continued at
intervals during the Night.
Apair Of coal Eoats, belonging 10 Co.
rey d PeteteOn, George HumbersOn,
pilot, encountered the storm, about eleven
o'clock. near Liverpool, Ohio, and in at.
tempting to check up struck the bank,
V'nen several hands jumped ashore. One
of the boats sunk, but the other was
saved, although somewhat damaged
Mr. James Corey was on board, and was
severely bruised in the face by the part
ing of an inch and three.quarter line.
Mr. Huwberson, the pilot, recovered a
skiff which had been taken ashore for
the purpose of fastening line, but the
men who had jumped ashore were no.
where TO be seen.
One pair, belonging to John Penny, Of
MKees?ort, Daniel Pollard, pilot, was
sunk near Line Island, and four men
drowned. Their names are /: Robert
Munklttrick, William Say, and George
Pilgrim, from the vicinity of M'Keesport,
and George Pinkering, who resided near
Sawmill run. The men, we are informed
left the boat in a skiff, which was swept
by theSwell in the river under the steam.
er Jacob Poe, lying chute at the head
of the Island. One man who was in the
skiff, succeeded in reaching the shore.
A pair of boats, belonging to Riley
Rupert, were reported sunk at MillGreek,
and five men lost. We did not learn their
names. John M'Qnilkin, pilot, was on
board, Intending to take charge of the
boats from Louisville.
M, bravo & Sons, lost pair Of boats,
in the same neighborhood. George Hun
Ter, pilot. No men lost.
Two coal barges-Van Reed pilot Of
one, and the other owned by Smiley &
Co.-were also reported sunk.
A telegraphic dispatch. from Wellsville,
was received by the press on Thursday
afternoon, stating that pair Of coal boats,
belonging to Peterson & Corey, were
sunk near that place, and twelve men
drowned. Further that seven of the
crew escaped, who reported that the boats
were in a sinking condition when last
seen. James Corey, VIM. Humberson,
Thomas Brown, Thomas Fagan, Jacob
Mangus, John Baker, the cook, and two
others, were supposed 10 be lost. This
dispatch is discredited, from the fact that
James Corey is in the city, and has no
knowledge of the drowning of any Of the
hands. He says he left Hunberson at
Steubenvlle "all right"
We learn from Mr.. Blasdell, one of The
hands on the boats, that when in the
midst of the storm, between WellsviIe
and Liverpool, all hope Of landing the
boats was given over, several lines parted
iu attempting to do so. Nine of the hands
jumped into the skiff, and succeeded in
making the shore, Mr.. Humberson, the
pilot, accompanying them. Mr.. II. and
one of the hands, stated again for the
boats in skiff, leaving seven men on the
shore. Mr.. Blasdell says he seen moth
ing more of The boats or the men on board.
Those on shore were instructed 10 walk
along the bank, which they did, and see
ing the lights disappear, inferred that the
boats had sunk, drowning the men on
board, twelve in number. .. ....
The dispatch alluded to was doubtless
based on the statement of the seven men
who were landed in the skiff, and who
were led 10 believe that those remaining
on the boats were lost. from the fact Of
their not seeing or hearing of them after
wards. We are led to believe that the
report of the drowning Of Mr., Humberson
and others named in the dispatch is un-
true. .... ...... ......
The boats encountered the Storm about
seven o'clock, and it continued with fear.
full violence until about eleven. The
cries of the boatmen were heard by per.
sons in Liverpool, Welsville, and at diff
ferent points along The river. The storm
is said to have been the most terrific one
which has prevailed on the Ohio Tor a
number of ears.-Pin. Dis.