New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-04-29
burning OF the Steamboats, Ocean spra,
and Keokuk.
GREAT Loss OF LIFE.

GREAT Loss OF LIFE.
The st. Louis Republican, Of the 23d, gives the
following particulars of this disaster, an intimaton
Of which we had already received by telegraph:
At few minutes past o'clock p NJ Yesterday.
the regular Peoria packet Ocean Spray Capt Waldo
Marsh, left this city for PEORIA with fair cargo OF
freight and from thrty-ve to fortyve passengers 10
her cabin, among whom were eight or niue ladies.
There were very few deck passengers When she had
reached point about five miles above the city.
known as Magazine Bend she was discovered to be
on fire. and the pilot, Mr. j. Walter Leach, who was
at the wheel, Immediately headed her for the Mis-
souri, shore. When she struck the shore, the flames
had nearly enveloped the whole boat and were rush
ing up the front stairs rendering it impossible for
the passengers to obtain egress by that way The
larboard engine was stopped and the starboard kent
going ahead, which forced the bow Of the boat hard
into shore and in this manner she moved up the
bank until she came in contact with the Keokuk
packet Keokuk which the Company had caused to
be removed TO tnat point and laid up. The flames
were communicated to the Keokuk and she was CON
sumed to the waters edge.
The Ocean Spray was at the shore. probably two
minutes, when her starboard wheel fell into the wa
te and the boat hoated out into the stream During
this brief interval many of her passengers it is hoped
nearly all, escaped by jumping from the burning
boat TO the shore, and into the water from which
they were afterwards rescued. Some however re-
maned on board alter the boat foa:ed out into the
stream, and were TO jump overheard as the only
means left of saving their lives 1t is feared that
some of these have been lost but we have not been
able to learn the name Of single person supposed to
be drowned.
The missing, so far we learned their names, are
Miss Thompson, residence unknown Miss Johnson
residence unknown Maria Carroll, (coored.) cham.
bermaid Stephen 7. Spargo, engineer Mr. Jno B.
ketterer of st. Louis; Mr.. Hick PittsfeId illinois,
Capt. Jno. RUSSELL from whom we obtained the
particulars states that he thinks the lost will not
number more than eight or ten and probably even a
less number have to their death by this deplo.
rable disaster.
The fire on the Ocean Spray is said TO have oripi-
mated from the burning of barrel of turpentine
which was located near the coal box in front of the
fire doors used by the fremen in wetting the wood
and coal. Another account has it that the fire was
communicated from the chimneys to the hurricane
roof.
The general impression appeared to be that the fire
was communicated TO the wood and other combusti-
BILE materials on the main deck.
The Ocean Spray was owned by Capt. Marsh was
about one year old-a new and very fine boat. She
cost s42 600, and at the time of her LOGS, valued
at S35 900. Insured In Pitsburg offices for S25 0OO
The keokuk was two years DID, owned by the
keokuk Packet Company; valued at s35 900, and in.
sured against fire in Offices in this city for SIS 000
She had been taken up to the vicinity of the Powder
Magazine, to be more secure against fire than she
could be at the landing, in company with other laid
up boats.
Other accounts Of the affair estimate the loss of
life at no less than twenty.