The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-06
Pariieu iar. OF tn, BurnIns Of the steam
ca Ocean spray.

The st. Louis papers come filed with the
particulars attending the terrible catastro-
phe of the steamer Ocean Spray and the loss
Of from ten 10 twenty passengers. Wecopy
the following accounts Of the accident which
occurred on last Thursday the 22i:
The Ocean Spray took fire yesterday at
ternoon about O'Clock, a,.d was burned 10
the waters edge, at a distance OF about five
miles above this city, in or near Sawyers
Bend, above Magazine Point. She leit this
city at her regular departing honr, between
four and five O'Clock, on her way TO Peoria
on the Illinois river. About the time Of her
departure the Hannibal City, one OF the
regular kcokuk packets, also dropped out,
and both boats started up the river On
race, the Ocean spray having about one
hundred yards the start, both boats having
u number of passengers and many on board
seeming TO anticipate, with much relish, the
result oi the race 10 Alton. Under such
circumstances the officers OF the boats could
hardly fail TO partake Of the spirit Of rival.
~ which 20 pcrvaded the passengers, and
under the impulses OF the hour seemed to
have become reckless OF everything but the
speed OF their respective crafts.
STATEMENT OF MR.. T. W. BRANDON.
Mr. Brandon went on board the Ocean
spray for the purpose OF attending 10 the
shipment OF about 200 bags Of salt which the
boat was to take on board, near BcichCfs
sugar rcGuery. After however, both boats
were ont in the stream, and the race had
fairly begun, the Captain informed Mr..
Brandon that he could not stop for the salt,
and would have to carry him up to Alton,
for he wanted to beat the Hannibal City,
which boat was at the time gaining on the
Spray. Mr.. Brandon states that he could
see the tremen on the Hannibal City break
ing up rosin and casting II into the furnaces.
When the boats were rounding the point
above the city, they were very close together,
the keOkuk packet having steadily gained
upon her rival and almost coming alongside
AT this juncturc, the fires Of the Ocean Spray
were fed with rosin and turpentne, aud with
the increase OF steam she was Just beginning
70 gain upon her competitor, when the alarm
OF fire was heard. Mr.. Brandon says he be-
came alarmed at the heat Of the boilers, and
thinking there was some danger Of an ex-
posion. went up on the hurricane deck and
passed back until he was over the ladies
cabin. He saws there was considerable ex-
citemcnt on board, and many were extreme
" anxious 10 bet on the success Of their
boat. lie says he had been standing over
the ladies cabin but few INMATES, when he
was started by FAINT cry oil fire :" coming
very lndlsllnctly from The forward part Of the
boat. This cry was Immediately followed
l.t.o Il eit, al L.. to
ward the pilot house, hg saw the pilot Of the
boat give the wheel very sudden turn, and
noticed that the boat which WAS about twen.
" yards ont in the stream began Ia head Tor
shore.
At this the confusion WAS great, AMI tue
cries OF The passengers was fearful and ago
nizng. The women and children, Cra2od with
alarm, were heard in the cabin below, while
the huarse sh0utiugs Il the men in front
made the moment most terrible. Ills hist
impulse directed him 10 rush forward. Tie
ran TO the wheelhousc steps, and bad placed
Que foot on the first step, when rush Of
flames aud smoke from below drove him
back. He then IAN along the roof until
just forward oil the plot house, and before
tht boat had struck the shore jumped for
his life handing safely on the shore, SOME
what shocked and nlmbad from the fall. Dat
not seriously hut.
Mr.. Brandon IS the mn, as Il general
thing, Jumped AMI reached the shore safely,
though h. saw four OF them hanging to Que
log out in the river three Of them on the
upper side 81 Il, and 11e Oh tie lover. The
log kept turning over towards thc laaD on
tue lower side, until be, becoming exhausted
with his efforts TO keep on it, sunk below Tie
surface and wI drowned.
lie also .aw a lady WHO Was cudaayo.ing
10 keep herself ~ by n mall pee al board
M, NOR then . foot square. Her dress
fox time scented to buoy her. bat becoming
thoroughly saturated, the p.coo ", wool vas
insufficient sic would s.Dk almost below
the surface. an thea hg strpr - effort.
s,raightcn her body throw back her head
ard -lilFen h-r arms, bIt ali o. no a'dI.
She sank aud was sen 10 more.
Mr. Brandon Siys the spectacle hon the
shore vas most heirt-renG!ng. 1h ladies
az first tried to save thyir baggage, sn.1a d
them throw,ns ~ their trunks alri tacn
igmpin" in after them Others were con
c,rurd gn.y i8a ~ m-eISts AMI their chi
Gfcll, ana f3u "'Hail ~b'hf SNi' dt'diA o"
crying Tor hep. \ the flames approached
thy swung thtm.. Ives down rom tue guard.
while one Or two were seen 10 side down
the rops AMI p.a.a a. thertar. ii9w many
were snn< e. lot cannot be s-ctrtained. to-
even g1assad 6, how. There we're some IT,
tasu or twenty women IN board. and sons
exLt OF jeu AZ a.i that are though. 70 t.,
saved
srArrvEy1 80 ~. g. Il. pgNisToS 10" iIif
roAr was ~ cs sftF
Mr.. Dani,lon is l:am lyrch1nrg' q -
AL ts- - bis Nay to F.or,ucc, % to J.
Gp1is River. He bad tr.uS containing
money anl a-tiel", o! apIar". 'a''sd a.
SlGo Which v.- oct IT, -fs- .ncn 'h'
6oAt started o1t the Hannibal cry bacsea
ont Us; taAiuu Ltr, aaa sAen I@..er goo
t.,t,.,., ga, A. all4f "A hatr!rt.4 ,al.- u