The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-27
Burning Of the Steamboat Ocean Spray on
tho Misslssippl.


RACING THE CAUsE-TwRNTY LIVES LOSr-HEARr
BENDING sCKNBs--srATEMKNT OF ONE OF ONE OF
THE PASSENGERS.
1t has already been announced by telegraph thet
the steamboats, Ocean Spray and Keokuk were burned
about five miles above st. Louis the 22d inst, and
that twenty of the passengers of the former vessel
lost their lives. The Ocean Spray, at the time she
took fire, was racing with the Hannibal City, and
the accident to have been caused through the
grossest carelessness. The following statement of
one of the passengers, we copy from the st. Louis
Democrat
Mr. Deniston is from Lynchburg, Ohio, and was
on his way to Florence, on the Illinois river. He
says when the boat started from st. Louis the Han
nibal City backed out just behind, and when under
good Roadway she was about hundred yards in the
rear. He says that when the Ocean Spray was
within about mile OF where she took fire she saw
the Hannibal City gaining on her, and the command
was given to put turpentine in the furnaces. He
says he had been very much interested 10 the race
and had taken position in front, where the steps
come down together, 40 that he could see them
firing up. They first threw in rosn and then the
the order was given, and some of the men went
down into the bold and BROUGHT up barrel of tur-
pentine which had been consigned to some person in
Peoria. The took an axe and split hole in the
head Of the barrel, and then, under orders Of the
mate, dipped the fluid out and threw it over the
coal that was lying by. This was not expeditions
enough, and the head of the barrel was knocked in.
and bucket with piece Of rope to 1t was used to
dip out the turpentne. The barrel at this time was
standing not more than six feet from the furnace
doors. After dipping with the bucket and sprinkng
the coal sticks of wood taken up and their ends
plunged into the barrel and then laid down between
the barrel and furnace. While lying there one Of the
fremen, in pulling out his rake, jerked live coal
Is supposed, on the wood, when it was Immediately
ignited and bazed up furiously.
The mate swore at the men and ordered them to
throw water on the fire. The water seemed to drive
the flames To the barrel which was soon sll abaze.
The mate grew furious, and cursing the hands, Or
dered them tn cast the barrel overheard. In at
tempting to DO this the barrel upset, and the
burning fluid in an instant spread all over the deck
and poured in fiery torrents down into the hold. At
this the cry of fire was shouted and the alarm became
general.
Mr.. Denistou says he Immediately ran up stairs
for his baggage, which was in stateroom No. 20. He
dragged his trunk and carpet sack as far as the
clerks Office, when he saw the flames coming in at
the door in front of them. He dropped the trunk
and umbrella, and made a dash for the stairway
through the flames. Somehow, he says, he reached
the bottom OF the stairs, but not without having his
hair and eyebrows pretty badly singed. Here, at
the forward deck he found crowd Of men all wait
ing for the boat % strike shore. He jumped when
the rest did, and landing safely, he began 10 throw
In the river all the pieces OF wood or logs he could
gather the shore. While on the shore he saw the
women rushing over the top OF the boat some on
the hurricane roof, and some, even with their
children up on the TeSas all imploring for
ment. lie saw mother bring three children
10 the edge OF the hurricane roof, the oldest being
probably about ten years old. She first caught her
youngest IN her arms, and gave il desperate fling.
II struck the shore with great violence, and must
have been seriously injured. The second child she
could not throw 10 far, and IL fell in the water
where its little hanos padding above the surface
arrested the attention Of some gentleman who reach.
cd in and saved it, The third child being so heavy
fell farther from shore, and would probably have
drowned but for some noble hearted man. who hay.
ing witnessed the Efforts OF the heroic mother,
plunged In head foremost. and brought the child TO
the surface and 10 the shore. The mother after.
wards lesped In the water, and was rescued.
Mr. DenistOn says some four or five women were
found clinging 10 one woman who was holding on TO
the rudder Of the Star of the West
The captain, clerk. pilots aud mate were saved.
All the cabin boys but one called Hank were saved.
Mr.. Denston says that one OF them saved all his
clothing, and the Others having lost all he generously
offered bis entire wardrobe, aud took them out be.
hind the trees TO change their clothing.
lie saw one poor lrishman sitting on a log crying
over the loss Of his brother.
Mr.. Deniston relates that while the flames were
raging he saw some poor woman at the railing just
in front Of the wheelhouse. Those shore shouted
20 her TO jump. which she attempted TO do. but was
caught by her clothing aud swung in under the rail
ing down into the engine room, where all was one
blaze Of fire.
Mr.. Deniston thinks there cannot have been less
than twenty lives lost lie thinks there were some
sixty or seventy passengers in ALL and good many
OF these deck passengers.