The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-02-08

copy the following particulars OF the SAD ana'f
from our exchanges
The steamer had gotten about so miles on her
way from Baltimore, and was, when the nre DrOHe
out. nearly opposite the Potomac river, equl diS,
tant between the Virginia shore Northumberland
county, and small island lying in the Chesapeake
Bay The first alarm was given about nai-Pass
twelve o'clock, when most OF the passengers hau
ret;red TO their births, little dreaming OF danger
II proceeded from below deck, leaving the in
ference that the cames we're communicated by the
upsetting of a can Of turpentine, which substance
soon blazed out, setting the wood work on ire.
The efforts which were made to subdue the fire
(under the direction Of her able Commander, Capt.
Jas. Cannon were found utterly futile, ana tne
boats of which there six, were lowered 10 the
water in safety and the most of the passengers,
there being twenty-nine, were safely embarked
therein Two persons were lost. One was the
Rev DIR. Curtis of Limestone Springs, ,. e., and
the other was colored steward, named Isaac Wa
tiers. Such was the rapidity with which the hre
made headway, that time was allowed to save
anything-in fact, all were glad to escape with
their lives Much suffering resulted from expos
nre TO the keen cold wind, which blew with great
force The survivors reached the Smiths Point
LIGHT Boat in safety after wandering about IN the
foo for several hours and were subsequently taken
off by the steamer Locust Point, and brought 10
Wilioughby Point Sunday morning, where they
were taken off by the steamer Georgia and brought
ND to Norfolk and Portsmouth.
The fire spread with alarming rapdity from the
time the alarm was given until the passengers
were compelled to leave the boat, it only few
short minutes The fire burnt towards the stern
and very soon filed the upper saloon with dense
,moke and flame 1t was not long before the only
communication between fore and aft was through
the lower cabin About twenty minutes after the
alarm the upper saloon commenced falling IN
What made it very fearful was, that thoseon the
fore and att of the deck could only communicate
with each other by going down below, "hich II
was very dangerous to do as the wood work AROUND
the machinery in the lower cabin was burning.
-Captain Cannon acted noby; after having stood
nv the wheel from the time he left Baltimore until
the fire occurred without any refreshment, ne
worked with indomitable energy to subdue the
flames and finding this useless he superintendent
the construction of raft for the safety OF the
passengers and crew, supplying it with compass
and light He the last to leave his burning
vessel, and had almost to be forced into the boat
The G. ptain lost $3.50 in gold of his own money
and all his wardrobe His heroic conduct vii
never be forgotten.
Purser Parks, after the fire broke out, regardless:
Of personal safety did all in his power to save thu
lives of the passengers and inspire them with the
courage he himself possessed. He gave his atten
ton particularly to the safety OF the ladies' III
saved the passenger lsts-(which Is published be
low but lost the passage money: and large
amount of individual funds He did not leave thu
steamer until he was scorching with the heat ant
in launching boat his was severely burnt III
cut up his shawl to make covering tor the lee
of the ladies who had to leave their shoes ant
stockings in their retreat and he was heard in
ouiring if all the ladies were safe when the boat
bid farewell to the Inflated steamer.
The GOODNESS and bravery OF the Engineers con
G-:l,.oI ,,,,.b miracuiUuS cScaDe OF thOS
on board
Mr. Chamberne, the agent of the Adams Elk
press was particularly efficient among the last
leave the boat The company lost some so OUo:
1t was impossible to save the mails MIR WI
son did eli he could to render assistance to the pas
sencers Uncle Sam need not complain for by
mere accident 100000 of Government fund
vbich were to have been brought down in tn
North Carolina were detained until the next da.
The Lost
Two unfortunate persons persisted in the fame
The Rev. Doctor Curtis, OF South Caroiin
Baptist minister, was returning hurrledly to a
tend the funeral of q member of his family.
had state room mo. I'D very near where the iii
broke out and not being aroused BY the nos
ner;shed in the merciless flames. The passenge
saw that he was an elderly gentleman OF Pollshe
manners and suffered from partial deafness, whic
affection NAV have caused him to sleep on In II
midst OF the fearlul "utSh was wing
acted around him. A passenger informs us tn
when he last saw him he reading his bible.
The negro Steward who persisted was name
Isaac Waters. He ha6 retired for the night, al
being tired and generally sound sleeper, W
overtaken by the flames and was doubtless smot
cred and burned.
A Thrilling Scene.
After the fire broke out In the upper saloon,
spread SO rapidly that no time was gwen to ava
those sleeping in the saloon aft OF the machlneI
Mr. Crapon his wife and infant were sleeplngin tt
mart of the saloon. After the fire had made re;
full progress, and nearly every soul had left the
of the boat, Mrs Capron awoke and aroused n
husband He jumped up and attempted to op
the door of his state-room, the smoke and liam
drove him back.
With great self possession he jumped out OF
window and helped his babe (of II months)
wife out The deck seemed deserted; he thong
all had fed and left him. his wife, and little one
perish. He heard persons in the fore part OF t
boat but the flames presented an impenetrable b
rier Possessed for the time with extraordina
strength he seized q metallic life boat which "
left on the hurricane deck and started to lam
her. but found that she fastened below.-Hi
ing left his coat in his room he had no knife to
the ropes. SO he was obliged to leave his wife a
child and descend to unfasten them he II
ments seemed like centuries He at length 81
eeeded in loosing the ropes and ascending, SHOW
the boat into the water. As soon as she fell S
filled and dristed under the guards Not despa