Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-03-10
THE CATASTROPHE ON THE MIS-
SISSIPPI.
Explosion of tho Steamer Princess.
Oas Hundred Lirs lost Terrible Scenes Of
Board tie Rece'ring Stedmer-Ihe Idsseny"rs
on a Bar-List Of Killed and JFonnded.


the steamer Princess Mt Baton Rouge, La. on the
9th ult The New Orleans papers of the LIST ms,
contain full particulars of the horrible catastro-
phr The Picayune says:
Fur of the large, powerful boilers exploded ut
once, driving af, clearing all before them, and the
whole upper cabin, state rooms hurricane deck.
texas and all, fell in almost Immediately aud in
g moments, the flames burst forth. The shock
was sudden, and so tremendous; 30 utterly I'M
,ookel for, as apparently to have bewildered the
hrasest and most experienced men,
The pilot George H. Cnse, who was at the wheel
was thrown into the water. lie arrived here last
evening ON the steamer VIM. Morrison, AMI from
what We could learn, knew nothing more of the
catastru ph" than that he suddenly found himself
flying through the mir, aud moment after in the
water without having the remotcst idea of what
was the matter The chief engineer. Andy Swcc.
nv had ended his watch at s a. VI. when the Sc
coud engineer, Peter Jersey. went on, md was
attending to his duty when the explosion occurred
l." beng the first victim. lie was cut in two
II" Is reported by the superior "flicers and en-
pioyers To- be a steady. reliable man, no wise in
temperate and Il first rate engineer. lie was wei
knuvu here.
We add not ascertain whether Capt. jackson
wa. IN duty or not Mt the time Of the explosion
H. W.T. rmerly pilot Of the boat, and had been
acting -. captain for several trips. lie is report.
ng tho missing. Mr.. Aflecks letter
saws hc ,as understood to be across the river bad
!, huft. The first clerk. Mr.. james lied, WAS in
hi- otisr ut the time and was found after the cx-
rlo-pe. in space on the lock below left vacant by
the hul ted boilers.
Thu / rec of the explosion. or some other lucky
n'rlleaf. ga,e the boat "A turn towards the bank
She 81 struck On II sand bar that juttcd out into
The ryff from the shore and where she grounded.
The H. TO on duty, with several If the crew.
junIe tho bar and succeeded in making the
81. d, al.
nnrn nd busted themselves i'll cnleavoring to
rescue leir unfortunate companions buried in the
luI4itg ruin of the cabin. and gathered in which
we're may la1ics and children. All who could
hc moved, wounded or not, were taken on the sand
luk, there to awut, in n state Of agony and hor-
tor that "an family be imagined, the hand Of res
"a" from some passing vessel.
The companion packet to the Princess, the
>i"lmb At Natchcz which left here ON Saturday
acrneon WI. the first boat t. near the disastrous
scene. What appalling spectacle that small
sand bar mus have presented 10 the amazed and
!,rini stricken brhollers-the magnificent boat
now n,ass OF blazing ruins, in which smoullcred
the remains ut many pang stricken wretch the
ehastiS corpseS Of the dead lying here and there :
IA" groups of wounded men disiigured and crushed
hv the terrible powers Of steam aud fire comhined
the women aud children gathered in grief ard
horror with the live and well men, all ovcrwhclm-
ed 10y catastrophe the more terrible that it
~ un, xpoctel and fierce flames Of the burning
wreck lighting up this picture Of desolation, death
and misery. Well might the stoute>t heart turn
appealed from snch n narrowing spectacle
The Natchrz laid by the wreck for some hours
her "frers crew and passengers cxrrting them
oIee Ia the utmost To give all the relief in their
!nwer, and soon this steamer started on her way
up tn, river her decks filled with mattresses. ON
~lici recliucd the hlackeurd forms of those who,
hat lay before, had left their homes to spend
Tia" Inst Joyous week Il the Carnival in the tres
cent city. The steamer Kate Dale, n small boat
from ,amd"n. Ark, soou reached the spot of the
disaster. She was on her way to this city. and
her oflccrs saw tho flames of the burning boat
Whra Eve miles distant. Other boats-the McRT
the frerless, the Tigress. the Empress, the Vixen
tie Morrison. the Mnngolia in their turn
at brief intervals, To lend their aid and sympathy
to ca ry off the wounded and searrl, for the miss.
inE afes or remove the dead.
TIL Kate Dale was the first in yesterday at this
y rt, rom tne eeene Of the accident. Five bodies
were already laid out on her deck. Among them
wa, lat OF Colin VI. Kingston, II young man
al n wen'v-wo years of age. resident of this
civ. When he got on board the Dale. he was up
pArrutlv uniniurcd. and seemed in very good
sprit~; but he soon after complained OF II burning
IN hi. stomach. and died ere he reached the city.
H. has mother and three brothers here.
The cabin Of the Dale was filled with mattresses,
on which the burnt urscalded men were extended,
presenting II most heart rending spectacle. We
have seen many such; but experience in them
cnu lessen the appealing effect the sight of the
hhrkoned, d,6gurel, swollen forms and faces
produces,
We were much panied to among the suffer
rrs IN the Dale Mr. {. ckburn, a we'll known mer-
chan. + this citv, tthn firm Of Oakley llaw-
kius. AID gentleman much esteemed by n wide
CIRCLE Of arqualntances and friends. lie has be-
orllt ,i.,S, laSt
ing W. learned, getting along rs well rs could le
expected. His ia =" and hands We're very much
su o.l Wien law him ON the Dale
ruE fNrLosIe% As ZEN Ky ANOTHER STEAMER.
Tn DATA I'M the lowing account from pas
scrteron me Kate Dale:
The kate Dale had passed, and was procce'lin. {,
down the river at some distance but in sight OF
thc Fan 80, when suddenly II loud report, II, of
the discharge of IL whole battery ofhcavy artic-
ry, was heard. producing pesteptbc shock. and
filling the air with smoke and fragments. All
rushed on lock, aud looking toward the Princes,
tha; -lc was victim Of this terrific explosion.
\ tliek smoke, only broken by rel flashes of fire,
completed enyelopel the whole steamer, which a
few seconds before had excited 50 much almira-
tlon ly her grand proportions and graceful move
mrnt-. Expressions If horror and dismay arose
from the beholders of the sad scene Captain
Smith. of the Kate Dale. Immediately ordered his
boat 10 round to- and steer towards the Princess
As soon she nearcd the scene. the horrors Of
the disaster came in full view. Language is ut
terry Inadequate to depict tho heart renling feat
nres of the dismal tragedy. The force of the cx.
plnsion had thrown the bow OF the Princess tho
bank, the flames were rapidly consuming the
wreck, cutting off the apperace of tho bank, and
snhIrcins to further toruc the manned and help
less the water was alive with the wounded and
til" unhurt some swimming. others clinging To
bales Of cotton and other floating objects, and all
prcierring its chances to the more mercilcss fury
Of the other element.
Sometimc-at least nm hour had elapsed before
the knte Dale had reached the scene and oh