Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-05
disaster In Chosa peake Bay

The steamer North Carolina, Capt Can
non, was destroyed by fire in Chesapeake
Bay, on Saturday morning last, while on
her way from Baltimore to Norfolk, Va.
with twenty eight passengers and cargo OF
assorted merchandise The boat took fire
about half-past one o'clock on Saturday
morning, in the clothes closet from can
die, which, it is believed, was carried in
there by boy on board. All efforts to
save the vessel we're unavailing, and the
passengers, with the exception of Rev. Dr.
Curtis, an Episcopal minister OF Chester, >:
c., and Frank Walters, one OF the colored
stewards, who were burnt in their berths,
were taken off in the boats. The survivors
reached the Smiths point Light Boat in
safety, after wandering about in the fog for
several hours, and were subsequently, taken
offby the steamer Locust Point, and brought
to Willoughby Point Sunday morning,
where they were taken off by the steamer
Georgia, and brought up to Norfolk and
Portsmouth From an extra from the s'Nor-
folk Argus and other sources, we gather
the following details:
STATEMENT OF MR.. BoYDEN, OF SALISBURY,
N. c.,
We left Baltimore about o'clock, Fri
day evening it had been raining all day,
but about 81 o'clock it cleared up; the stea-
mer passed slowly down the river, the fog
becoming thicker and thicker as it grew la
ter, and about 9 P. NJ, the engine whistle
was blown, and from time to time was re-
peated, to warn vessels Of the steamers ap-
proach. Occasionally the boat was stopped,
the fog late in the night being SO dense that
nothing could be seen. At the usual hour.
all the passengers retired. About two, or
half-past two, Saturday morning, l was
awakened by the hurrying of the servants
back and forth, and asked one of them what
was the matter, but got no answer. [ then
dressed went on the main deck, and then
learned that it was caused by fire; [ then
went below and got my carpet bag, and
went Immediately to the upper deck, when
saw the fire, which had spread all over
the upper part Of the boat I was driven
below by the flames. and when got on the
main deck again. found men engaged in get
ting the quarter boat ready. At this time
the excitement was very great; men were
running hithcr and thither; the ladies were
rushing about in their night clothes. bare
footed and bareheaded some were wringing
their hands and some were screaming; 9th
eTs were apparently overcome By fright, and
hardly knew who were their natural protec
tors. In the meantime the boat nearest
me was launched, and in less than min
ute nineteen persons were IN it. We then
for fear of being swamped cut loose and
pushed off, and as we did SO, one man jun
ped from the steamer into the water and
was picked up by us. In this boat were
three ladies four negro men to pull the
oars, and two negro women. Mr.. J. T
Walker, the second-mate, took the helm
and the command of the boat; the boat was
pulled of little way and then hung around
the steamer about an hour. We then got
in company with the other three boats
which had been, dashed together to prevent
their separating in the fog; and noticed a
raft tied behind on which were five or six
persons. We took two or three persons
from the raft and the rest got in the other
boat and the raft was cut adrlft. The Cap
tain took the lead he had a light and
compass in his boat, and after pulling about
for an hour we heard bell never in my
life did hear such music before; it was the
most cheering sound that ever saluted my
ea,s-this proved to be the Smith Point
Light coat bell; and after pulling in the d.
reo.io0 of the sound for an hour andea half
We came Es'aanly upon the light boat
a9fa1 would Ike TO state that the fog was
50 thick soa5 when the steamer was blazing
sd neari an hunlred feet. we could not
gee Il q. bundled yards off We were taken
gu board by he captain, and the after part
OF the vessel given up to the ladies' who
were soon provided with FIRE and blankets
the blankets had been thrown in the boats
from the burning steamer, and made COM
Portable About 10 o clock, Saturday NOR
ming, we heard a fog whistle, apparently
about one hundred yards off; but being un-
able to see anything, we dispatched boat
to hail the steamer. This proved to be the
Locust Point, of the Parker Vein line, in
command Of Capt. D French, who said he
was bound to New York. We asked him if
he could not take us to Norfolk? He repli-
ed. that if the fog cleared up SO that he
could get along, he would, and in the mean
time, he would lay by us. He accordingly
came alongside and invited us on board. -
The gentlemen accepted, but the ladies
were forced to decline on account Of their
toilets. While lying here large pieces Of
the burnt steamer foated by, several Of
which were picked up. About dark, the
fog having cleared away, we got the ladies
on board the Locust Point and proceeded
to within eight miles of Norfolk, which
point we reached about A. NJ, to-day
(Sunday.) About 5 A. NJ the Georgia
came along, and brought US in to the city.
When we left the light boat we gave three
cheers for its captain, and when we left the
Locust Point we gave three times three.
LIST OF PASSENGERS.
The following is the List of the passengers
who were on board:
DIR. j. r. Troup. Misses. Troup, Darien,
GA; R. H. Northrup, Pioneer Mills, N. G;
Thomas W. Field, Gloucester. G. H; E.
cfayton and lady, Beaufort, NC; R. J.
{Sregort, Goldsboro', N. O.; Lurch, (boy)
Wilmington, N B; HI Fitzgerald, Norfolk;
l8oyden. Salisbury, N G; Dr. John & RE
yes, Edgocomb county, N. G.; Il Fl. Live
II. }Fijliansburg, Va; ST. Grant, U S.
n Portsniouth, Va; r Matthews, Boston,
9.,lss John A. Green. Baltimore VIM.
DENLY Jr. and sister, Norfrlk, Va; Peter
Adaps. Greensboro, N. G.; Mathew w.