Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-02-02
From the Norfolk Day Book-Extra
AWFUL CATASTROPHE,
Burning Of tho Steamer North Carolina, from
Baltimore.
TWO LIVES LOST.


49,, TWO LIVES LOST.
The Steamer Georgia arrived in our harbor this |
morning. bringing the startling and painful ntelli-
gence of the burning of the Steamer North Caro- |
lima on Friday morning last on her passage from |
baltimore to Norfolk, with 26 passengers on board,
all of whom fortunately escaped DEATH except one,
the Rev'd Mr. Curtis an Episcopal Minister Of South
Carolina, who was on his way home from the North, |
and one of the Stewards of the Boat, negro man.
The fire was discovered, on Friday morning at |
about half past one o'clock in one of the State |
Rooms of upper saloon at whchtime the boat was
about three miles below Smiths Point Light Boat
The pumps were Immediately set to work. but the |
fire had already gained such Roadway as to be i'm
possible to supprs IS it, and the boats were immed
atey hosted out and all efforts made to save the pas
sengers and crew.
During this time it was said dense fog was pre-
vailing and it only through the cool and cour-
ageous efforts of the officers of the boat that the
greatest confusion did not prevail, and fortunately
every soul on board was saved it is believed except
the two persons above named.
A lady with child came down by the stanchions
from the upper to the lower deck, where she threw
her child overheard and jumped over after it. Her
husband seeing their perious situation, jumped in
to save them, while the heroic Captain Henry Fitz-
gerald, plunged into the water to assist Them thus,
making four into the water at time all of whom
were saved by of the boats after some diff
Guilty.
There were seven ladies on board the boat, all of
whom barely escaped to the small boats in their
night clothes, not having opportunity to get even
their shoes and stockings. The exception was a
lady whose nervous condition would not allow her
to sleep and she was in full dress, as she had not
gone to bed ..,..
1t is believed that the passenger who was burnt
up, and who is believed to be the Rev. Mr.. Curtis,
OF 5. C., was deaf and could not hear the noise and
stir OF the few moments left the passengers to escape
after the alarm had been given . e.. =.
The escape to the small boats was fortunately "a
vored by the presence of calm weather. otherwise it
is believed the loss of life would have been much
greater.
The bell on board the light boat was kept tolling
till the small boats reached her. when the passen-
gers were taken on board, and the Steamer Locust
Point, Zone of the Parker Veine linc) came along
side about day break and took them on board and
brought them into Hampton Roads, from where
they were brought to this city this morning by the
Steamer Georgia The Captain of the Locust Point
very generously kept near the light boat and the
burning steamer in order to render any assistance
within his power; determined not to leave till every
soul was saved.
The hull of the steamer burnt to the waters edge,
and it is supposed she sunk as nothing was seen of
her after the fog cleared away.
No baggage, freight or anything of value what
ever was saved. The U. States Mail for this CITY
was also destroyed.
1t is believed that Adams & Co.'S Express loses
by this catastrophe, somewhere in the neighborhood
of $1,000. But we understand by fortunate acct
dent, they were prevented from losing 5000, 0OO
Government funds, which was expected here to pay
| off, but did not get on board in time, and conse-
quently came down in the steamer Georgia this
! morning.
Captain Cannon, the commander of the North
Carolina, had $500 of his own funds in his state
room, which he had not time to save So precipi-
tate in fact, was the retreat that no time was to
spare to save anything whatever, and Mr.. Parks,
Purscr of the boat lost all the passage money list
of passengers, &c.
The passengers now in our city and Ports
mouth, and having lost everything they had on
board, rendered destitute, and it might be we'll
to tender assistance to those who are going fur
ther to enable them to pursue their journey.
This is the only accident of any note that has
CURED to this fortunate line since they have been
in existence period of thirty years.
1t is believed the fire originated in one of the for
ward state rooms, which was occupied by the Stew
ard as room for keeping the linen, &C., belonging
to the boat and that when the door of the room was
opened the whole saloon was in light blaze by the
draft of air rushing through
The truth is however, that the adj rolorem princi-
pie OF taxation is the proper one-taxcs industry
are wrong in principle. If A owns capital of ten
thousands dollars, and by industry and activity, and
the casting in of his services to its employment,
| makes a larger income on it than B, who has the
same amount Of capital but lets it lie comparatively
idle is that any reason that A. who is the more in
| dustrlous, and, therefore, more valuable citizen,
should be taxed higher on his capital than B. who
is the less so But this cannot be reached at the
present session. and Mr. Fries bill introduces good
many valuable features. We may refer hereafter to
the impediments in the way of the introduction Of
the ad calorem system Wilmington Journal
| HILsBoRoUGH MILITARY misunderstanding to
previous advertisement the duties of this Institu
| ton commenced on the 10Th instant The number
of Cadets already entered is thirty two, fifteen of
whom are from South Carolina To the three off
GERS now attached to the Academy we understand
that fourth is to be added on the LIST of May, and
others at the beginning of next year. The nature Of
the Institution which is believe the first strictly
Military Academy established in the State, the
experience Of the Superintendent Col. c. G. Tew,
| who was for twelve years an officer of the South
Carolina Military Academies and the judicious Sc
lection of the corps of Instructors, present. in our
opinion, strong claims to public confidence and sup
port-Hilsborough Recorder.
| Death Of Mr. Prescott, the Historian
BosToN, Jan. 29.-Wm. H. Prescott ESQ.,, the
celebrated historian, died yesterday very suddenly
from paralysis. He had been in his usual health up
| to the moment of his death.
| MARRIED,
In this City, the 26th ult by Geo. H. Farbault Esq.,
| Mr.. Hackney Poole to Miss Harriet H. Putney.
| DIED, --s. Sc.
In this City, the 9th ut Edward Orren, only child
Of E. c. and Alice Belvin, aged years. II moahs and
| days.
STATE OF UNDERGRADUATES
| ~ MQNQ COUNTY. Court Of EanilY Fall Term. 1853