New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-05-02


mt forced him and his plank under the guards and he
ioeied until he struck the wheel. In the mean time
something like adozen persona had attached themselyc
20 his plank and nov with him abandoned II aud
chung to the wheel. The explosion ex,nguished all
the lights on the boat, but by the time Mr. Jackson
and the sufferers near him had succeeded in reaching
the wheel, the whole Illuminated by the fire
from the burning wreck. Jackson and those with him
had barely succeeded in securing themselves to the
wheel when The wheelchsns parted. preciptating all
but four OF his companions lamong whom was woinau)
into the water. jackson and those remaining were
carried To the top OF the wheel beneath the roof of the
wheelhouse. The roof Of tine wheel-house had taken
FIRE, and their quarters were anything but niOrtsbe.
They fought the fire manully aud by breaking sway
portion OF the roof and wetng the wood around Them
they succeeded in renainir the wheel until they
takon OIL IL was nm hour and half after the explo-
sion when they rescued. Jackson and the three
who were with him were severely burned by the fire,
and their heads and faces bear the marks of the in
tense heat to which they subjected while the
burning roof was in close poximity to their heads.
sTATEMEsT OF }. N. LEONARD.
Mr. Leonard was the steward Of the ST. Nicholas, and
in tie after part Of the texas at the time of the
ploson. Mr. Leonard states that there on board
when the boat left Memphis twenty-sx cabin pas
gers, eight Of whom were ladies' twenty-three deck
passengers, two of whom were females mother and
daughter; and tweDiy-cight men belonging 10 the
boat. The only lady saved was Miss Helen Kennedy,
of Brunswick Mo. The steward thinks all the boilers
must have exploded and they thrown up and off
the boat carrying with them all the forward part of
the steamer
STATEMENT OF GEORGE W. CHRYsUP.
George W. Chrysup an intelligent lad II years old,
on the st. Nicholas together with his father and
mother. They were from PIttsfed, H., and were
going to Nicksburg, Miss. George in his state
room, in bed, when the explosion occurred. He left
his room, badly frightened and while running along
the guards knocked overheard by the rush Of
grow.up persons. Finding himself in the water and
being an expert swimmer he struck out for the shore
and had nearly gained it, when the current carried
him back to the boat. lie succeeded in getting on
plank with August Ielsler mess-room tender Of the
boat. While upon this plank he saw for the last
time his father and mother, who also
upon plank. His father, knowing that
George could swim, called to him to take
care Of himself, and that he would take
care Of his mother His fathers voice was cheerful
The four George and IIesler and Mr.. and Mrs Chry
sup) drifted each other for little time, when
they lost sight of each other. While within hearing
however the father called to George to the effect that
If he did not see him tomorrow aud was saved HIM.
SELF TO go buck 10 his friends in Pittsheld What be-
came of his wifewhether the two are now upon some
waste of troubled waters on the inundated shores
OF the rverOr whether the mother, fainting from ter
rOr and anxiety let 90 her hold from the friendly plank
and the husband and father, in seeking 10 save tho
partner of his bosom, himself persisted conjecture
alone is left u.s.
REMARKABLY COINCIDENCE.
The Mcmphis Appeal says:
cit il remarkab coincidence that Just before the
accident occurred, Capt. McMulcn Mr.. Reynolds,
from Sioux City, Iowa and gentleman from Warren
ton Miss, were IN the pilot house together engaged
I'm conversation in reference 10 the disaster
to the steamer Pennsylvania, which occurred
in the same locality The gentleman from WarrenOn
was firm believer in the Calvnisc doctrine of pre-
desnation-qualifyng the expression with the state
ment that he hoped he always prepared to meet
his fate whatever that fate might be. The particular
conversation had not closed when the boat blown
into thousand atoms, and none OF the party IN the
pilot house were saved but the pilot Mr.. ked, and
Mr.. Reynolds"
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Ga:ete wri.
ting from Carlo, ILL.,, April Goth, says
Being an eyewitness, 1t becomes my duty to re-
late the particulars of the explosion and burning of
the Inflated steamer ST. Nicholas, her way To New
Orleans, April oath, 10 p She exploded one of her
boilers the foot of SAINT Francis leland about seven
ty-fve miles below Memphis. immediately after the
explosion she took fire and burned to the waters edge
Fortunately in sight of her with the Susque-
hanna on her way up at the time Of the accident. not
more than two miles distant. Capt WILKINSON iniie
diately ordered the men to the yaw to the relei OF
the sufferers, who were hoa'lng IA 'he rFer, anu
Clpgiug To the ropes and ruddcr OF the wreck There
were several skiffs, yawl and the yawl o the ST.
Nicholas picking up the people, the rlver was out OF
the banks, and all who were saved were brought To our
boat We were compelled to reInnln some distance
from the wreck owing To the fact vi the wind setting
in the direction of boat Ladies were seen cling
ing to the burning mbers, and men, cattle ana hogs
seen swimming IN every direction jas; noou,thc
first cook from Allegheny City, was caught between
the wheelhouse and the hull, and burned to death IN
sight of our men, who Were endeavoring Ia eXtncate
him. -,
Mr. Gilum, the second clerk, was blown with ms
mattress 100 wards from the boat and got ashore IN
safety He was badly scalded but came up on the
Philadelphia last night. The first and second mates
Mr. Reid, the pilot, the watchnan, and the barkeeper
and steward also came up on the Philadelphia,
Gideon j. Pillow. ir son of Gen. Pillow of Tennes
see is supposed to be among the lost. Mr.. Robert
johnson of Kentucky was saved. ,
Capt Mcmillan, Mr.. CLINE, and James Reld' pn9t,
were ON watch at the time of the accident. The pilot
saws that the steam was little above the ordinary
puage and that lac could distinctly hear 1t escape Us
he stood at the wheel in the pot-house.
The light of the burning steamer was seen ny '"o
boats, and was also seen AT Memphis
The majority of the wounded were badly hurt nut
all were well cared for at Memphis.
Great praise awarded to the officers of the Susqne-
mama. She few miles below at the time oil tne
explosen and was soon alongside of the wreck, rem
dering all the assistance she could.
ICapt Cline referred to in the above letter, has
since died of his wounds At Memphis. I'D. GG<tt'