The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-03

HoRRIBLE.-John Penny baker, second mate of
the steamer St. Nicholas, which was blown up on
the night OF Sunday April "a, at ST. Francis Island
in the Mississippi below Memphis, gives the follow
ing account of the death of Capt McMullen:
was on watch on the evening of the explosion
l came down on deck with the carpenter, Jackson,
! to make coffin for child that had died on board
| was returning when heard the noise of the ex-
plosion- l cannot describe the sound. The lights
were all blown out Jackson and got candle
and cut it in two, which we lighted and then tried
! to see what could do. The first men we saw was
one of the crew and my brother William, who was
badly scaded. was speaking few words to him
when heard the Captain calling out for help. He
was fast in the pilot house, but we could not see
anything, it was so completely dark, and can
dies were all blown out We tried to climb up to
the Captains assistance but could not see where to
go. After the boat began to burn. we got up to the
pilot house, and found the Captain completely jam
med In amongst the ruins of the pilot house. 1t
appears he (the Captain) was talking to the pilot
when the explosion took place. When we, James
Reid, the pilot, and of the strikers found him
we tried every means in power to release him.
The 1re was coming upon us rapidly at every mo-
ment, and succeeded in getting him all out but his
foot. He implored us to cut his leg off, but we
could find no axe. He then said | suppose | must
burn We were criven away by the great heat,
and as we left him he was covered with flames. |
jumped overheard, picked up piece of wood, and
swan from the mouth of St. Francis river to Hele-
ma, about II miles, when was picked up by skff
L have not single scar upon my person. NV
Drotner, w Imam Pennybaker, was Waterman on
board the st. Nicholas, and standing at the af-
ter end OF the boiler, talking to the head engineer
when the explosion occurred. He was completely
enveloped with the boiling water and steam. He
jumped overheard for relief. and was in the water
one and half hours when he was picked up. He
was severely burned from his head to below his
knees He died at his residence in ST. Louis on
Wednesday.
Mr.. II. II. Gillum, the second clerk of the ST.
Nicholas, gives the following narrative of the
catastrophe:
was asleep in the office at the time of the ex-
plosion. The first knew, l awoke and found my
self on my mattress in the river from one to two
hundred feet from the steamer. At first, all was
still on board, and supposed had tumbied over
board, and commenced crying ''man overheard
help" pretty Justify. Had to keep very quiet on
my mattress lest should slip off. Then heard a
second explosion, and Immediately after the flames
burst out. l had by that time foated mile down
stream, but could see the ladies clinging to the
stern, and shrieking most piteously. 1 could only
look towards the boat when the mattress turned
properly. In about half an hour, when the mat
trcss turned around that l could look away
from the boat, saw drove of cattle making to-
wards me, attracted by the sound of my voice.
The twenty-tirst annual parade of the Charles
tor, S. c., Fire Department took place on Wednes-
day last. Four visiting companies present
from other southern cities OF the fourteen engines
five built in Boston, three in Pawtucket, R. l.
three in Waterford N. Y, two in New York city,
and one in Philadelphia-al north of Mason and
Dixon.