Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-04-29
rrom lhe M.npLI. AvaIanah, Anrll g.

From The Memphis Avalanch, April &c.
The steamer st Nicholas, Capt BIcMuleu, from
st. Louis, exploded her boilers at Islaud co. under
full headWay at 10 o'el5ck On Sunday right last,
April 9th, 1852 by which nearly sixty lives we're
lest and the boat with a large and valuable cargo
entirely destroyed The destruction Of life by this
accident was, perhaps, greater, in proporionto the
number Of sous board, than was the case on
the occasion Of the memorable explosion Of the
Pennsylvania, which occurred near the same place
| in the spring Of last year.
Below we give the iull particulars of this dread
fol disaster tar as We have been able to gather
them
THE BOAT, IT'S OFFICERS AND CARGO.
The S. Nicholas was what might be termed an
lold eoatLhaving been built at Pittsburg in 1858
/ When first launched she Of the finest boats
Cd the Western waters and enjoyed a reputation as
first class passenger boat for long time, but
Gently she has not been il good repue With tIav-
! elers but vas f4vocite with shippers. She has
| been engaged between st. Louis and New Orleans
! for a considerable time, and has made money for
| her owners. She was owned principally by Messrs.
Reeder and Cline, of S. Louis, the last named gen.
tleman being her first clerk both ere residents of
ST. Louis. At the time Of the accident the boat had
about thirds CT load; her freight consisting
of Western produce, such bacon, lard, whiskey,
grain, ETC. The boat was valued at from S20,000
TO S25 000 and partially insured at ST. Louis.
She was commanded by Capt McMullen, gallant
and prudent officer, who enjoyed unsullied repu-
tation, and is praised by all who knew him for mis-
goodness of heart and strict attention 10 his profes
siOnal duties.
- THE EXPLOSION
took place. as before stated at ten o'clock on Sun
day night at the head of So. Francis Island 1t is
the opinion Of all the survivors that all the boilers
of the boat exploded time, causing complete
and instant wreck Of the boat As is usual in such
cases, no reasonable can be assigned for the
sesident The bciers Of the boat, though somewhat
old, considered safe when properly attended to-
and the engineers are said to have been attentive
and careful. We cannot venture at present TO oFcr
a suggestion as to the cause Of the explosion.
THE BURNING OF THE BOAT.
Immediately after the explosion he boat took FIRE,
the flames spreading with great rapidity and quick
Iy enveoping the whole boat IN one sheet of flame.
No Imagination can conceive no pen depict the |
dreadful horrors of the heart>rending scene which
was presented at the moment when the glow of the |
flames from the burning boat revealed the sad pie>
ture The mind shudders TO contemplate it, and the
heart siclens over the fearful reflection Think Of
it, reader! Picture TO yourself fifty human beings
composed Of bold man, helpless women and limo
ceut children, moment in the enjoyment Of
health, and many Of them quietly dreaming of
home, end, perhaps, of loved ones far away-the
next hurled into mid>heaven left to seek doubt
ful safety in the mereiless waves of the mighty
river or to perish in the even less merciful element
that fast consuming the rail wreck, upon which
they had moment before reIosed in apparent &c,
curly. Draw this picture, and you viii have s0me
idea Of the fearful scene which was presented.
TIE DEATH OF CAPT. MMULLES.
In the vast records of disasters which have os.
Cured on cur Western waters there is nothing TO
compare with the herOism exhibited bp Capt Nc
Mullen the commander of the i'll fated St Nicholas.
At the time OF the explosion he vas on watch, and
was in the pilot house. heavy piece Of timber,
displaced bT the explosion caught his fee aud held
kr-rr4 a~AE h. IL
gagged his right foot but his lett still remained fast
During this time he exhibited great eclicitude fer
he safety Of persons TIE boat, aud not until the
flames had within reach ofhis own body did he
exhibit any anxiety for himself Then finding he
could not release himself he impored those 10 reach
# bis voice to relieve him from his dreadful dilem-
ma requesting at last that some one would bring
IKE and cut Of his leg Every exerlion was made
0 relieve him but without avail, and the noble d
Captain and true man was consumed by the flames, t
Meeting death manfully at his post
FEMALE HERoIsM.
Oue Of the most affecting incidents Of this entire
ragedy occurred IN the conduct Of Miss Kennedy,
ousn Of Mr. GLme the chief clerk and one of the !
,wners Of the boat, She was thrown by the explo-
ion from her stateroom into the river when she \
taught her hand in one of the rings attached to The
ul and hung in that perilous dilemma, when death
TODD threatening either hand To loose her hold
vas to sinkino The wave and to hold on was to bum
aent being an age Of alternating hope and dispair
he remained in this position until The flames actually
urned the hairand skin from her head the onlyplrt
f her body above the water, except the hand by Y
TbicE size clung to the wreck, and that was burned
0 q crisp While in this awful suspense and suffer- 4
ug intensely from he heat, such was her presence
f mind and her wonderful heroism, that, man, 6
yho was worse stunned, erhaps, than herself by .
he explosion, floating by her. in drowning con- :
itiCn, she siezsd him by the hair with her dis =
ngGged hand and heldhs face ont of the water until
sluffWas brought to the rescue of both. 1t often n
sns to the strong arm Of to assist the help >
essness of wonln but in this instance the strength Il
endurance, and courage bet was aronger than :,
er arm, madoa woman the preserver Of herself and I,
ne Of the stronger sex.
THE NEWS OF THE DISASTER AT MEMPHIS. a
The first account of the disaster which reached n
bis city was brought by the Susquehanna, which VI
rrived here al . o'clock P NJ, yesterday. Tie Sas-
uehanna arrived at the Of the disaster in o G.
cry short time after the explosion occurred, end II
1as instrumental in saving many OF those saved s.
rom the wreck of the ST Nicholas. The wounded ii
I'd all those who esesped Unhurt we're received on
oard and every attention bestowed upon them. On h
be arrival Of the Susquehanna here the wounded d
-sre taken in charge by the city authorities and be-
eyolent order of the Sons of Malta and their wants 81
TENDED TO- The absent friends of these who were
blurred by the deporable accident, may assUr-
that every attention and care will be bestowed