The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-02-08

Tic followcd and would have drowned but
far the manly heroism of Captain henry
Fitzgerald, who coming up to the place anu seeinS
a female in the water, descended to her rescue
As Can't. Fitzgerald was letting himself down. the
rome heinz burnt gave away and he was plunged
into the deep. Although he could not swim, as
tho boat was near he succeeded in resculng the
ladv The FIVE being safely in the boat, emptled
il Of the water, and went the assistance OF the
others Can't. Fitzgerald in his efforts to release |
others left the steamer almost naked.
M VIM DENNY. Jr, of Norfolk, who was in the
afr of the INNER saloon, was awoke by the stopping
of the steamer, and hearing the cry for buckets
Jumped UP, and hastily putting on his cio'heS'
yushed ont and saw the saloon in flames; ne arous,
al his sister who was in the next stateroom, ana
thew barely had time to escape out OF the ROOM
she HAVING TO leave all her clothes, except those
in which she slept Forcing negro, oy threats
70 aid him. he succeeded in launching the nrst
boat which was on the hurricane deck As soof
as the boat passed the guards, eighteen persons
jumped in Miss DENLY was the last VINO GOT III
! the boat, having courageously waited uh'h ner
hro.bnr was readv to receive her Much praise is
due to Mr. DENLY for getting this boat lauheheu
so soon, The boat took several off whom they
found on a raft.
| The other boats were launched by the crew, ana
both filled with those on board. Fortunately
there was calm prevailing, otherwise the boats
would have been OF little service.
II is remarkable that in the trying scene, the
passengers displayed great GOODNESS, anu even 'ne
ladies rivaled the men In courage .
The seven ladies on board were rescued without
anv injury, excepting one whose arm was hurt In
Getting into one of the boats from the steamer out
save one all had to leave in their night clotnes'
The passengers lost all their baggage, and some
their aU (several had freight on board Dr. a.
r. Troup, of Georgia, accompanied by ms TWO SIS
tiers, lost all their baggage, and s2,oOo IN money
STATEMENT OF JOHN A. BOYDEN, OF SAILS
BURY, N. C.
We loft Baltimore about o'clock Friday even
ino--it had been raining all day. but about 81
o'clock it cleared up, the steamer passed slowly
down the river, the fog becoming thicker and
thicker as it grew later and about P. m the
enoine whistle was blown, and from time to time
was repeated to warn the vessels of the steamer
approach. Occasionally the boat was stopped the
fog late in the night. being 50 dense that nothing
, could be seem At the usual hour all the passen-
GERS retired About two or half past two Satur-
. dav morning was awakened by the hurrylng OF
: the servants back and FORTH and asked one OF
them what was the matter, but got no answer. l
then dressed went on the main deck, and then
learned that it was caused by fire, then went be-
| low and cot my carpet bag and went Immediately
to the upper deck, when I saw the fire which had
spread all over the UPPER part OF the boat. was
q
o main deck again, found men engaged IN getting
the quarter boat ready; at this time the excitement
was verv great; men were running hither ano
J.. thitber. the ladies were rushing about in then
o n;cht clothes barefooted and bareheaded; some
@ were ringing their hands and some were scream
d ing others were apparently overcome by fright
o and hardly knew who were their natural protectors
It in the meantime the boat nearest me was auhche
and in less than minute nineteen persons were IL
! II We then, for fear of being swamped, Gu
IS loose and pushed off, and as did so, one mai
;umncd from the steamer into the water and wa
! n;cked I'M by us In this boat were three ladies
e four negro men to Pull the oars, two negro women
MrJ. p. Walker the second mate took the helm
Z and command of the boat; the boat was pulled OF
10 little way and then hung around the steame
about an hour. We then got in company wit
/. the other three boats which had been lashed to
pether to prevent their separating in the fog and
- noticed a raft tied behind, which were hve o
< sig rersons We took two or three person
ne from the raft and the rest got in the other boa
v and the raft was cut adrift The Captain no" too
the lead; he had light and a compass IN his boa
and after pulling about for an hour we heard
s. hell. never in nv life did hear slch music before
a, it was the most cheering sound that ever salute
It. nv ears-this proved to be the Smith Point Ligf
lie Boat bell; and after pulling in the direction OF tn
re sound for an hour and half, we came sudden
e, unon the LIGHT boat Here I would state that tn
rs fog was so thick that when the steamer was bla
ed ing UP nearly hundred feet, We could not see
III hundred wards off, We were taken on board .
he the Captain and the after part of the vessel give
n I'D to the ladies' who soon provided with III
at and blankets-the blankets had been thrown
the boats from the burning steamer. About
ed o'clock Saturday morning,) we heard fog Will
nd tie, apparently about one hundred yards of; b.
as being unable to see anything, dispatcheda DO
IN to hail the steamer This proved to be the Locu
Point of the Parker Vein line, under command
Cant D. French who said he was bound to Ne
it York. We asked him if he could not take US
Ike Norfolk? He replied that if the fog cleared
rv SO that he could get along, he would; and In T.
his mean time he would lay by US. He according
ar camci along side and invited US on board 1
aft gentlemen accepted, but the ladies were forced
Ter decline on account of their toilets. About dar
zen the fog having cleared away, We got the ladies
hes bolrd the Locust Point, and proceeded to with
eight miles of Norfolk, which POINT we reach
he about a M to day (Sunday.) About 3 a.
md the Georgia came along, and brought US to Norto
,bt When we left the light boat gave three chez
to for its Captain, and when we left the Locust Po
The we gave three times three.
ar The officers and crew numbered about 4O; p
,ry sengers, 90; making in all about 70 souls on boa
vas The following are the names of the passeng'
lch saved:
av- DR.. J R Troup and two sisters, Darien, Ca
cut Fl Northrop, Pioneer Mills, n. e.; Thos. W Fie
md Gloucester C.. H.; Clayton and lady, beaufo
M N n..-o.r Coldehoro q. + Iurt