Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-02-10
FOR ISTENDAST.
CAPT. THOS. Fl. SMITH. t
The Lnte Disaster OH the Bay--Burning OF
the Iagni1cent Steamer North Carolina.

Saturday morning, about half past l o'clock,
when the steamer was off the mouth of the Poto-
mac, and distant from Smiths Point life boat
about five miles, the watchman discovered fire in
the clothes room, which is situated on the arboard
side of the upper saloon, in the vicinity Of the
engines. 1t is supposed that the fire was commu.
ncated to the linen, in the clothes closet by aboy
who was seen to 60 in with candle.
The discovery of the fire was Immediately re-
ported to Capt Cadnon, who was in the wheel
house, a post from which he had not been absent
one moment after the departure Of the steamer
from Baltimore Capt. C. stopped the boat di-
rccty, and with great coolness put all hands to
work ut suppressing the flames. He Had all the
passengers aroused as quickly as possible, and in
such way as to create as little CONSERVATION rs
possible under the circumstances. Tie steam-
pumps were Immediately put in operation and
continued until they were destroyed by fire; and
the steam was let off directly the alarm was given.
Tire Captain, purser, officers and crew acted with
great heroism, and were the last to leave the
burning wreck. The passengers displayed great
sGlf.possession, and did all in their power 10 aid
each other
The flames spread with alarming rapiliy.-
From the time the alarm was given until the pas
senrcrs were compelled to leave the boat it was
only few short hours. The fire burnt towards
the stern and very soon filled the upper saloon
with dense smoke and fame. It was not long be-
fore the only communication between fore and aft
was through the lower cabin. About 20 minutes
after the alarm, the upper saloon commenced fol-
ling. What made it very fearful was, that those
on fore and aft of the deck conld only communi-
cate with each other by going down below, which
it was very dangerous to do, as the wood work
around the machinery in the lower cabin. was
burning fercely. All efforts to save the steamer,
however, were unavailing, and the passengers and
crew had to make their escape by the boats and q
raft. The deyouring element spread with such
fearful rapidity that t. lives were lost. The
Rev. Dr. Curtis, of South Carolina, and q negro
steward The survivors reached tho Smiths
Point Life Boat in safety, after wandering in the
fog for several hours and were subsequently taken
off by the steamer Locust Point, Sunday morning,
where they were taken off by the steamer Georgia
and carried up to Norfolk and Portsmouth
Capt. Cannon acted nobly. After having stood
by the wheel from the time he left Baltimore un-
If the fire occurred without any refreshment,
be worked with indomtable energy to subdue the
flames. Finding this useless, he superiptended
the construction of raft for the safety of the
passengers and crew, supplying it with compass
and light He was the last to leaye.the burning
vessel and had almost to be forced into the boat.
The captain lost $3.50 in gold of his own money,
and all his wardrobe. His heroic conduct will
never be forgotten.
After the fire broke out. Lloyd 3. Parks, the
purser, regardless of his own safety did ali that
man could do to save the lives of the passengers,
and inspire them with the courage he himself pos
sessed. He gave his attention particularly to the
safety of the ladies. He saved the passenger
list, (which is published ut the close of this ac-
COUNT but lost the passage money and large
amount Of individual funds He did not leave
the steamer until he was scorched with the heat,
and in launching q boat, his ear was severely
burnt. He even divested himself of his shawl,
and cutting it up, made covering for the feet of
the ladies' who had to leave their shoes and stock
ings in their retreat. Having ascertained that
all the ladies were safe, and male passenger or
member of the crew appearing, the boats and the
raft Showed off from the ll-fatel and now rapidly
burning steamer
The cooluess and bravery of the eng gineers con-
tributcd much to the miraculous escape of those
on board. By letting off the steam Immediately
and turning it in the cabins to smother the flames
and dissipate the smoke, many lives were saved.
1t is stated that every man belonging to the
steamrr-oficers and crew-acted coOlly and
bravcly aud to their courageous efforts, iii great
degree, is ascribed the escape of all the passen-
gers save one
1t was impossible to save the mails Mr.. Will
son, the efficient mail agent, did all he could to
render assis stance to the passengers. The Govern
ment cannot complain, however, fnr by mere
accident, S200,00 of Government funds, which
were TO have been taken down in the North Caro-