Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-25
Burning of the Stcamship Pennsylvania-
pnrficnlnrs nf tho nlannIer. IL

Particulars of tho Disaster.
We take the following from one Of our Rich
mond (va.) exchanges;
The steamship Pennsylvania, of the Phila-
delphia and Richmond line, was destroyed
by FIRE OH Friday night, in James River, near
jamestown. She left here at four o'clock on
Thursday afternoon. The fire was first dis
covered at eleven o'clock at night, bursting
from the boiler deck. The passengers and
crew had scarcely time to save themselves In
their night-clothes on RATS. The flames aft
prevented them getting the boats down. The
names of the passengers are as follows; G.
d. Graham, Of Philadelphia, Mrs. McClurg Of
Richmond, Mrs. Dietz and four children Of
Philadelphia.
All were saved, with the exception of three
Of the children Of Mrs. Dietz, who were
drowned. The steamer Curtis Peck, which
was detained by a storm, passed the burning
steamer and rescued the passengers on the
RATS and those remaining on the vessel. The
Curtis Peck arrived here this morning with
them. The passengers leave to-day for Rich
mond by railroad. The fire is supposed TO
have been caused BY spontaneous combustion.
Great efforts were made to extingu'sh the
fire aud save the passengers.
The PennsylUanid left this port, as usual
on Thursday last at four P. NJ, for Rich
mond, with freight and passengers. In con-
sequence of thunderstorm and the dark
ness of the night, the ship came to anchor
two miles below jamestown at eleven P. NJ
Flames were first discovered issuing from the
hatchway boiler deck, far aft. Immediately
there commenced painful scene of excite
ment among the passengers, Three adults
and four children, who were called up from
their berths, had no time to dress, so rapid
was the spread of the flames.
Passengers hurried wildly about the decks,
the ladies and children screaming with ter
ror. The flames, roaring through the hatch
ways, threatened destruction to all on board,
preventing the men from getting the boats,
which indeed soon took fire, and for while
all hope seemed cut off. Rats were con-
structed by the crew with all possible haste.
One of these was taken charge of by the
pilot, who also took Mr.. G.. Graham, of Phil
adelphia, four children, one of them baby,
and Mrs. Dietz, of Philadelphia, passengers.
As soon as the raft foated off from the ship
It capsized, and all were thrown overheard
amid the darkness Of the night, and three
children perished. Mr.. Smack made great
efforts and succeeded in saving the baby and
catching plank. He was afterward discov-
cred by the steamer c. Peck, floating away
from the burning ship with the child in his
arms, but declined assistance, stating that the
condition of the others near at hand was far
more perilous than himself aud baby. More
pteous cries were distinctly heard above the
storm in the deep darkness of midnight-hours
far away from land.
Mr.. Smack and child were picked up mile
away from the ship.
Captain Teal, with two lady passengers
afteIward got on a raft constructed of hatch.
ways.
Mr.. Cullen, chief engineers Harris, second
| enPineer, with firemen and other hands lef,
on board, commenced building raft of spars
lumber, &C., and just as it was launched, the
| light of the steamer Curtis Peck, in charge o.
| Captain Freeman, was discovered.
The bells of the burning ship tolled unit
the Curtis Peck came up, when the boats were
lowered and first officer Clifford rescued two
lady passengers, the chambermaid, captain
and two of the crew. Cullom, Clifford ant
the fireman returned to the ship, took Of
Harris, the second engineer, and the balance
| of the crew. -.r. -r
The fire is supposed to have originated By
spontaneous combustion in package amonl
the freight Captain Teal and officers behaved
gallantly on the trying occasion. There arr
no tidings of the steamer since last night.