Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-21
rzrnoRAMs.
STEAMBOAT DISASTER on JAMES RIyER.B 'IL

STEAMBOAT DISASTER on JAMES RIvER-BURN-
ING OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES GILL
DREN DOCUMENTARY LOSS.
NoRFoLK July 20.-The steamship Pennsylvania, Capt
Teal belonging the Philadelphia aud Virginia Union
line burned last night in James river nearly oppo-
site jamestown.
The PENNSYLVANIA left Norfolk at p NJ yesterday az
ternoon for Richmond About IL O'Clock at night FIRE
bursting from the boiler deck The passengers
and crew had scarcely time to themselves RATS
aud in their night clothes The boats belonging TO the
steamer could not be unched account OF the flames
The passengers board G. ID. Graham OF Phila-
delphia Mrs. hcCung OF Richmond; Mrs Deitz and four
ehidrer OF PHILADELPHIA Three Of these children
drouned. The steamer Curtis Peck that had been de-
tanned BY Storm in passing down rescued those the
RATS and those remaining the ship and brought them
70 Norfolk this mOtnng The loss by this disaster very
heavy The rescued passengers are to leave to-day for
Richmond. The FIRE Is supposed to have been the result
Of spontaneous combustion. Great efforts made TO
extinguish the flames aud the passengers.
sKcoSD DESPATCH.
NORFOLK, July 2O-The Pennsylvania left this port as
usual on Thursday last four p for chmond with
freight and passengers. In consequence of thunder
storm and be darkness Of the night the ship TO
anchor miles below jamestown at III p n, when flames
we're discovered issuing from the hachways Of the boiler
deck far an Immediately there commenced scene Of
painful EXCITEMENT The passengers three adults and
four children were CALI up from their berths So rapid
the spread Of the flames, they had no time to dress
The passengers hurried wildly about the decks the
ladies and children screaming with terror the flames roar
ing through tho hatchwayS, swept aft threatening the
sudden destruction Of all on board and preventing the
men from getting the boats which ndeei soon took
fire. and for a WHILE all hope seemed cut off,
Rats we're constructed by the crew in all possible
haste and one Of those taken in charge by tie plot
Who also took Mr.. G. Graham passenger and the four
children Of them baby Of Mrs Deitz OF Philade
pha As 90 as q raft hoated OF from the ship it
cspszeS and all thrown overheard at the mercy OF
the Wave Amid the darkness Of the night three o. the
children persisted Mr.. Smack with great efforts,
eeeded in saving ihe baby and catching plank He
was afterwards discovered by the Curtis Peck, floating
away from the burning ship with the child in his armf
Declining assistance he stated the condition Of the 9TH
err hand far perious than that of him
self aud the blby whose pteous cries were distinctly
heard above the Storm in the deep darkness of the mid
night hour, far away from land. Mr.. Smack and the
child picked up mile from the ship. Capt. Teal
with two lady-passengers afterwards got the raft
strueted OF hatehwsys- Mr. Cullam, chief engineer,
Harris second engineer, with the fremen and other
hands were left board commencing to build raft Of
the spars lumber &C. and just they launched it, the
lights Of the steamer Curtis Peck in charge of Captain
/ Freeman, were discovered.
The bells Of the buroing ship tclled until the
Curtis Peck cam- up when Der boats lowered and
the first officer Clifford rescued the two lady passengers
Chambermad, Captain and two OF the crew. No. Cu-
lam Clifford and the Fireman. returned TO the ship and
took OIL Mr.. Harris Second Engineer and the balance Of
the crew. The FIRE is supposed to have originated from
spontaneous combustion IN package fmong the feight
Captain Teal and his officers behaved calamity in the
trying occasion
No tidings of the since last night.
LATER FROM EUROPE-ARRIvAL OF THE AZ
RIGA.
NKw YORK. July 9O.-The Liverpool mail steamship
Africa arrived this renOon.
Her political inteligenceis not Of much importance
The siege Of Nsples has been raised and the constitution
of lSlS proclaimed. The city is tranquil Ii report
ed that Gabad moved Aessns before the 9Th Of the
month.
COMMERCIAL.
Sales Of cotton for the week amounted 600 bales
Prices had declined Is Holders pressing on the
market but their offerings freely met. The stock
in port not decreasing, considering the new arrivals
The weather favorable for the crops Flour had de-
e ned a shilling since Tuesday. Wheat declined ID Corn
steady, without decline Provisions dull Beef slightly
| DEer. Lard improving. Sugar and coffee firm. Rice
heavy. Roin unchanged. Turpentine active at 32s.
Toe London market silently lower, except on Su-
gar which had advanced 6dAls