Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-13

The nre very mySJerlOusly pioho Uuo ~
the ladies' cabin Of the steamer BlatE
Hawk, lying short distance below Cahal
| street. ~
The flames spread rapidly, and when first
observed, had made such headway that 1t
was found impossible to eXtinguish them.
I.,fhe city bells sounded the alarm, and IN
short time the entire force of the Fire De-
partment was present, and bravely set to
| work to extinguish the flames, though they
were informed that powder and shells were
| on board in large quantities, I'll
| A strong breeze was blowing down the
| Mississippi at the time, and before the
steamers adjoining could be unmoored and
moved into the center of the river, the 1lre
communicated to them also, and the conse-
quence was that eight were destroyed
| They are as follows:
The Black Hawk was loaded with Gov
ernment freight and was to leave to-day
| She was owned by Captain Fulton, COM
manded by Captain Bricknell, and was
worth about S36,O0O. The Empire Parish
had on fair freight, and was to leave to-
day. She was owned by w. J. Reid q Co.,
and commanded by Captain Bouchereau.-
She was worth about $4,000. The Meteor
had been laid up for a long time, and had
no freight on board. Her last commander
was Captain Johnson. She was worth
about $4,000. The Fawn had just come in
from ThibodauX, and had just commenced
unloading a full freight when she caught
fire. She was owned by Captain w. Il.
Greathouse, and was commanded by him.
The Captain stated that he was offered $l4,-
600 for her last week. Others estimate her
value at $4,000. She was uninsured.
The Time and Tide had nearly discharg-
ed n freight of ordnance stores. She was
owned by Captain Russell and commanded
by him. She was worth about $35000.
The Belle Lee recently arrived from the
Ohio river, and was probably owned In
Cincinnati. She was commanded by Cap
tain Davis and was worth about $30OOO.
She had no freight on board.
The New Orleans was owned by Z. II.
May and Captain May, and commanded by
Captain Ames. She had cargo and was
worth about $4,000.
The Belle Creole had no cargo. She was
owned by Captain Webster Long, and COM
manded by Captain Smith. She was worth
about $7,500. a
The two schooners were probably worth
about $1,000. Their names or that of the
owners, we were unable to ascertain.
ExPI xPIosIoN-GALLANTRY OF THE FIRE DE-
PARTMENT.
Soon after the Fawn caught fire terrible
explosion occurred. Shells now and then
exploded on the Empire, Parish, and other
boats, without occasiOning much alarm; but
when the earth and buildings fairly shook
from the explosion of the Fawn, and the
air was fairly filled with fragments of the
wreck, panic seized the thousands who
had assembled to witness the conflagration,
and all started on beeline from the neigh
borhood, many. | believe, not stopping un-
til they reached their homes.
Fortunately no persons were injured.
The fire department deserve espe cial
praise. as even before and after the explosion
they worked their engines, throwing several
streams of water upon the burning boats
At the time, the Pelican Hook and Ladder
Company were nearest to the Fawn, and
were not more than two hundred feet distant.
Total loss, about $275,OOO.
cIrcpICInIrG