The New York herald., 1865-05-02
the MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT DISASTER
satement OF Passcnger-Appalling
Details.

Details.
from the Memphis Bulletin.l
Mr. W. D. Snow United States Senator from Arkansas,
furnishes the following parcuas-
On the morning Of April q, about three o'clock was
by sensible tremor shudder passing over
the boat but heard explosion. Not anticipating such
terrible arose and % aass o.
steam being driven through the cabin by the wind.
opened the door OF staeroom and in an instant real
lied the Of the that the boiler had exploded
killing and scalding many that the pilot house and at
third of the cabin roof had fallen in that the
boiler deck and boat fire, with n fresh breeze
carrying the flames with lightning like rapidity through
the balance Of the cabin towards the ladies' saloon
back 10 avoid ss' ~ pans and Sss
and rushed to the rear Of the boat, which was
in the channel and much nearer the tennessee
than the Arkansas side looked towards the Ten
nessec side with Of eaping but found it sea OF
heads close together that impossible to jump
Arkansas shore which about three quarters OF
mile distant. Ipsssed over several bodies q dead men
occurred some moments pnor my advent that part
n the boat found the of heads this side,
ss S e. ; sys Sss s
possible 70 q open place 70 leap in Prior 70 eapins
several husbands fasen life 70 their wives
Cling mass below struck ont for the Arkansas shore,
and reached log lodged in nfteen eetsof water among
four BY my watch which had not ceased to run after
four hours Of EXPOSURE was rescued by the steamer
The sulssna consipsd two thousand one hundred and
pecked had awakened my curiosity, and Ilooked over
With the clerk his certificates and books before retiring
fhIs hdb6f Included eighty Ave hands employed the
boat There wtre eoe females besides few children
The bulk Of passengers were returned prisoners from
Andsrsonve which place they left the 18th OF last
February Among them were the remnant at that point
OF the prisoners captured at Cbckamauga and Gettys
burg. They numbered altogether one thousand nine
hundred and Extysix men and thirty-six ON
ccrs A large number Of horses were on the
boat which provdentiAlly became unresistng vic
tins TO the flames Had they broken loose
the fate Of the sv4mmcrs would have been determined
within two hundred yards OF the boat As as can
be estimated without other data than observation between
three hundred reached the bank while aboat an
equal number noated down the stream on doors and fur
nitpTs.
A dense mass estimated Of about ive hundred, took
refuge the bow Of the boat while the flames were
driven an by the wind few moments afterwards the
wheel houses oosened by the CONCLUSION and anlef fe
of outward, And the boat turned kefh 81 stream, re-
eersing the flames The largest part Of this number
must then hsve pcrshed they had material at
hand 10 throw sustain themselves except few
bales Of hay, which Immediately seized on the
turning Of the boat The gang planks thrown over
board but sank OF under their living freight and
far out Of reach for most The yawl boat
launched bottom up from the hurricane deck, upon the
heads Of those below and afforded support for few In
that condition The whole time before the boat
entire sheet Of flame could not have exceeded twenty
minutea not than onethird OF the distance
20 shore when observed tho fact The prisoners repre-
sont ed almost every State the Union Texas and
the calamity will be widely felt battle Of no In.
considerable proportions.