The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-01
The BURNING OF THE sULTAEA.
FuH eeOunt OF th- ~sFFIbIa Disaster
Fourteen Hundrca Lives Lost
Appalling Details.

The Cincinnati Gazette of the c9.h con-
tsins full account of the explosion of the
steamer Sultans, on the 9th, from which
We extract;
The following is the Memphis BullstaI's
account of the disaster:
The steamer Sultans, Captain Mason, az
rived from New Orleans last night, the 26ib,
with about 2, 200 people on board, 1854 of
whom were exchanged Federal prisoners
from Vicks6urg, the balance being refugees
and regular passengers from various points
along the river, proceeding towards st.
Louis She left the coal pile at one o'clock
this morning, and had made some eight or
ten miles, when sn explosion of one Of her
boilers occurred. The boat, with its mass of
living freight took fire in the vicinity of
the engines, and in short time she was
burned to the water, and now lies on 8 sand
bar near Fogleman's Lar ding, nothing vlsi-
bic but her charred remains and jsckstsf
standing erect
The scene following the explosion was
terrible and hesrt-rsnding in the extreme.
Hundreds of people were blown into the
air, and descending into the water, some
dead, some with broken limbs, some
scslded, were borne under by the resistless
current of the great river, never 20 rise
again. The survivors represent the screstcs
as sgOniZing beyond precedent. Some
cluug to frsil pieces OF the wreck, IS
drowning men cling 10 straWs, and sus-
tsined themselves for few moments, but
finally became exhausted and sank. Only
the best swimmers, aided by fragments Of
the wreck, were enabled TO reach the
woods, and there take refuge until rescued
by boats sent from the landing here TO
their assistance.
There were about fifteen women and
children aboard, and as near as can be ss-
eertained, not more than two or three had
been found at the hour when this account
was written.
Some of the wretched people were borne
by the current as far down 50 the levee at
this city, and this Was the first intimation
the officers of the boats in port received of
the terrible disaster. A yawl wss imme-
diately sent out from the Marble CITY, and
in a few minutes several persons were
picked out of thewater and brought ashore,
Two were sfterWard found cliDging 10 the
wheel, snd they were also saved. Upon
being brought TO srealization of the cslsm-
ity, the officers of the boats in port, under
notification Of Captain Senior Of the River
Guard, steamed up, and in a short time
were at the burning steamer, where huud-
reds Of people were picked up and brou hit
to this landing, arriving about daylight.
They were met by number of citizens and
ladies, who supplied them with abundance
ofdry clothing from the Qusrtermsster's
Department snd from various stores.
Mr.. John Fogieman, residing on the Ar
kansas side, on being aroused by the noise,
and seeing the burning steamer, hastily
constructed q rude raft, and in this way,
was the means of saving about one hundred
lives.
The steamer Bostona No. 2, Captain
Watson, was coming down stream from
Cincinnati when the explosion occurred,
and rendered very valuable assistance, saw
ing many lives. The POcahontss, Silver
Spray, Marble City, the gunbOat ESSEX,
Rose Hsmbledon and others also rendered
much service.
AT the time of the explosion Captain
Mason had retired from watch, and was
in bed. He was afterwards seen throwing
shutters and doors 70 the assistance of pee
pie in the water, and here all traces of him
vanished. Clerks Gamble and Strstton
are also missing.
The body of VIM. Cruddes, Co I, l5t
Virginia Cavalry, from Wheeling, Va, was
found He had taken the precsution to
label himself. Among the soldiers on
board were thirty commissioned officers
The troops we're of various regiments. and
nearly all exchanged prisoners. They
belonged principally to western regiments.
AT the hour of writing only five or six
hundred person had been saved. Not less
than one thousand lives were hurle1 into
eternity by this most wonderful of all river
disasters. Hon. W. d. Snow, member OF
Congress from Arkansas; wss on board and
escaped nninjured.