Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-04
DESTRUCTION OF A FnnRY-soAr.


ErcitiHy SceneS-Ndrroo Escape Of tie Pas.
sengsrS-Ladies and Gentleman Seek Safett
By humping OrerJoard - THEY gre ali
Rescued, Sc.
At fifteen minutes past seven, on Tuesday
evening,a the ferry boat Idaho, ,ofthe Brook
| lyn Ferry Company was leaving the slip, foot
Of South Seventh street, E. D., for New
York, flames suddenly burst forth from the
centre house, from some cause at present
unknown, and the most fearful excitement
Immediately pervaded the crew and passen-
gers on board and with good reason, as they
spread with fearful rapidity.
Fortunately there were only about thirty
passengers on board at the time, or the loss
oil life would doubtless have been fearful.
AS 1t was, those on board were rescued with
great difficulty.
The ferry boat Canada of the Division
avenue and Grand street line, belonging to
the same company, was luckily approaching
the dock when the fire broke out on board
the Idaho and her pilot promptly ran her
alongside the burning boat and took off her
passengers. This was done amid the utmost
excitement and danger Indeed, the flames
spread so rapidly on board the Idaho that
the officers of the Canada were apprehensive
OF being engulfed in them, and drew off
leaving several persons to their fate
Those left on the burning boat were
| Michael Cormick, of No. 90 Fourth street;
Mrs. Mary Wood, OF No. 40 Bedford street,
New York; James O'Neil, engineer, James
Kelly, deckhand, and Mrs. Pauline Dorfer,
Of Bergen, New Jersey. These imperilled
persons acted most heroically, aud looked
death in the face with the composure of mar
tyrs. Engineer O'Neil, seeing no possibility
of saving the boat, gathering those on board
about him, stated succnctly the situation,
and lu nc faN
which was by jumping into the river, with
the possibility of being rescued by several
boats then in the vicinity. A glance. was
sufficient to convince all that this was the
only means of escape from a horrible death,
and, joining hands, they took the fearful
leap. O'Neils heroism on this occasion de-
serves immortality. In his efforts to save
life he was severely burned about the face
and hands. By his herculean and noble
efforts those WHO committed their lives to
lis care in the lreacherous waters of the East
river were saved and brought safely on shore
1t is understood that the husband of Mrs.
Wood and her four children were on board
the Idaho al tie time she took fire, and got
on board the Canada in safety. A number
Of parties in small boats rescued those who
jumped overheard, and received prompt
attention by the citizens when brought on
shore.
After the burning boat was abandoned she
driited up the river towards Greenpoint, and
was followed by other boats belonging to
the company, they keeping constant streams
of water upon her burning hull. Victory
steam engine No. ID did good service on
board one of the boats; but all efforts proved
unavailing to extinguish the flames, and the
Idaho dritted TO Greenpoint, burned to the
waters edge, and sunk. Her value was
about sixty thousand dollars, and it is said
that there was no insurance upon her.
During the fire a man named James Tur-
ley, aged twenty-eight, residing at the
corner of Third and Lewis streets, went TO
see the sight and stumbled over a log on the
South Fourth street pier, breaking his leg.
He was conveyed to the hospital-Neir
York Herald