The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-27
DESTRUCTION OF A FERRY-BoAT.
Exciting scenes-NarrOw Escape of the
Passengers - Ladies' and Gentlomen
Seek Safety by jumping Overheard
They are All Rescued, Etc.

Passengers - Ladies' and Gentlcmen
Seek Safety by jumping Overheard
They are All Rescued, Etc.
At fifteen minutes past seven last evening, as
the ferry boat ldoho, OF the Brooklyn Ferry
Company, was leaving the slip, foot OF South
Seventh street, Z. D., Tor New York, flames sud
denly burst forth fro n the centre house, from
some cause at present unknown, and the most
fearful excitement Immediately pervaded the
crew and passengers on board, and with good
reason, as they spread with fearful rapidity.
Fortunately, there we're only about thirty pas
songers on board at the time, or the loss OF LIE
would doubtless, have been fearful. AS 1t was,
those on board were rescued with great dlifi-
Guilty,
The ferry-boat Canada, of the Division avenue
and Grand street hne, 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 burn
ing boat, and took of her passengers. This was
done amidst the utmost excitement and danger.
Indeed, the flames spread so rapidly on board
the Idaho, that the officers of the Canada were
apprI hensive of being engulfed IN them, and
drew off, leaving several persons to their fate.
Those left on the burning boat were Michael
Cormck, OF No. 96 Fourth street; Mrs. Mary
Wood, of No. 40 Bedford street, New York;
James O'Neil, engineer; James Kelly, deck
hand; and Mrs. Pauline DArfer, OF Bergen, New
Jersey. These imperllled persons acted most
heIoically, and looked death IN the face with
the composure of martyrs Engineer 0'NeI
seeing no possibility OF saving the boat, gather
ing those on board about him, stated succincty
the situation, and pointed out the only means OF
safety which was by jumping INTO the river,
with the possibility oil being rescued by several
boats then in the vicinity.
glance was sufficient TO convince all that
this was the only means of escape from hor
rible death, and, Joining hands, they took the
fearful leap. 0'Netl's heroism on this occasion
deserves 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 10 his care in the
treacherous waters of the East river were saved
and Brought safely on shore. ..
II is understood that the husband of Mrs.
Wood and her tour children we're on board the
Idaho at the time she took fire, AMI got on
hoard the CdnOdd In safety. number OF parties
in small boats rescued those who jumped over
hoard and they received prompt attention by
the citizens when brought on shore.
After the burning boat was abandoned she
drllted uptE river to wards Greenpolnt, ana was
followed by other boats belonging to the Com
pany,- they keeping constant streams OF water
upon her burning hull. Victory steam engine
No, l3 did good service on board Que of the
boats: but all efforts proved unavailing to extin
guish the flames, and the Idaho drilted to Green
noiut. burned to the waters edge, and sunk. Hel
value was about $50, 900, and it Is said that there
was no insurance upon her.
During the fire, man named James Turley
aoed twenty eight, residing at the corner o
Third and lie wis streets, went to see the sight
and stumbled over log on the South Fourth
street pier, breaking his leg. He was conveyed
to the hospitality. Y. Herald, today.