The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-08
The Western Steamboat Accident
Seventy Lives Lost.

CINCINNATI, December I'm the COLI
sion Friday night between the steamboats,
America and United States the former
steamer was also burnt, but foated out of
deep water, and her wreck lies up against
the river bank. Of her passengers, ninety
six in number, only one is known to be
lost.
The books of the burnt steamer United
States were lost, and reports Of the num-
her of her passengers lost are conflicting.
The best estimate puts the number of lost
at forty-five passengers Including eighteen
ladies), seven of the crew, and eighteen
deck hands. The only southerners reported
among those who lost their lives are gen.
tleman and his sister from Nachitoches, La.
The United States had quantity of Pc
troleum on her deck. The America struck
the United States on the right-hand side,
forward of the steps, cutting into her for q
considerable distance, and sinking her to
her main deck in about two minutes. Fire
was communicated in some way to the pc
troleum, and as soon as the boats came to-
gether they were in flames. 1t is said that
some mistake was made in the signals of the
America. She blew her whistle twice,
which the pilot on the United States appa-
rently did not hear. The America again
signalled by two blasts of the whistle, which
the United States answered, but it was too
late.
W. G. Taylor, clerk of the America, af-
ter securing the books, register, and valua-
bles, went through the cabin, kicking IN the
doors of the staterooms. Owing to this
precaution and the cool intrepidity of Mr..
TAYLOR, there were no lives lost on the
America. Mr.. Inskeep and wife jumped
from the United States to the deck OF the
America, a distance of fifteen feet, and
were saved. The survivors after the terri
BILE accident unite in praise of the manage
ment of the America after the collision.
Not thirty seconds elapsed after the COLI
sion before the United States was mass Of
flames from stem to stern. The America
might have been saved had she not attempt
ed to rescue the passengers on the United
States. Those who were saved owe their
lives to the GOODNESS and courage of the Off
GERS and crew of the America. The pilot
stood at his post until the pilot-house was
burning around him. He then left to avoid
suffocation. .a...-r
The United States was built at Cincinnati,
and cost s230,000; insured for SlO0,O00.
The America was built in 1867, and cost
$40 900; insurance, $4,000, principally
in Cincinnati. 2 IT,.
On the United States, Master Pearce was
saved, but his mother and brother lost.
Captain Joseph McCamont, of Cincinnati,
was burned about the neck. n-t
. Slightly injured: Robert Nelson, of New
port, KY. j. H. Green and lady, and Colo
mel Harris, of Louisville; George a. Mid
dleton, W. W. Hauley, and W. e. Cham
berlain, of Cincinnati Mr.. McFanan and
wife, and Mr.. Hays, of Nashville; j. b.
Fisher, of New York and S. r. Clark, OF
Memphis.
Those lost on the United States are: Mrs.
R. A. Jones and daughter Eva, Waynes-
vile, Ohio; Elijah Fort lcolored). The list
of passengers of the United States cannot
be correctly given, owing to the loss Of the
clerks register. Rev. Mr. Paryin and Rev.
Mr.. Risley, of New York, are missing also,
Mrs. Harriet Warning, Of New Albany, and
a young lady in her employ Mr.. Bigley,
John F. Burns, ]. NJ. Lewdower, NJ. : j.
Look, W. M. Garvin, L. r. Johnson, Mrs.
George W. Griffin, S. Heidelberg, Miss
Mary L. johnson, Steele Bright, O. B. Sap
pington, L. II. Vance, NJ. Elfews, Mr.. Ham
mers, William Briggs, Charles Runk, Mr..
Pope, and MIR. Hogan.
The officers lost are John Fennel, stew
ard; Richard Marshall, second steward ;
James Johns, third clerk James Fennel,
barkeeper; and Dan, colored barber. Mr..
Hayes, Of Nashville, was severely bruised.