The Portland daily press., 1868-12-08
OHIO.
THE GREAT STEAMBOAT DISASTER.

CINCINNATI Dec. THE details of the col
lision between the America and the United
States come in slowly The indications are
that both boats, at the time of the collision,
were headed towards the Indiana shore. The
Gen. Lytle arrived last night with few OF the
survivors. The charred remains of eight per-
sons have been recovered from the United
States, but none could be recognized.
STATEMENT OF PASSENGER.
New YORK, Dec. THE following state
ment ON the disaster on the Ohio river has been
furnished by one of the passengers aboard the
steamer America:
We started from Louisville at o'clock on
the evening of the 4th inst, on the steamer
America, Capt. Whittier, having ON board
about one hundred passengers, and, including
the passengers and crew, nearly two hundred
souls, as also large cargo of assorted merch-
disc. When the America was abont one and
half miles above Warsaw, KY, she came in
sight of the steamer United States, from Gin
cinnati, bound for Louisville She made sig
mails which were promptly answered by orr
boat, but from some misunderstanding, or as
yet unknown cause, both kept on the straight
course, almost directly opposite to each other.
Upon perceiving the great danger of a coliis-
ion, measures were promptly adopted and
everything done to avert the terrible conse
quences which threatened to arise from the
error. Nothing, however, availed, as it was, or
seemed impossible, to check the course of the
America. Although the engines had been re-
versed, they had not time enough to change
her course, and the collision took place with
terrible effect, the bow of our boat striking the
United States full on her port bow, completely
demolishiDg the guards. At this moment sew
eral barrels of coal oil ON deck were by the
violent conclusion exploded with loud re-
port, and in less time than can write it
seething mass of flames was communicated to
and entirely enveloped the steamer
L had just retired to my state room to sleep
Wnen the bell rang, and the engine stopped,
but surprising that we had made some landing
L took no notice of the occurrence, even after
the crash of the colliding boats occurred. my
impression being that owing to the careless
ness of the pilot the boat had made her laad-
ing before her Roadway had been sufficiently
stayed. Suddenly, however, a light flashed
up, Illuminating my room, and, turning my
head, saw terrific flames of fire issuing from
the United States, and at the same time there
were loud cries of Fire, fire." Rushing out
OF my room the spectacle that met my eye was
a fearful one. The Inflated steamer was COM
pletely enveloped in flames, while our position
became momentarily more dangerous, as the
burning vessel drifted towards us, and we were
perfectly powerless to change our position
The water itself around us was one sheet of
hame. 1t was terrible moment of suspense
and passed without one shade of hope. We
seemed TO be doomed-everybody seeking the
pest means of self-preservation. seized what
lew things could and awaited a nearer ap-
proach to the shore, and, jumping from the
wreck, managed to work my way ashore
amid the cries of the poor unfortunate beings
dying all around me.
Here an arm and there head might be
seem and agonizing cries for help were follow
ed by the stiffness of death. Many women and
children might be seen clinging to the burning
wreck, too distant to be assisted by those on
shore, and lost to every hope. Our position
was certainly more fortunate than that OF the
United States, as the flames communicated SO
quickly to every part Of that boat to leave very
little chance of escape, and her probable loss
is between forty and fifty. My pen is too weak
to portray the horrors of such sight The
terrible spectacle was awful, yet grand, and
the distance we were from any habitation made
the prospect still more horrible. The distance
to the nearest place on the same side of the
river, Florence, was two miles and half, to
which place portion of our party proceeded,
while some went to Warsaw on a small steam
er which passed by two hours after the collis-
ion.
AT about p. NJ the steamer c. T. Dumont
came and released us and conveyed us to Gin
clnnati We, of course, lost everything, some
of us, imprudent enough to disrobe ourselves
on retiring, not possessing even suit of
clothes. Thank God, though, life still remains,
but the recollection of that terrible scene will
haunt my memory for many year.
(Signed) GUSTAvUs f. HALL.