Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-05-20

copy from the Gazette:
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
The fire originated on board the
Memphis Packet Company's steamer
Clifton, in the nursery, between the
wash room and the railing. The nur-
sery is located between decks, aft, and
might be entered from skiff on the
starboard side. AS there was no ne
cessity for lamp in that part of the
boat at o'clock in the morning, it is
generally supposed that some malic-
ious incendiary had accomplished his
work.
AL THE BOATS DESTROYED.
At the hour named, the chamber
maid discovered the fire, and alarmed
the watchman. on deck, who perform
ed his whole duty by Immediately
arousing the sleeping officers of the
boat in the texas. The latter. how
ever, had only sufficient time to escape
from the burning boat, imperfectly
clothed. When they reached the
shore, the steamer was enveloped in
flame. She had less than seventy-five
tuns Of freight aboard, and was to
leave for Memphis last evening.
The Mary Erwin, steamer which
had made several successful trips to
Arkansas river during the past season,
but which seemed doomed to misfor-
tune, as she had once sunk, and even
on her last trip, homeward bound, had
struck snag and torn off her lar
board guard and injured her hull some
what, so that she had just come off the
the docks, was lying next below the
Clifton, and the fire soon communicat-
ed to her. She had not received any
freight.
Below the Mary Erwin was Captain
John Kyle's new boat, the Cheyenne,
which was to have left for Arkansas
river last evening, and which had
about 500 tuns freight aboard, valued
at $4,000, nearly $4,000 worth of
which was the private purchase of Cap
tain Kyle himself, and had not yet been
insured. The FIRE extended to her, and
she was totally destroyed, with the
Clifton and Mary Erwin. Captain
Kyle was 100000 poorer yesterday
than he was the previous day.
Next below the Cheyenne lay an
other of the Memphis Packet Compa-
ny's steamers, the Darling, a boat
which has, perhaps, done the company
more service than any other belonging
to the line. Her upper works were to-
tally destroyed, but her hull remained
in sufficient preservation to be towed to
the foot of Ludlow street, to avoid OBJ
structing the wharf.
The above are all the boats lying be-
low the Clifton that were destroyed or
damaged !aAa q.
Above the Clifton was, first, the
largest carrying steamer that regular
ly comes to the Cincinnati wharf, and
that can pass through the canal at
Louisyille-the Westmoreland. The
fire was communicated to her from the
Clifton, on account of slight change
in the direction of the wind, and the
boat was totally destroyed. She had
been receiving for New Orleans, and
had considerable freight aboard, includ-
ing some lots of bacon.
Fromthe Westmoreland, the fire ex-
tended to the Melnotte, lying next
above, and destroyed nearly all her up
per works, She was towed to the foot
of Ludlow street in the afternoon. She
had no freight aboard.
The Silver Spray was receiving fol
New Orleans just above the Melnotte
and the fire from the latter boat scorch.
ed her somewhat, while the fire and
water together slightly damaged some
of her freight. The damage to the boat
will not exceed $500, which is covered
by insurance.
THE LIVES LOST.
There were rumors yesterday to the
effect that number of lives had been
lost After diligent inquiry of all par
ties likely to know of such circum-
stances, we rejoice that we are able to
chronicle positively only the loss of one
human life--that of hand on the
Cheyenne, who was drowned. An Ar
kansas river trader, named James B.
jackson, was yesterday reported lost
from the Cheyenne.
As passengers on the Clifton, there
were known to be but tive gentlemen
and one lady. All were saved.
THE EXPLOSIONS.
There was no powder on the Chey-
enne. In the powder magazine of the
Clifton, which was located forward, on
the larboard side of the capstan, were
six or eight kegs, which exploded. OF
course, and blew the capstan some
eight feet aft, but did no damage ashore
as would have been expected. 1t is our
impression that the other explosions
must have been caused by some liquid
in barrels, shipped as petroleum.
OTHER BOATS ENDANGERED.
There were several other boats at the
City Wharf, lying above those that
were destroyed, which were saved by
| a sudden shift of wind at critical mo-
meDt. One of the Newport ferryboats
towed the almost loaded Robert Moore
to safe place, and returned to take the
Alice Dean away if necessary. The
Evansville packet Charmer, lying below
the burning boats, was cut loose, and
foated down to the bridge, else she
would have been lost. The West Wind
towed the Maysville packet St. James
to place of safety.
! THE LOSSES.
For purposes of insurance the boats
were last valued as follows:
| Clifton, $4,000
Cheyenne, $4,000
Westmoreland, 10000
Darling, $4,000
Mary Erwin, $4,000
Melnotte, 1000