Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-09

eued they would be drowned. Eager
hands instantly few to and launched the
steamers boat, and into it ore of the geta-
Itlemen sprang. But its condition was such
that the water poured in through the
bottom, it soon filled and finally
turned over and its occupant, IN
stead of being able to rescue his friends,
was forced to cling to the bottom for life.
To the cid of the struggling men life pre-
servers were thrown, but the tide was run
ming up and these could not be reached or
were not SEEN Fortunately the steamer
Waccamaw, with party of colored e1cur-
sionists was coming on behind, and was but
about from one to two miles of, and was
making all Roadway, seeing the accident,
| to the rescue A boat was lowered when
within about hundred yards, but, alas,
ere it came up one of the party had sunk
to rise no more Messrs. Arey and Ellers
were taken in completely exhausted and in a
sinking condition-both had in fact sunk
two OF three times. Mr.. Meares was no.
where to be seen. Just yerging into man
hood, ripe in the enjoyment of youth and
vigor, in the full flush of health and hap
piness, he thus met his untimely end. A
lofty, noble, generous spirit was with Its
Maker. His companions in the struggle
against the waves heard his cries for help,
but were powerless to save Almost drown
ing themselves, their souls were filed with
horror at his condition, and they saw him
sink just as the boat left the Waccam w.
He had tried to stem the current i'll the at
tempt to meet the rescuing steamer, but
his strength had failed him and he sank
just as help had almost arrived. Had it
been delayed a moment later his compan-
ions would have drowned with him. They
had been in the water about twenty min
utes
The Brandt WAS taken i'll tow by the
Waccamaw and brought to the city, bear
ing the rescued parties and the sad intelli-
gence. The Waccamaw was chartered by
W. FL. Moore, who did all he could towards
the rescue of the party, and the small boat
that went to the rescue was manned by
Lem Brown and Jere Cocoran, to whom all
honor for their noble deed for the sake of
humanity be attached.
On reaching the city the sufferers we're
cared for. Mr.. Gillican's injuries were at
tended to, but in spite OF all aid he died
as {; relief to suffering. He was a boy of
steady habits and of excellent disposition.
Master McLaurin is doing well, though
his face and hands are quite badly burned.
Mr.. Arey was much indisposed yesterday
with fever and exhaustion and quite de
lerious, occasioned by his mental suffering.
Mr.. Eilers is up but weak. Every effort is
being made for the recovery of Mr.. Meares'
body, but though the search was common
oed yesterday it has not yet been found
The effort is continued and will be contn-
ued night and day.
Below we give the report of the jury of
inquest over the body of Mr.. Chilean
This jury investigated fully the cause of
the accident and examined many Witness
ea. We append the verdict in full:
WILMINGTON, N. c., July 9th, 1869.
We, the undersigned, summoned by John j.
Conoley, Special Coroner, to inquire into the
cause OF the death OF Il. al. Henry GiIligan, after
being duly sworn and hearing al the evidence
known to them submit the following verdict, to
wit That the deceased came to his death from
Injuries received by the explosion of the steam
tug Brandt on the 5th day of July, 1869, on her
return trip from an excursion tu the Black Fish
grounds. We find that the accident occurred
from defect IN the steam chimney of which the
officers anu owners, We ara satisfied, had no
We also satifiett from the evil
dence submitted to us that the test applied to the
boiler blythe y p. Inspector Mr.. r. f Hcnes, |
while doubtless fnlhlling all the requirements cft
the laws of the o. g. entirely Insufficient to
ascertain the real condition Of the boiler,
(Sgned)
John y. Bailey, foreman Benz ?. Pridgeu A.
B. Shepperson, ". p. Oldham, W. r. French, J.
W. Potter, h. O. Dudley, j A. Bradley, Sylvester
Petteway. c. w. Oldham, James Fleet, JAS. n.
Hinton.