The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-28
Particulars of the Smuggling of the
Nick Wall,

Particulars of the Smuggling Of the
Nick Wall.
A survivor of the sunken steamer Nick
Wall, who has reached Memphis, relates
the following circumstantial details ofthe
fearful disaster: Tho accident occurred
about four miles below Worthton's Point
The majority Of the passcngers-about
thirty-had retired; eight Of us were sit
ting around the stove amusing ourselves,
when we felt q severe shock and jumped
up, some running one way, some another.
| run out tho front door leading to the
boiler deck, but Immediately after getting
out everything seemed quiet, and l turned
round and walked back to tho cabin l
suppose the time that elapsed from the
time l lett the cabin until l returned was
about two minutes, when crash came
and the hurricane roof caved in,
dashing barrels, wagons, plows and
numerous other articles to the boiler-deck,
where everybody hnd rushed who could
get out Of their state.roOms. l was thrown
against the smokc.stack, but by great OK.
GrtiOns managed 10 eXtriCatc myself, and
commenced climbing boxes and barrels,
and was twice pulled back by the hair,
and the third attempt made some one
caught me by the feet, and in the strug-
gle to save themselves pulled my shoes
off, Finally managed to gain the hurri.
cane deck. There l saw no earthly chance
Of escape, as the roof was by this time
crowded, and every one seeking some.
thing on which to float. The boat was
by this time under water, nothing remain.
ing out but the hurricane roof and pilot
house. cannot give a description Of the
sight ut that moment, for my blood runs
cold when think it. The wreck was
still lloating down the river, and we did
not know what moment she would sink.
Women were screaming Tor their hus.
bands, and children for their parents. Just
us VIC thought all hopes were past, we
saw the lights of boat coming up the
river, and every ono that could shouted
for. assistance. james VandervOorst, rs.
sistant pilot, lit piece Of paper and
showed 1t rs signal Of distress.
In. about fifteen minutes she made
fist to the wreck, when all that
were able got on board the Seminole.
Everything was done by the Captain,
crew and passengers OF the Seminole that
could be done to CxtriCate the dead and
wounded. a nephew OF Capt. Poe, the
commander Of tho Nick Wall, while en-
Cleavoring to escape from beneath the fall
ing bales and boxes, was crushed, and
finally Tell into the river and was drown.
ed. The Pargoud passed the wreck Of
the Nick Wall about two hours after the
disaster, and the Captain and officers and
crew rendered the unfortunate people
taken from the Wall every possible kind
ness. Those going down the river were
taken by the Paragoud to their destina-
ton without charge.
Mrs. Poe was found wcdgcd in the
cabin between boxes and barrels. In
cutting through the hurricane roof the ax
struck her head, causing u slight wound.
She was brought TO the Seminole, and Is
doing well. When the dead bodies were
brought in, the scene beggared descrip.
tion-husbandS searching for wife and
children, and children for parents among
the bodies. Twenty-Five bodies were
taken out of the wreck, and many others
were on the lower deck, which was under
water. When Mis-. Poe was found the
water was up TO her chin in the cabin. A
gentleman, with his wife, daughter, and
son-in-law-the two latter named only
married few days-NrG among the dead.
They intended to get of about one mile
below.