Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-23
DEATH ON THE RIVER.
The Steamer Nick Wall Lost.
over 100 Passengers Drowned
Collision Between the X. L. Lee and
Potomac.

crew, struck snag ana sunk at Grand
Lake on the night of the 18th instant.
The boat sunk 10 the hurricane roof and
floated down stream, until the steamer
Seminole, Captain Montgomery, bound
for White river from New Orleans, came
alongside and rescued the surviving pas
sengers. The wreck at present lies
aground about four miles below Worth
/ tons Point. The number of lives lost
cannot be accurately determined. The
boat was heavily loaded, the hurricane
deck being covered with freight. A large
number Of persons were crushed to
death by the falling timbers and freight.
Others we're drowned in the cabin, while
many leaped overheard in frenzy of
excitement and were lost. A foreboding
of danger pervaded the passengers, and
when the disaster occurred the sky was
overcast with dense clouds, the wind was
blowing fiercely and heavy rain falling.
At the moment the passengers were dis
eussing the propriety of asking the cap
tain to lie to for the night. All were
conscious of danger, and many refused
to retire to their berths. The boat sank
Instantly, and was buoyed up by barrels
and freight on board. She was towed
| by the Seminole to Maryland Landing,
where she remained till daylight, when
she broke away from her moorings and
drifted mile or two down the river to
bar, where she now lies. Much of the
freight, wagons, ETC., on the roof has
gone into the river, but much of the
cargo will be saved in damaged condi-
ton.
The hair breadth escapes Of many pas
sengers were providential. The number
of lives lost is estimated at about one
hundred. Too much praise cannot be
given to the officers of the Seminole for
their efforts to save the Inflated passen-
gers from the floating wreck, The pilot
of the Seminole, at some distance below,
saw the stove in the pilot-house of the
Wall overturn when she struck the
snag, and soon saw the headlights of the
snagged steamer sinking downward as
the boat careened. These incidents at
tracing attention caused the Seminole
to be steered directly toward the Wall.
The wreck was reached just in time to
save all who remained alive on board
and all who did not leap in terror into
the water The following graphic de-
scription of the terrible scene is taken
from letter written by Mr.. Monte Hutz-
Ter, of St. Louis, to the Appeal:
After leaving Memphis we travelled on
without any accident, out whenever we
would meet another boat we would have
| to back water or stop running, so that
the waves would not jar OR boat too
much. We continued our journey until
we reached point about three miles
above this point. About eight of us
were sitting around the stove, amusing
ourselves by talking and smoking, when
we felt very severe shock. Of course
we all jumped up. some running one
way and some another. ran out the
front door of the cabin, leading to the
boiler deck, but Immediately after get
ting out on deck everything seemed
quiet. and / turned round and walked
back to the cabin. | suppose the time
that elapsed from the time that left the
cabin until ! returned was about two
minutes. In the cabin ! met Mrs. Poe,
the Captain wife. She asked me if
anything had happened | told her no,
as l did not learn the cause of the
shock, and supposed that we had
merely rolled over log; but / had
no sooner uttered the word mo to
| Mrs. Poe than heard crashing as
Iif the heavens were falling in. | again
made dash for the boiler deck. Mrs.
Poe was Immediately behind me, but be-
fore had made fye steps, which brought
me TO the door Of the cabin, the hurri
cane roof cayed in, dashing barrels,
wagons, plows, and numerous other ar
ticles, which were stacked on the hurri-
cane deck, to the boiler deck, where
everybody had rushed who could get out
Of their state-rooms. ] was thrown
against the smoke-staek on the star
\ board side, as she was then falling on
her larboard side. / thought would be
suffocated by the smoke and steam com
ing up from the engine-room, but by
great exertions | managed to extricate
myself, and commenced climbing boxes
and barrels, or whatever might be there
to catch hold on. was twice pulled
back by the hair, and the third attempt
| made some one caught me by the feet,
and in the struggle to save themselves
pulled my shoes off, which ! lost.
| finally managed to gain the hurricane
deck. and there saw no earthly chance
of escape, as the roof was by this time
crowded and every one seeking something
on which to float. The boat was by this
time under water, nothing remaining out
but the hurricane roof and the pilot
house. | cannot give you description
| Of the sight at that moment, for my blood
runs cold when think of it. The wreck
was still floating down the river, aud we
did not know what moment she would
sink. Women we're screaming for their
| husbands and children, and children for
their parents; but then we saw God s
divine mercy, for just as we thought al
hopes were past, we saw the lights OF
| boat coming up the river, and every one
that could shouted for assistance; Mt
James Vanderyoort. assistant pilot, ny
piece Of paper in the pilot-house and
showed it as a signal Of distress. In
about fifteen minutes the friendly boat
foated along side and made fast TO the
wreck, when staging was thrown out, and
all that we're able got on board the good
4 boat Seminole, Capt p. G. Montgomery
bound foF White river from New Or
leans. Everything was done by the
Captain, crew and passengers of the
Seminole that could be done TO ex-
tricate the dead and wounded and
have them well cared for. 1t has been