The Van Buren press., 1870-02-08
NO33
Loss Of the steamer Anssisaa- -esvees1
Liyo Let.

| 11yOD G01Es 2 4A7s+=ss
The steamer Amsricds, Captain J, n.
Turner, Belonging to the Arkansas Risss
Packet Company, len this port on Thprs-
day, at p. m, for Fort Smith, f'isd With
passengers and heavy freight kst,
About sunrise yesterday morning con-
siderable quantity Of freight csnsisting
OF buckets. barrels. boxes, etc., wss dis
covered floating past the city. and many
skiffs wete soon ongagsd IN saving Whist
could be caught. The marks dIscIesed
that II was part ofths cargo Of the Ameyi-
can, shipped the previous day.
At p. m yesterday, the steamer Fl
Gibson arrived from Fort Smith, bring
ing the particulars Of the disaster to the
American, and the rescued passengers.
We condsuse the following perticulass
learned from the captain and clark ofths
American and from several Of the pas
sengers.
The American proceeded safely until
she reached = poiEt abont mile below
the Beaver Dam, ~ miles above Little
Rock. about 10 p. m. The night was
quite cloudy and dark, and the pilot rang
the slow bell, being in the vicinity Of !
dangerous snag, for which he was on the
look out, but the recent rise id the rivet
had shifted its position somewhat, and
whilst proceeding cautiously the boat
struck it with her larboard bow, staving
in her whole side. She sunk almost In
nietiiatcly in more than fifteen feet water
So suddenly did she sink that In thrse
minutes from striking the water was waist
deep in the cabin. The boat aud cargd
are q total loss.
The hour being late many Of the pas.
sengers, seven OF whom were ladies', hsA
retired. The CONSERVATION was terrible.
and there was an Immediate rush for the
hurricane deck. The boat careened to
the larboard and the cabitf faateningSs
broke up badly, but managed TO bold
Five persons Gfs kHswn to b itst.
Mr Ellis. g most excellent gentleman and
enterprising citizen or this city, partner
in the tirm Of Ellis 4 Barrs, carpenters
and builders, who had taken passage, -
we are informed, for Ozark, on business,
Jumped overheard with the intention Of
swimming to the shore. but met with I
watsry grave. Two white deck hands,
names unknown. and two boys, brothers;
aged 10 and IL years, named Thomas;
who we're asleep At the time, were also
drowned
Tbs passengers. fncfuding jhe ladies'
who were nearly all id their night clothes,
had to remain on the hurricane deck
throughout the whole night, (which was
quite cold, there being heavy frost and
ice. and until 9t .. m. yesterday, whsrt
the Fort Gibson: descending the river;
came to their relief. and broHSht the suf-
and 8 deck passengers, besides the efiicers
and crew on the lost boat A few per,
sons built a raft OF the pilot house and
managed to reach the shore, and It may
be that some other lives were lost.
All the books, bills lading aud valuable
papers were saved in damaged condi.
tisn; also the funds. and valuable pack
ages in the safe.
A number OF deck hands At one time
wanted to rifle what trunks and baggage
could be got at, but the colorcd porter;
whose name We regret wo could not learn;
made fight, and through his efforts most
ly the. little property recovered was saved,
Nearly everything in the way Of baggage
is wholly lost
The clerk Of the boat, Mr. g. w. Cof,
fin, saved the lite Of child who fell off
the wreck, by jumping into the river.
catching and swimming back to the wreck
with it.
Through tho Efforts Of Hon. v. dell.
Of Fort Smith, = purse Of fifty dellars
was made up among the passengers OF
the Fort Gibson, for the benefit OF the
sufferers. On the arrival Of the beat at
Little Rock. many kind hearted ladies OF
our city paid much needed attention to
their wants The local officers OF the
packet company, too, have spared no Of
forts for their relief AL accounts agree
in assigning to the captain, clerk, pilst
and officers generally Of the American,
credit and praise for excellent manage
ment aud foresight No blame 10 attach
ed to any Of them, and all agree that the
accident was unavoidable. TO Captain
Turner'S efforts especially, 10 due the fact
that the loss OF life was not greater. Ap
prchcnsors were entertained for the safe
ty Of Mr.. J. l.. Shfnn, Of Pope county.
we are glad to learn that he got ashore
safely, and has gone home BY stagc.-k
r. Ga-e.te. Jan. 29M.