Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-11

The Loss Of the maggie Hay xcster-
day Below Helena. 4


A dispatch was received here this
morning from Helene stating that the
sternwheel steamer Maggie Hay, in the
Pittsburg and New Orleans trade, com
ing up the river towing barge, blew up
yesterday afternoon at Island &C, with o
terrible loss Of life as well as property.
Capt. Barney c. Martin, her comm an,
der, the second engineer, and four deck
hands were killed outright The second
clerk and number Of others we're badly
scalded.
A number of ladies from Pittsburg.
who were aboard on pleasure trip, es-
capped unhurt.
The FIRST clerk came on by rail some
days ago, and has been here ever since
watching for the beat. he is going TO
the scene Of disaster by the first boat
that leaves 10 that direction. "Ne 81
The boilers were defective it is re-
ported, and their explosion did not sur
prise some river men who knew the boat
She is complete wreck. "a
The body Of the Captain was brought
to Helena, from whence it will be shipped
home to his friends. d.
The boat was owned by Captain Ben
Coursen and James Rees, at Pittsburg,
and was worth about $4,000. 1t is not
likely that any insurance will be availa-
BILE. She was destined for st. Louis, and
after this trip was to have entered the ST.
Louis and Pittsburg trade. The cargo
on board was light, and consisted almost
entirely of sugar.
The former second engineer made q
lucky escape by being discharged while
the Maggie Hay was OF New Orleans.
The man who took his place, as we have
already mentioned, was killed. The
first clerk probably escaped a terrible
fate by coming via railway.
Island No. &C. it will be remembered,
is some distance below Helena, and only
few miles above the mouth of White
river.
The steamer Commercial, White
river packet, will arrive this afternoon, it
is expected, with the survivors VINO were
taken from the sinking wreck.
Special to the PUBLIC LEDGER
HELENA, February 1.-THE steamer
Maggie Hays, Of Pittsburg, exploded
her middle boiler in the chute Of island
&C, on her way from New Orleans, at
l:3O pm, yesterday. The boat immedi-
ately filled with steam, and caught fire
and burnt until she sunk.
The master, Captain Barney Martin,
was blown into the air from the harricane
roof, and his body was sfterwari found
in the hold.
The second engineer, Henry McDer-
mitt, was badly scalded, and died at five
o'clock.
Jimmy Reese, second clerk, was
slightly scalded, but is now ell right
Three deck hands and one fireman
were killed, and their bodies either blown
in the river or burnt in the wreck.
No other officers or any passengers
were hurt.
McDermitt was buried on the Arkan-
sas side at the foot of Island No. 66.
Capt. Martins body was brought to
Helena on the steamer Commercial, from
which place it will be sent up the river
on the first boat.
The steamer Commercial, coming up
at seven o'clock, landed and took on
BOARD all of the survivors, who will ar
rive this evening at Memphis.
The boat had no freight on her, and she
is a total loss. atwa rnWo
Capt. Matt A. Glass, Of the steamer
Commercial, deserves all praise for has
efforts in attempting to rescue the dead
bodies, and for his attention and kind
nesa to the passengers and officers of the
Maggie Hays.