The New York herald., 1871-01-16
A MISSISSIPPI DISASTER.
Burning Of tho Steamer =. 7. x9c-
0ill Below Memphis.
Thirty Lives Supposed to Have
Been Lost.
PARTICULARS OF THE CATASTROPHE.

MEMPHIS, Jan. Is, 1871.
The steamer T. L. McGill, from st. Louis for New
Orleans was burned on Shoo-Fly bar at nine
O'Clock last night The fire broke out aft. Owing to
q gale prevailing the flames spread rapidly and the
passengers had barely time to rush to the bow and
plunge into the water before the fire upon
them To add to the horror OF the the weather
was intensely cold and many who plunged into the
river were chilled and sunk to rise no more
The Survivors gave imperfect and conflicting re-
ports. The boat had been aground for two days.
and had unloaded 200 tons OF her freight in order to
get over the bar. She was laden with 900 tons OF
general merchandise. including pork and coal Oil.
Just as the passengers preparing to retire an
alarm OF Gre was raised and o general stampede en-
sued.
The steamers st. Francis and Ann White, which
had passed her, were several miles above, but see
ing the fire. turned back aud arrived In time to ren
der valuable assistance. The II. G. Yerger, lying
near by. also rendered assistance. The
Ann White brought up the following
persons. picked up along the shore:-
Oliver Cottrell, first engineer St. Louis; Isaac
Austin, stoker; Jerry, Larry and O. II. Crane cooks;
Pat Collins deck sweeper, Moline, ILL.,; william
0'Brien, rouster Chicago David Il. Jones, d. Sher-
man. Ohio; Frank Green, Bevldere. WIS.,; Thomas
Rogers, cabin boy, yicksburg John Black, cabin
boy, New Orleans; Abe McFau, Cairo; and the fol-
lowing passengers:-W. s. Evil, st. Louis, Mo-; Peter
McGiyen, st. Louis, Mo-; d. A. French Moscow, KY;
Jerry Daily, ST Louis; A. J. M. Colwell, Hickman
county, KY; Valentine Fox. St. Louis; william
Johnson Coy. New Orleans; Mr.. Shlnglepreex, Mil
waukee; @. L. Barnes, Bartlett, Iowa; Michael
| Kelly. st. Louis; and also the following colored
| ustabouts:-Dennis Lewis, George Malone Port
Jones, Alexander Johnson. Alfred Pethon,
Charles Brown, Henry Hudson, Frame Nelson.
Charles Brown (No. p, Henry Clay, Moses Hill.
| Richard Hill and Samuel Willing
| It was hoped that Captain Tompkins and W am
Mcfarland, the first clerk, were saved; but the
rival OF the ST. Francis tonight gives little encour-
agement to the thought that they still live. SO con.
fused and contradictory are the reports that 1t Is I'M
possible to give an accurate estimate OF the number
OF persons lost; but Is probable that thirty OF those
on board the steamer when the flames were first
discovered are now dead, and that the number In
cludes four women and three children.
Thomas F. Evans. barber Of st Louis, cied
soon after he was placed ON board the ST. Francis
from wounds and exposure
In addition to Captain Tompkins and william
Mcfarland, the rst clerk. who are supposed to be
lost. German and his wife missing; also car
penter from st. Louis, who was bound for Green
Vile, Mtss two women, three children, the coored
| chambermaid and Philip Lock- OF Philadelphia, Pa.
Mr.. Everett, Of st Louis. who came here on the St.
Francis, saysl that man and his wife, who were
cabin passengers, noated past them, holding on to
the stage plank. AS they went by with the current
| the woman said to her husband, 81 am freezing
let's die together" She then let 90 the plank and
her husband grasped ner but he was too exhausted
to maintain her above the water, ana both sank
| locked In each others embrace.
C0ttrell, the engineer thinks that at least fifteen
persons were lost The pilots kelly and Murray
were saved, Kelly badly frozen; also william Wood.
run, second clerk; John Groanig, steward, and
George L. Russell, cook. The former was saved by
the exertions OF the officers OF the st. Frapcs and
was badly chilled when found. Mr.. Woodruff re
NAMED with the freight. Captain Tompkins and
Mcfarland were last seen on the boat. using every
exertion to the passengers. IL is feared they
are lost though hopes are entertained that they
may have reached shore.