The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-04-18


CAIRO, ILL.,, April 1.-THE steamer
Oeeanus, from Red River to st. Louis,
when near Brooks Point, thirty miles
above Cairo, at four o'clock this morn
ing, exploded her boiler, blowing the
upper works almost entirely away.
Immediately afterward the wreck
took fire, burning to the waters edge.
{ Pilot Thompson, of the steamer
John Lumsden, lying a few miles be-
low ,on seeing the light from the burn
ing wreck, manned yawl and pro-
up the river to ascertain the
cause. He found small party ofsur-
vivors on the head of the Island. but
passed on to relieve those on the
wreck. Ten or twelve were clinging
to the wheel, but the wheel dropped
before he reached them, and all but
four were lost. He found deck pas
senger, name Unknown, near the shore
badly scaided, who died before his ar
rival at Cairo. The steamer Belle, st.
Lonis, bound up, took nearly all the
Thompson rescued Pilot Harris, who
subsequently, went to Stssauaalis on the
Marble City. The latter states that
Virgins, their Red River pilot was
drowned. Harry Tripp, the pilot on
watch, and also Captain Reeder were
pdried in the debris. They were heard
calling despairing1y for help, but the
fire had gained such headway that
they conid not be reached, and were
burned. Fisher, the carpenter of the
flI-fated steamer, reached here on the
Shreve. He was not seriously hurt.
He states that the second engineer.
Alex. Kennedy, was terribly. scalded,
and was helpless and blind. Fisher
put him on stage-plank with others,
but the stage soon capsized, drowning
several, including Kennedy.
/ George Keithley, the first engineer,
is supposed to be lost. Henry NJ. Wor-
sham, first clerk, was not seen after
the explosion. lie expected to go
through from Cairo by rail, but was
seen on the boat after leaving here.
Charles Worshanl, the second clerk,
Jules Detnpewolf, the steward, and
Charley MHvay, cabin-boy, were
found dead, floating in the river. all
with life preservers on. Their bodies
were brought here by the steamer
Shreve. 1t is supposed they were
chilled to DEATH. -
I There were five lady land
all are supposed to be lost. The bod
les cf four ladies were seen floating
past Watson's Landing to-day, but
werc not. recovered, Fisher thinks
| Pilot Harris and himself the only en-
ployes of the boat saved, though the
Belle St. Louis may have picked up
some.
The officers of the Shreve state that
there were about thirty cabin and
thirty-five deck passengers, making
\ with the crew nearly one hundred
souls, about eighty of whom are sup
posed to be lost. The greater por-
ton of the survivors being on the
Belle st. Louis. no names of passen-
' gers, nor any reliable estimate of the
lost can be obtained, except from her
| Mr.. Fisher describes the effects Of
the explosion as terrific beyond con.
tception, the whole upper works being
lifted bodily, and falling on the boat
and in the wStei., completely shatter.
/ ed. He saved himself by securing a
plank and floating until rescued by
1.-THE yawl of the Lumsden. He was il
bed at the time, and, though covered
with debris,was only slightly bruised
LArER-The steamer Grand Tower
has Just arrived. She reports the frs
i engineer and mate saved, and also
4 thirty two other persons on the Belle
st. Lonis. The second engineer was
saved, but died of his injuries.
i ST. LOUIS, Mo-, April l.-Th,
steamer Oceanus ran in the Carte
Red River Line. She was owned By
Carter s. Conn, Mrs. Rebecca Rieder
Thomas Rea and Harry Dohrman
She cost about year ago 38,0S0 an(
I was insured for S24, 900 in Cincinnati
and Wheeling offices.
SCENES AT THE WRECK.
The Democrats Cairo special says
'Fisher, the carpenter, describes tn,
scene as very terrible and heart-rend
ing. The river aronnd the wreck wa
covered with debris, baggage, bed
! clothing, beds, etc.; much of it burn
ing. The cabin, and about half of tn
deck, had fioated of, and was burning
the Captain i'll the midst of the fire
screaming for help. Men and womel
in the water were throwing up thei
hands and sinking to rise no more
: Six or eightpersons were in the fore
/ castle. and Fisher got out stag
= plank, and all except himself got upol
it, but as soon as it struck the waite
. the plank careened and all upon it per
: ishe1. The steamer Lumsden save,
. John Meeker, Charles Teasdorf an,
John Martin. Virgins, the Red Riv
er pilot, and Tripp, are both dead
Captain Worsham. first clerk, Captain
! Reeder, the commander, the steward
@. f. HUFF, passenger of Covingtor
and many others, are missing. 1t
; fhouobt that from sixty to seVent
persons are lost.