Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-28
Destruction of Steamboats, at Memphis.
The Zee Comes Tearing Down. Rips
Away the Docks, Crushcs the steam-
boats, aud sinks the Barses-Ehe City
Without Coal.


MEMPHIS Tenu., Dec. 27.-Last night the
ice gorge at Hen and Chickens, Just above the
city, at two O'Clock broke and the ice came
down with terrific force, sweeping of the dry
docks, then cutting down ten harges of coal,
and finally steamer after steamer from the
wharf, until it was thought not 4 single one
of the large number lying there could he saved
Six boats were carried off, The tow boat Nellie
Thomas is living IN a critical condition, and it Is
doubtful whether she can he saved. Two OF the
lost steamers are loaded with cotton.
The bluffs in front of the city and levee are
lined with people watching the strange speCta-
Gle of the destruction by ice of the boats IN the
river. Just above the foot of jefferson street
lies the r. ?. Walt, crowded on shore and
broken in two; above her Is the Belle Pike sunk
to her guards and supported by empty barges;
just below lies the Laura badly broken. The
crews are busy engaged in wrecking the steam
erS. to save all that is possible before he ice
changes their condition. Just at water gauge
lies the West Wind, driven on the bow of the
White Star wharf boat her topper works COM
plete wreck, but the hull with $50 bales of cot
ton comparatively uuiniured; just astern, and
crowded in the aiterguard OF the wharf boat, lies
the Andy Baum, with her upper works badly
damaged and the boat in precarious condi-
ton. The wharf boat is but little injured AT
its stern, lying with their guards and upper
works smashed, are the Arlington, Glasgow,
and st. Francis. Owing to the confusion and
strenuous efforts of the crew to save everything
possible, and guard against further danger, il
is impossible TO obtain reliable datas as to the
loses.
The Walt is owned by Elliott Brothers of
Memphis, who are now engaged in Wrecking
her and saving all the cotton possible. The
Laura sill be a total loss. She is owned by
Capt James, her commander. The Belle Pike
will prove almost total loss, together with her
cargo of Cotton. She is owned by the st. Louis
and Naples packet company. She is being
wrecked
The dry docks, after being driven down to
the foot of Exchange were secured and Will
probably be saved, though they and the steam
er Pat Claiborne are in a critical condition !;
likewise the Nellie Thomas, whose upDer works
are crushed, The West Wind, belonging TO
Massingale, and Bowman of Nashville, is in
great peril having been stripped Of her upper
works ana forced against the wharf boat with
such power as TO break her shafts. The Undine
and Helen have broken loose, and the Summer
Koon has sunk out of sight. The Cippef tow
boat, was driven TO the head of President g
island, and will prove o total loss. Brown g.
James have lost StaO,00G worth of coal leaving
only three days supply iii the bands Of dealers
in Memphis
The gas works which supply the city are with
Out Gays supply of coal. Dealers have adj
vanced the price 10 two dollars barrel, which
will cause great suffering among the poor
When the breakup occurred and tie Andy
Baum was driven down on the wharf boat Tay-
lor Wells, one of the pilots attempted to jump
from the hurricane roof On the wharf boat, but
fell INFO the river and was badly crushed by the
ice. He was rescued with great difficulty. john
Clinton and the barkeeper also leaped and were
badly bruised
The James Howard arrived from below and
made several efforts TO pull the City Of Augusta
out without being able to move her. The river
is still rising, having risen three and half feet
since last evening.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 27-LdteT.--A gorge formed
at Randolph again to-day, but broke in the after.
noon. The ice at six o'clock was running
heavier than ever, The James Howard sue
ceeded in saving the Undlne, Helen Brooke and
CITY of Augusta. The work of wrecking the K.
P Walt, Belle Pike, aud West Wind, is being
pushed with great energy.
Messrs Brown and Jones lost eighty coal
boats and barges. Their entire loss is $3.50 900,
on which there is no insurance. Tie total loss
by the disaster will not fall short of quarter
OF q million dollars. All the steamers at the
landing have steam up, anticipating greater
danger tonight.
The short supply of coal is the ali.aJsorbing
tcpes and the question is asked whether the gas
companies can supply their customers
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Dee. 27.-At nine tonight
the river is falling. 1t has gorged again a Ran,
dolph. Steamboat men are all on the q1yi UiUe
Tor another crash OF ice. The James Howard
after extracting the City of Augusta, has got a
line ashore at the foot Of Jefferson street, but is
unable to get into the shore. The S. Walt is
considered lost. She is owned by the Elliott
brothers OF this city, valued at sac, 900 and in.
sured for $4,000. Her cabin furniture has all
been removed The cotton on hoard was saved,
The Belle Pike is a total loss. She is valued at
$4,000, and is insured for $40 900 The whole
loss thus far does not exceed 100000. The Ii,
Z. ferger lies against the bar on the Kansas
shore unframed