New-York tribune., 1872-04-12
A CHAPTER OF HORRORS.
TERRIBLE DISASTER on THE MISSISSIPPI
EXPLOSION ON THE STEAMER OCEASUs-ovgR

TERRIBLE DISASTER ON THE MISSISSIPPI
EXPLOSION ON THE STEAMER ocEASUs-ovHR
SIXTY LIVES LOST.
CAIRO. H., April 1i.-At4 o'clock this morning the
steamer Oceanus, from Red River 10 st. Louis, when
near Brooks Point, 30 miles above Cairo, exploded
her boiler, blowing her upper works almost
entirely away, Immediately after which the wreck
took fire and burned to the waters edge. Mr.. Tfomp
son, pilot Of the steamer Jobni which
lying few miles below, on seeing the light from
the burning wreck, manned yawl and proceeded
mp the river to ascertain tho cause. He found
small party Of survivors on Head Island but passed
On TO relieve those on the wreck. Ten or IL were
clinging TO the wheel but the wheel dropped before
he reached them aud all but four were lost. IL
found deck passenger, name unknown. near the
Shore badly scalded, but he died before arrival at
Cairo The steamer Belle bound mp, took nearly all
the survivors. Thompson rescued Pilot Harris who
subsequently went TO st. Louis the Marble City
The latter states that Wiggins their Red River
pilot, was drowned.
Harry Tripp pilot on the watch, and Capt Reader
were buried in the wreck, and were heard calling
desperately for help but the fire had gained such
headway that they could not be reached, and were
burned. Mr. Fisher, the carpenter OF the ill-fated
steamer, who reached here on the Shreve, was not
seriously hurt He states that the second engineer,
hle&anueT henneuy, was terribly scaIucu, anu rem
dered helpless and blind Fisher put him on largo
plank with others, but the plank soon capszed.
drowning several, including Kennedy. George
Keithley, first engineer is supposed to be lost.
Henry VI. worsham first clerk has not been since
the exposion he expected to through from Cairo by
rail but was tho boat after leaving here Charles
worsharn second clerk, Jules Dempewolf steward and
Charles Muvay, cabin boy, were found dead floating In
the river with life and brought here
by the steamer Shrcve 1t Is supposed they chilled
to death There five lady passengers. aii Of whom
are supposed to be lost The bodies OF four ladies
seen floating past wason's Landing, to-day, but
not recovered
Mr. Fisher thinks that the pilot. Harris and himself
were the only employees Of the boat saved though tho
Belle st. Louis may have picked up some. The officers
Of the Shreye state that there about cabin and
IS deck passengers, making with the crew. nearly io
abont so Of whom supposed TO have been lost The
greater portion OF the survivors being the Belle 81.
Louis names of passengers trustworthy
estimate Of the number lost be obtained
except from her. Fisher describes the effects Of
the explosion terrific beyond conception, the whole
upper works Of the boat being lifted bodily. and falling
back the boat and into the water completely shat
tered He saved himself by securing plank and Goat.
ing until rescued by the yaw Of the Lumsden. lie was
In bed at tie time and, though covered with rubbish,
was only slightly bruised
The steamer Oceanus In the Carter Red River Line
She about year s3s.0Oo and Was insured for
$4,000 In Cincinnati and Wheeling Offices
LATER.-The steamer Grand Tower, Just arrived. re-
ports first engineer and mate and so other
the Belle 81 Louis