New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-20
ANOTHER DISASTER ON THE RIVER,
Sinking of the Steamer Belle Vernon.

The Cincinnati Times and Chronicle of the
fifteenth says:
The sudden cold snap of night before
last caused heavy ice in the river, and the
underwriters, fearing further damage, Or
dered the transfer of the steamers Robert
Burns, Juniata and Belle Vernon to Lick
ing river to be out of the way Of the ice
in case the river should again freeze up. All
were removed except the Juniata, which
has been left ION the bank" by the recedlng
water, and could not readily be moved.
At about midnight the Belle Vernon was
found to be in sinking condition, and one
of the Champion towboats was immediately
sent for to render assistance, but before
that boat could raise steam the Belle YER
non had gone under. No ice was running
in the Licking, which leaves room for only
one suppOsition as to the cause OF her
sinking, which is to the effect that hole
was made by the ice while she was being
brought across the river during the after
noon. Twelve men were on the boat at the
time of the sinking. and, singularly enough,
no one was aware of the accident until
warned by the lurching of the boat.
She lies with her larboard side to the
shore, on the Newport side OF The river, at
the foot of Bellevue street. The forward
part on the same side is out of water, while
on the starboard side aft the water is
over her guards and in the cabin. Her stern
is in deep water. She is carecned badly to
her larboard side, and looks as though she
might turn over, although her owners had
some slight hopes that she could be raised.
She is owned by j. J. Darragh, captain, I.
J. Darragh. clerk, and James l.. Darragh,
engineer, each having a One-third interest.
The insurance valuation OF the boat is about
$4,000, and she is insured for $4,000, as
follows, in Pittsburg companies Western,
$1,000; Citizens, $4,000; Pittsburg, $1,000;
Merchants and Manufacturers $1,000.
She had cargo OF board valued at from
$780, 900 to $4,000, and insured for 900
or $50, 900 in various Cincinnati companies.
The insurance companies this morning re-
fused free advertisement, stating that
they did not want their losses published to
| the world. Some Of the companies would
| willingly have given us the amount of their
| risks, but as several companies OF probably
| doubtful footing refused to do SO, they were
| compelled to go with the body.
The Belle Vernon was built at the town
! of Belle Vernon, near Pittsburg. Mr. Speer
| being the builder of her hull, and Bunten
| g. Miller of her cabins. Her machinery
| was built by James NJ. Bole, of Pittsburg.
| She was five years old, and in splendid con-
| dition. She has been engaged principally
| in the trade between Pittsburg and New
| Orleans, but was this season entered in the
| Cincinnati, Louisville and New Orleans
Packet Company's line of steamers. She
| has always proved a fair investment. Her
| owners are young men, and the loss Will
doubtless fall heavily on their shoulders;
but all possess pluck and courage, and will
doubtless replace the Belle Vernon with
| another boat.
| Among the freight on board was a pack
| age which was on the America when she
| sunk. 1t was saved and transferred to the
Nashville, which boat met her fate night
before last. Captain Hart succeeded in
rescuing it, and placed it on the Belle Yer
non, and it is now i'll the hands of Captain
| Darragh.
The freight is being rapidly removed, and
much of it will be saved. A large force of
men are at work under the personal super
| vision of Captain Darragh.