Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-12
STEAMBOAT DISASTER.
Explosion and Burning Of the
Oceanus, Thirty Miles
Above Cairo.
EIGHTY LIVES SUPPOSED LOST.
Partial List Of Killed and Wounded.

CAIRO, April 1.-THE steamer Gee
anus, from Red river to st. Louis, when
near Brooks Point, thirty miles above
Cairo, at four o'clock yesterday morn
ing, exploded her boilers, blowing her
works almost entirely away, Immediately
after which the wreck took FIRE, burning
to the waters edge.
Pilot John d. Harris, Of the Inflated
Geeanus, has arrived here. &c says he
had Just come off the watch, and was
undressed to retire. Rushing into the
pilot-house, he founa his partner, Harry
Trip, wedged in the wreck, He tried
for some time to extrieate him,
when flames wrapped them in. Harry
begged Harris to leave him, as it
was useless for both to die. Finding
that be could not save him, Harris
left him to his fate, and saved himself
by clinging to q stage plank and swim
ming to shore. The bank was steep,
and he found several trying to climb it.
All were utterly exhausted from the
cold water, and neatly all drowned.
Harris helped Geo. Virgins on shore,
but was so much exhausted that he fell
back in the water and was drowned.
Virgins was Red river pilot, and re-
sides at New Orleans. He was married
three weeks ago. Harris was picked mp
by the John Lumsden and placed on the
steamer Belle St. Louis. The Shreve
passed down after daylight, and being
hailed at Watson S, she first heard of
the accident. Here she found Mr..
Fisher, who had swan nine miles on a
pine board unhurt, save a lame hand
and some bruises. Fishers family re-
sides in Pittsburg.
,Gere she also found the body Of Chas
Worsham, second clerk; Jules Dewolf,
steward; Charles Murray and a cabin
BOY. All had life preseryers on, and
we're badly burned and scalded. Their
remains we're brought here, and an in
quest will be held to-day.
One lady lost was tightrope per
former, going to join Robinson's circus.
On deck were two cages of lions for
Robinson's circus, which we're lost Mr..
Fisher says their cries and roars of pain
while burning we're the most frightful he
ever listened TO.
The 0eeanus passed here at one am,
and was hurry:ng to keep out of the
way of the Marble City. Only two per
sons who were saved could give any 40
count Of the disaster-the pilot and car
penter. They saw no one who was not
scalded, bruised or burned, The carpen-
ter roomed with the pilot, George Wig
gins; in the next room was Captain
Henry Worsham. Both rooms we're
wrecked. When the carpenter left the
boat he heard Captain Worsham calling
for help from under the heap Of ruins,
which were developed in flames
The Grand Tower met the Belle ST.
Louis at Cape Girardeau. She had thirty
six persons saved from the Oceans, six
of whom died on board. The SECOND
engineer died, The first engineer and
mate are alive, and not seriously hurt.
John Meeksr Charles Jellisdoz and
John Martin are the names OF the per-
sons saved from the wheel Of the Gee
anus. rgn
LATER.
ST. LOUIS, April y, 2p.m.-The fol-
lowing is the statement of an eye-wit-
ness who resides at Bloomington, Ill.
he was brought up by the Belle St.
Louis this morning / vas in my
state-room at the time Of the accident,
as were most Of the passengers. The
FIRST notification / had Of the disaster
was kissing sound then an explosion
followed which sounded ike full report
/ of mark artillerv- then my berth tba