Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-09

as long as lille lasts. The only hope of escape
was the water, and at once there was rush to
the rail and simultaneous plunge into the
river, from Which many have not yet been
taken.
Tie fire originated in the hold, for
ward Of the boiler aud must have caught
from sparks or an imperfect fue, and by
the time some of the deck hands could
give information to the Captain, who was in
the pilot house, the flames had made such pro
gross that all means of passage between the for
ward aud after part of the steamer were cut oil.
Mrs Taylor, one Of the lady passengers saved,
states that she was only able to jump over tho
railing, after clearing away the broken limbs Of
several who had been crushed by those on top
in their endcavor to get to the water. She
took her sisters little boy by the hand, and
lcapiug into the river sank, but by extra
ordinary presence of mind succeeded in saw
ing herself, aud by great cxcrtion reached the
shore, the little boy cnging to her neck.
Although the boat was within so short dis
lance of her landing, so fierce was the fire that
the boxes &C., soon yielded to the heat and
the engine stopped, the boat, however, hav-
ing sufficient Roadway to propcl her to the
shore which, when she struck she backed of
again, and the wind setting off shore she drift
I'd out into deeper water, where in not more
than ten or fifteen minutes she had burned to
the waters edge and sunk When the fire
broke out there was but one small boat
in sight, but in very few minutes there
came off from the shore all the boats
in the ncghborhood from both sides, and in
this way larger proportion Of those on board
the ill-teated steamer were rescued.
The passengers numbered about one hundred
and twenty, Of whom it is estimated that about
thirty or forty were lost, although it is hoped
and believed that several, reported lost, have
gone into the country in the neighborhood.
r. D. Beckley, Of this place, was among the
passengers, and reports that the ladies and gen
tlemeu in the saloon were in the worst position,
as those on the lower deck could get into the
boats that putout to their rescue, which, as soon
as along side would be crowded and put off for
the shore.
The captain and crew Of the boat did all i'll
their power to aid those on board but such
was the panic and so sudden the catastrophe
that but little could be DONE
The steamer was 10 command Of Capt. Jno
Wood, an experienced and an excellent officer,
whose conduct on the occasion is spoken Of in
the highest terms
The list of the passengers on the boat was
burned, but the following, as far as could be
ascertaned, is correct
Mrs Oyertou Taylor, Mrs. Laura Taylor,
Va, Miss Kate McPhearson, Belle
Price, (child)
j. B. North, J. Fl. Wise, f. Nash, r. Olive
Q. Eddie, A. Melville, B. Bartlett, G. +. DUN
mer ~ J. McGuiggan, Thos Massie, Thos
Owens, w. J. Emerson, John Reed, S. Ems-
viler, and Il. A. Coats, white.
Susan A. Parker, Mary Blackwell (slightly
burnt and sister, Eliza Mathews Lavina Bar
nard, (child, J Julia Christopher, Mary Camp
bell, Matilda Dunlap, ID. Winters, Mary Nor
man, j. Shanklin, Sarah Jackson, Nancy Bay
lor Sarah Payne, and Maria Ball.
Il. D. Bccklcy, j. Tate, w. Saunders, -
McAshton, JBrookcs, H. Street Geo. Par
kcr,S Black well, Chas. Shankland, j. Hughes,
J. Scott, Thos. Croxton, L. Scott Robt. Gas
ton, II. Taylor, W. Herring, NJ. Gordon, 4.
Hawkins }. Christopher, NJ. Walker, A.
Strowd, }. H. Wood, by, I. Rich, II. Black
well, w. Johnston, w. Brookes (slightly
burned i. Woodcy, JAS. Newman, Lindsay
Jackson, colorcd.
Miss patScy Saunders, Miss Julia Kelley,
Mrs Esther Grilia aud two children, Mrs os.
Ried and three children, (of Washington;)
Miss Bessie Ricd, Miss Cordelia Hobbs, Miss
Marbury, (oi Petersburg CIV. Cooke white
Laura \. Rich and child, Julia ShaukliD,
baby, Mary Blackwell, aud one child, 10
known, colorcd
Miss Virginia Marbury, the young lady who
boarded the steamer at Glymont, is the only
daughter of Mr. Francis y. Marbury, deceased,
formerly Of Alexandria, and was on her way to
visit Mrs. Fannie Grymcs, at Eagles Nest, iu
King George county, near Chattertou. Miss
Kate Mcpherson and her companion were
saved 10 an exhausted condition.
The pilot, John Boswell, jumped overheard
and swan ashore, to a small boat, which he
rowed out to the steamer and lent all the aid
in his power.
The depth Of the water at the bow Of the
boat was about five feet, and at the stern about
eight and it was because the flames amldship !