The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-08-11
THE ACqUIA CREEK DISASTER

| Potomac River.
| New YORK, August "a special
to the New York Times, from Wash
ingtoD, says: -
The steamship Wawasset, lost on the
Potomac yesterday, hsd on board III
passengers, with crew OF twelve men,
mostly from Washington. The best
information attainsble up to late hour
last night, shows the number of lives
lost, do not 10 exceed twenty. She wac
engaged in making regular trips on the
river between Washington and the Up
per Potomac. She left at 6 A. IL, for
the bay, passengers mostly being peo-
pie OF the humblest classes. She land
ed some passengers and cargo before
reaching Chatterton, q poin, about six
miles north OF Acquis creek. The boat
was unshipped for the purpose oil land
iug passengers, when the cry o! fire
was heard. The flames came from all
amidships near the engine. A panic
Immediately ensued passengers rush
ed for the boat, crowding it full, when
the tackling broke and boat and all
were preeipitated into the water.
BRINGING THE DEAD TO WASHINGTON.
The following is the latest regarding
the loss OF lhe Wawasset:
At 4:25 this morning the steamer Ma"
tional gradually approached the Sew
enth street wharf. On the forward deck
was some white sheets extending from
eide to side, beneath which lay the
dead. After the steamer made fast
large number OF persons assembled at
the landing to view the dead. Among
those present was officer Reed OF the
First precinct station, who quickly dis
covered one OF his children that had
left home the morning before in good
health. Ofthe ten bodies the steamer
brought there were five adult females,
four colored children and one white
child. Their features were discolored
from bruises and their dresses torn and
feet shoeless. A sadder sight it would
be difficult 10 imagine or describe.
THE Mates STATEMENT.
The following Is the statement OF the
mate:
1t was II o'clock and they were pre-
pairing to make lsndingat Chatterton,
when the fire broke out. He was no
tilted while standing at the engine room
door. He called engineer Nash to hls
assistance and the hands were immedi-
ately ordered to put on the hose, but
before they could get them screwed up
smoke rushed out OF the fire room IN
such volumes as to force the men away
They rushed for the draw buckets
which were used until the wheel ropes
gave way. The pilot stood manfuliy at
his post until the flames burnt his
hands and drove him from his position
The passengers began jumping over"
board and boxes, barrels and planks
were thrown to their assistance. Seve-
raj small boats came from the shore to
their relief.
AsAD SIGHT.
John II. Wise, passenger, states
that everything worked nicely until
ll:30A.r When the fire broke out
it was not more than fifteen minutes
from the discovery of the fire until the
steamer burned to the water's-eage.
There were one hundred sixty passen-
gers. He believes that sixty lives were
lost. He saw two children sitting on
the rail devoured By the flames, but
was powerless to save them. There
were plenty OF life preservers, but the
flames spread so rapidly that the pas
sengers were unable to take hold OF
them. An inquest was held to-day
near the scene of calamity and ver-
dict rendered that deceased met their
deaths by accidental disaster. The ju-
~ entirely exonerated Captain Woods
and gave him certificate to that effect.
Boats were dispatched this morning to
the scene OF the dissseer with applian"
ces for dragging the river for the re-
covery of the lost bodies.
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
The fire broke out % minutes past
10 o'clock, between Gut and Chatterton.
l was in the pilot house at the time.
The fireman told me that the boat was
on fire below. I Immediately came out
aud found the flames had reached the
hurricane deck. became satisfied
there was no hopes OF saving the ves-
sci. The cargo was miscellaneous and
contained nothing lnhammable. was
satisfied that nearly sll the lives loat
were lost in the stern Of the boat. The
flames spread in that direction. The
excitement caused much undue loss OF
life. FIVE or six children were lost.
| think the fire caught in the hold, but
it is impossible yet to tell where.
The engines refused to work about
halt minute before she struck shore
and the boat run about length before
she came to dead stop and grounded
in less than five feet OF water from her
bow. l rem aimed on the hurricane
deck until the flames had burned the
window curtains in my room and the
aaloou windows below were shooting
out fiery darts. / then came down on
the forward deck and did what could |
to save the passengers. A crest many
were afraid to jump overheard, but
assured them they were safe in jumping
as the water from the bow was not over
their heads, aud upon this assurance
one or two made a leap. Many others
seeing that the water was shallow fol-
lowed their example and were saved.
1t was with difficulty thst l checked
them from jumping over in large bodies
and drowning each other. During the
excitement l an sure that nearly all the
lives lost were lost in the stern OF the
boat, the flames drawing that way and
forcing passengers to jump or be burn
ed. Just before lett the boat heard
q lady named Miss Taylor, Of Alexsn-
dria, crying for help from the rear OF