Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-08-14

~. aug. TIT
steamer WAwassei, running on the Poto-
mac river between w ashington aud Curl
man. took fire about II o'clock to-day at
Chatalon landing and was destroyed. She
had about $50 passengers on board. and
between 10 and 80 lives were lost. Six
bodies had been found up 10 , O'Clock.
three white ladies, one child and two color
ed children. Miss Virginia Wa>hburue OF
Glymout, Miss BERTHE Saunders and child
from Curriman are among the dead, The
others have not been recognized. Geo.
W. Cook of Warrenton. Va. is among the
missing. Captain Wood did not leave the
steamer until forced to do So by the flames
The fire was first discovered in the en- ine
room.
The reporter OF the Associated Press had
an interview with Doc" kenney, the bar
keeper Of the Wawasset. who I, the only
one OF the passengers or crew Of that YES
sci that reached Washington tonight. lie
came up la this city on the steamer EN-
press, with an excursion party from Pncy
Point. The latter vessel sighted the wreck
about Q O'Clock this afternoon aud picked
up Kenney. who had been sent out in a
small boat to come up to- Washington.
The passengers and crew OF the Wawa-sct
were at that time all cared for At Steward :
wharf. near the scene OF the disaster. Ken
ney states that the wawas>et lett here at
O'Clock this morning. On her regular
weesly trip to Cone River, with III regis
tered passengers and quite large cargo
OF freight for river landings. just before
reaching Chatterton's landing on the VIZ
ginia side of the Potomac. about five miles
below AcQuia Greek. and AFTER the wills
tie Of the boat had been blown as a signal
Of her approach TO that landing. the steam
er at the time being about a third ol mile
from the shore. fire was discovered in the
hold and the hose was attached Immediate
ly, but before the men could reach 1t the
conflagration became general.
The fire had been smouldering. 1t is sup
posed for some hours. and upoL opeuin.
the matches il burst forth with great fury,
driving the men from the hold. aud com
pletely battling all attempts To .ubduc 1t.
In an instant the widest confusion pre-
vailed OIL the vessel, the Passengers be-
coming panic striker aud frantic with fear,
very few having the presence of mind suf-
ncicnt TO take care OF themselves.
The steamer was without a seconds de-
Law headed for the shore. on the Virginia
side, aud In a few minutes ran aground
abou, 30 yards from the Virginia shore
At this time the flames had spread with
fearful rapidly. and in the excitement
many jumped into the water. Several
Jumped overheard before the steamer
struck bottom. She was provided with
but two small boats and In the frenzy Of
the moment one OF these boats was thrown
overheard and lost. Capt. Wood. OF I'll,
| i'll fated steamer. and his assistants AT,
said TO have used every effort To control
the passengers but without avail. Tn,
vessel was we'll provided with life preserv.
the passengers secured them, and this iAct
also added to the lamentable loss OF life
Over 40 passengers were drowned. Up Il
the time the Express, in which the nara
| tor OF this statement arrived. lcft the seen,
ofthe wreck but five or six bodies hat
been recovered, and the confusion was ~
| great that a further list of names of IN,
| lost could not be ascertained.
| kenney states that Captain Wood wa
| the last man 10 leave the steamer and til,
| pilot, Mr.. Roweli, was surrounded b,
flames before he left the pilot-box, which
was not until after he had run the steamer
! aground. The flames spread with ,uct
| rapidity that the tiller ropes were on hr,
! before the vessel struck the ground
| All those los were. u j supposed
| drowned, having jumped overheard To e.
cape the flames The fire was first discov
| cred about twenty minutes before clever
| O'Clock, and keunev states that la ir>
! than ten minutes the vessel was enyclopcD
| la flames and now lies where She was rul
aground, burned To the waters edge
Chatterton's point is just opposite t,
Maryland point, and the SURVIVORS OF ia,
disaster have been made as comfortable a
possible At Stewards, and near that place
where they will remain till about . O'Clock
this Saturday morning at which time III,
steamer Georgian will take them on board
expecting to reach this city about . O'Clock
| Z. NJ.
About one-half the passengers on III,
| Wawasset We're women and children
many OF whom We're on route 10 countr,
places along the Portomac, To spend
short time pleasuring with their friends
| There WAS quite a number of cOloret
people among the passengers. The Wa
wasset is q side wheel steamer OF abou
| $50 tons and was engaged in running be
tween " Washington and landings along III
Porromae. She vas inquired for $3.50. 900
When she ieft here this morning it wa
it WAS supposed that she was In perfec
order. and the origin OF the fire is At pres
! eht unknown.