Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-12
THE WAWASET DISASTER.
Bodies Recovered-Eerdict of the Cor
Oner'S Jury-Statement OF MISS MIC
phersOm-InveSiigat &c, nc.
TIE GRIFFIN CHILDREN.

TIE GRIFFIN CHILDREN.
Last night the tug boat Mary Lewis arrived
from the scene OF the late terrible disaster on the
Potomac with the remains of several more OF
the victims, among them the bodies OF the two
little children of Mrs. Critic, who was also
drowned at the same time. They had been re-
covered the day before and buried on the shore
but were disinterred and brought here for re-
intcrment beside their mother. whose remains
were buried on Sunday in the Methodist Pro
teStant Cemetery.
MISS MARBURY 5 REMAINS.
The remains of Miss Virginia Marbury. as
will be seen by the following note, received by
us last night, were recovered on Sunday alter
noon and Inferred at the burial place OF her
aunts family, on the estate of Eagles Nest, III
King George, short distance FROM the scene
of the accident The young lady left Glymont
to make happy visit TO "Eagle's Nest. . She
found grave there:
EAGLES NEST KING GEORGE Co., VA,
Aug. |, lS73-Thc body OF Miss Virginia b.
Marbury, one Of the lamencd and unfortunate
ladies who lost their lives by the burning of the
steamer Wawasct, on the Sth inst, was found
floating in the river off Boyd's Hole at late
hour Yesterday evening. 1t was Identified by
the description of the appearance and dress OF
the deceased given by Miss Mcpherson, one
of the saved, who was with her at the time OF
the disaster. The remains were buried this
morning BY sorrOWirg relatives and friends at
Eagles Nest.
VERDICT OF THE CORONER : JURY.
Shortly after the disaster Justice w. B. *.
Price, Of Kings county, arrived at Chatter
tons, summoned Il jury, who, after hearing
ing the facts detailed, rendered the following
verdict:
eve, the jury Of irqucst. called to view the
dead bodies lost on the steamer Wawaset this
day, and to inquire into the cause of the dlsas-
ter to the said steamer find that, not knowing
the condition Of the steamer, we can not say as
to the cause, but, from the examination, we
cyonerate the officers Of said boat from all
blame, as all the passengers saved testify they
did their duty.
Given under our hands at Stuart's wharf,
King George county, Virginia, this Sth day Of
August 1873
II. {. titzhugh, J. f. Conner, W. II. Fitz
hugh. Benjamin B. Arnold, Joseph \. Wilker-
sou, Philip II. Pcmberton, L. l.. Ashton,
Thos. Mcrrilnan, Albert Grymes, \. J. Penn
ber,on, H. S. Ftzhugh, William Page.
\ true copy.
Test: WM B. X. PRICE, }. p,
Acting Coroner, King George county, Va.
CORONER $ CERTIFICATE.
This is to certify that a coroner's jury has
been held over the dead bodies of ) adults, )
children unknown victims OF the steamboat
WawaSet disaster.
Given under my hand, this Stb day Of AM
gust, 1873.
VIM B. X. PRICE, J. p,
Acting Coroner King George county, Va.
MISS MCpuERsON's STATEMENT.
The following is the reported statement Of
Miss Kate Mcpherson, the companion OF Miss
Alarbury
She went aboard the Wawasct with Miss
Marbury at GIymont aud kept with her dur
ing the first part OF the excitement, until the
smoke drove them down the gangway; that
she missed her on the main deck, and the rush
of colored people was SO great towards the life
boat that she could net turn TO find her that
she was hustled overheard after the hteboat
was stove 10, with many others, by the rush OF
the colorcd people toward the gangway that
she immediately sunk and rose twice, and knew
nothing more until she found herself III boat
and being carried ashore. She was taken to
the residence of Mrs. Grymcs when it was
found she was uniuiurcd, with the exception OF
slight burn on one shoulder She described
the scene on the burning boat as most terrible
to witness.
The flames burst out all around and swept
aft. driving the women and children over into
the water. She saw four little children hang
ing by their hands on the waist Of the steamer,
and one after the other drop into the water the
flames driving them off, The colored people
were perfectly wild, and DO remonstrance on
the part Of the officers was needed; they Jump.
ed into the boat, pillug it tuil, and declared
that it was the cvlorcd peoples boat refusing
all whites admission when it went down all
were dumped iuto the water together, aud
many others followed, being pushed overheard.
The flames burst into the main deck, setting
fire TO the clothing of the women and children,
who we're hoping for some relief that no one
could pass the gangway Tor the flames, and that
the screams Of the women and children were
deatcung, -.
During the recital of her experience Miss
Mcpherson could not refrain from bursting out
into sobs, especially when alluslon was made to
Miss Marbury, who was a near and dear friend.
Her anxiety seemed to be great about ner PEG
pie, who live in Charles county. and her uncle,
IlcuTS nldl Cs'l, VI Nii'i'AAS5
of the distress of mind they must be in on ac-
count of her absence since the disaster.
Miss Mcpherson is very intelligent, and
could picture very wildly the distressing scenes
she witnessed on board the steamer She was
pulled up out Of the water some ten yards from
the boat, Just as she was sinking the last time,
by Mr.. Robert Adams, and taken ashore in an
inscnsibe condition, and she feels that her es-
cape was almost miraculous.
INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, Aug. disappearing H.
spcctor u Mcushaw, chief Of the third district
for the inspection OF steam vessels, arrived 10
this city this morning, and spent some time at
the Supervising Inspector General Soit1ce IN re-
lation to the investigation Of the burning Of
the steamer Wawaset IL was decided that as
the Baltimore local board made the inspection
of the vessel some other board should conduct
the investigation.
1t was therefore recommended to the Secre,,
Il Nnrb IL 16nI