, 1873-08-13
THE WAWASET HORROR.
Fifty Persons Burned to Death or
Drowned.
The Terrible Story Of the
Disaster.
Scenes ut tho Point of Tie Tragedy, and
III Washington on tic Arrival
OF the Bodies.

From The Tashfngton Star, Auoo.
Last night about l'alf-past II o'clock great OK
element was produced by the report TINT tho
well-known Potomac steamer Wawasot had
beon burnod down tho rlyor, and that most of
tho passengers on hoard had pcriBhol.
At about midnight sovoral Of tho surviving
passengers Of tho unfortunate Wnwasot arrived
III this city on tho 6tcamor Express, aud from
tlioni 1t was learned TINT sho loft Washington
on her regular trip to Cono River, and that all
was woll until near her arrival at Chatterton
Landing. When about to land for passengers
fla1nos were BOON issuing from the hold Of tho
vessel, and before anything could 10 done to
cStnguish ttom tho eutiro steamer was con-
s'1mod, md nothing remained Of hcr but
broken shaft aud smoko-atack to mark the place
whore she went down, about 200 yarda from
shore.
The number OF passengers rog'Htered on board
iB estimated whom sho loft Washington at 10,
and abe took On otlaors Mt variouB landings on
tho Potomac Tho crew numbered twolvo. Out
Of thiH number probably fifty passengers md
two members of tno crow perished by water and
fro.
Tho survivors report tho scene as hoart-rena-
ing In tho extreme during tho burning Of tho
vensol. Tho alr was fllod with tho piorcing
slreks Of women and children. while strong
1uen stood nghast ut tho horelesBnoss OF their
situation. Most Of those WHO wore lost mot
their deaths by water, leapfng into Tho river AZ
tile flames became uncomfortable. Capt. John
Wood, tho commander Of the Wawaset behaved
with commendab1o coolness throughout, aud
was the last to 1cayo tho burning Btoamor.
Tho Wnwasot took fire from Honlo unknown
ca,lso. As soon az Bho WAS discovered to DO OH
fro, shc WAS headed for the shore, and struck Oil
the Virginia side about 200 yards from tho ahore,
tho pilot remaining in tho pilos-box until COM
plotoly onye1oped by tho flames. There wore
many colored persons on board, and maty ladies'
and children who Wero Oil route to visit thoir
friondH at tho dfforont landings on tho river.
Thoro woro two boats belonging to tho Wawaset,
but III tho excitement ono Of them wns pitched
overboard and lost, and of tho lfopreaersorB with
which the boat was provided mono seemed to
Tho burning steamer was discovered at h
little after II o'clock, yesterday morning by tho
steamer Express, Capt. Jamos r. Darkor, who
waA returning from Point Lookout to WGBll-
ington with pnrty Of excursionsts, composed
OF tho "a Painters Union aud their irionsie. A
abort timo after. tho stoamor National, Which
hnd gouo to tho relief Of the fntal ycsHol, camu
Nlongulo with tho rescued passengers from the
hAWABDt.
Tho Wawnset WIS built at Wilmington in
1858, bought by tho Potomac Ferry Company i'll
1864. mud was brought to these wAterg md over
n:,ico has boon making regular trips to Conc
River; She was insured IN several companies
for s25 UUU. Sho wau considered tho finest OK
cursion boat over placed upon the potouac.
sonnowFuL burden.
About $3.50 o'clock this morning the storm
wheel boa. NATIONAL" Capt Gregg, brought
UP ton bodies, five women md five children
latter litt]o non Of Joseph Rood, policeman
Mrs. Muse, whoao husband lives OIL tile corner
OF Seventh and G s:rcots Hotthwost; Mrs. Julia
Kelly, NIL nunt of policeman Reeds, who lad been
visiting his fan!iiy and was or her return
wllito women and tho four colorod in
fants were not recognized. Gu arriving
at tho wharf tho crowd rualed around tho boat,
but were kopt back, wllile soulo wharf f-liandB
brought thom to tllo, landing, aud their bodioa
woro ranged sido BY sdo III tic warel!onse Of tho
e,nl Home OF the women presented calm aud
NATURAL appearance, hut in others there wero
signs Of pain. Most Of all we1o nomowhat
resembling bruises. Tie bodies were laid Oh
gone plu,lks IN the warehouse, and the police
guarded the door.
These bodies wore picked up at ChatLerton
half miloB below, and the Nattonal took thom
aboard Mt that wharf. These wero all TINT Ind
boon recovered al $3.50 lust night, the timo the
National left. Capt. necd,. from Police hoad-
quarters, arrived at the wharf about q o'clock
and ut onco recognized tho little son Of Joseph
Heed, Ills nnpllew !; also, lis aunt, Mrs. Kelly.
About 6:30 o'clock Alr. Cobaugh aud bis wife
sumo to The wharf, and recognized ono Of tho
wife and hor niece, their names Alrs. Cora
Walker and Miss Indiana Willis whoAo family
reside ut tho corner Of Eighth and streets.
Tho Eoba and lamentations Of Airs. Cobaugh
t., f~..1 r.
,yes persuaded By ller husband to be led away.
About this time Heyeral ladies from South Wasll-
f;sston came i'll antl recognized the body which
Nr.. Cobaugh Lad Just before thought to 10
that Of her sister as that Of Mrs. Putty Sands,
OF WcAtmoroland County, Va, who had boon
whiting friends in this city.
scESEa AT THE WHARF. -
Tho aco1es at tho Seventh street wharf Inst
night, Ms different porsonB arrived WHO Aad lost
relatives md frionlH, were truly distressing.
Among tho first to arrive was Officer Reed, of
!tho Metropolitan Police force, who Ind wife.
tl,reo Children, and nieco on loard tho Wawa-
set. His agony, rs ho run frantica!y around try
ing to gloan some ray Of hope that somo Of his
Seeing group about Ar. Mcllonny tho bar
tender OIL the WawaBot, who WAS giving particll-
lnFn Of tho tragedy, llo inquired, III Loarso.
Alr. McKcnty replied feelingiy, "Woull to
Heaven could givo yotl Hon.o encouragement !;
but it would le cruel to deceivo YOU. Your fuln-
ily wore all lost" Mr. Heed thoreupon broke
iuto II wail OF despair, wringing his hands
and showing Bucl marks Of hopeesn agony aa
to bring toars to eyory eye. II waa irdcou d
hu'lAelluld wreck for 3lr: Reed, who ut one fell
swoop losoa Ills vito, ti,roo children, and niece.
tho niece, Betty lscetl was beautiful and amia-
hlo young Indy, about IL ycara Of age.
Al4uther distressing Ecene, following upon Mr.
1teodH terrible display q agony, wan presented