Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-08-15

THE wAwAsrT HoRRoR Another steamboat
horror has thrilled the country. On Sunday
morning last at about ! O'Clock, the steamer
Wawaset was burned at Chatterton's landing,
Prince Georges county, Va. This is a we'll
known boat that plies the Potomac, and at
the time of the disaster was on her regular trip
from Washington to Gone river, and all was
we'll until near her arrival at Chatterton land
ing When about to land for passengers
vessel, and before anything could be done to
extinguish them the entire steamer was con-
snmed, and nothing remained Of her but a
broken shaft and smoke-stack TO mark The
place where she went down, about two hun
dred yards from shore.
Upon the alarm being given a scene Of the
widest excitement ensued. The air was filled
with the piercing shrieks Of women and chill
drcn, While strong men stood aghast at the
hopclessness Of their situation. Most Of those
who were lost met their deaths by water, leap
ing into the river as the flames became unen-
durable.
The Wawaset took fire from some unknown
cause. AS soon rs she was discovered to be
on fire she was headed for the shore, and struck
on the Virginia side about two hundred yards
from the shore, the pilot remaining in the pi-
lot-box until completely enveloped by the
flames. There were many colored people on
board, and many ladies and children en- route
20 visit their friends at the different landings
on lie river. There were two boats belonging
10 the Wawaset, but in the excitement one OF
them was pitched overheard and lost, and of
the life-preservers with which the boat was
provided none seemed to have been secured in
the panic and excitement.
The scenes along the shore and on the arri-
val OF different persons at various points, who
had lost relatives, are heart-rendng. The
Star gives the following at the 18th street wharf
in Washington. Among the first TO arrive on
Sunday night was Officer Reed, of the Metro
poltan police force, who had wife, three
children, and n neice on board the Wawaset.
His agony, as he ran frantcally around trying
10 CLEAN some ray of hope that some of his
loved ones were saved, was fearful to witness
Seeing group about Mr. Mckinney, the bar
tender on the Wawasset, who was giving par
ticulars of the tragedy, he inquired, in hoarse
broken tones mckinney, for Gods sake
can you not tell me something about my fami-
ly ?" Nj. Mckinney replied, "Would to
heaven ] could give you some encouragement;
but it would be cruel to deceive you. Your
family were all lost" Mr.. Reed !hereupon
broke into wall Of despair, wringng his
hands and showing such marks Of hopeless
agony as to bring tears to every eye. 1t was
indeed n household wreck for Mr.. Reed, who,
nj one fell swoop, loses his wife, three chill
dren and neic8 The children were all under
eight years ofage, and the neice, Rettie Reed,
was beautiful aud aniable young lady,
eighteen years Of age.
Another distressing scene was presented on
the arrival of Mr.. Win. Muse Ia neighbor oil
Mr. Reeds, who had wife and two children
on the Wawasset. His distress was shown in
a somewhat quicter form, but was almost
more painful TO witness from heeconvulsive
workings of his face in his attempts to subdue
violent expressions OF grief, aud, from the 81
iSHt tchiS i"uhlhS uo"H MS 'aee, 'uu MS u
most inarticulate attempts to frame words Of
inquiry.
The origin of the fire seems to be question
Of doubt. The Captain thinks il originated in
the forward end Of the bow by sparks from
the smoke-box. The Captain was the last man
10 leave his post. About seventy persons.
mostly women children, are supposed to have
been lost.