The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-10

Sci WaS Wrapt IN nre. Inc Captan, 10 WnOm all
would naturally turn for counsel, was pewildered.
The thought OF the helpless passengers at one end
the impossibty OF lowering the boats, the desper-
ate situation-al were understood in an Instant
The tiller rope was wet with buckets Of water, and
the boat, under full head OF steam,
srEERED FOR SHORE.
BY this time the fire was master Of the vessel.
Still the vessel moved on, until there was heard
crash aud thump, indicating that the machinery
had broken down and the only progress shore
ward would come from the momentum already
gained At the sound of the breaking OF the en-
CINE the men at the bow began throwing over
peach crates, furniture boxes, barrels, boards-in
word, everything that would noat-and plungng,
pell nell, into the shallow water for at the bow 1t
was not more than six feet deep. Those who did
not lose presence OF mind soon found themselves
in water sufficiently low to wade, and the beach
was easily reached.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN LEApNa INTO DEEP WATER,
While the male portion OF the passengers were
escaping DEATH the women and children at the
other end were forced to leap into deep water or
be burned to death. What fearful spectacle was
presentedP Within q hundred yards was land.
No angry wave or wilful wind had driven them
to this fate. The broad expanse OF the Potomac
was as smooth as mirror. The screams OF the
Children the wall of the mother as she saw death
inevitable, wrung the hearts Of those who were
helpless to save, and saw the little ones perish,
the waters closing over them seemingly without
ripple. Those who have survived were
more panic stricken after the danger to
them had passed than during the terrible
scene. The total destruction Of the vessel was In
evtaDle. The Captain and officers remained on
board till the last and only when driven by the
flames did they abandon the boat. Passengers,
too, who had GOODNESS on their side, continued to
throw into the water everything they could lay
their hands on that would float.
THE LIFEBoAT DISABLED.
The lifeboat which was In the Stem Of the Wa
waset, as Soon as the flre gained Roadway, was
crowded by excited men, women and children. It
was impossible for the officers OF the vessel to
reach it. and lower the same to the waters edge.
1t finally broke under the weight Of those in it,
and bulged In the stern and was swamped. Nearly
all who had taken refuge in her were lost.
THE SECOND BOAT OF LITTLE USE.
There was a second boat almost as large as the
lifeboat, which was thrown overheard by the pas
sengers, while the steamer was under Roadway,
and only few were able to reach it. Some OF the
passengers jumped from the steamer into it, while
others who were in the water were drawn In by
those already within it, In an attempt to jump
into it one passenger was struck by the wheel and
sustained slight injuries.
ONLY TWO LIFE PREsERvERs USED.
The excitement which existed can be judged
from the fact that the boat had nearly
five hundred life preservers on board, and
only two were used, one placed py Mr..
Emerson upon small child-his daugh-
ter-and one which he used himself.
They were both saved. Mr.. Emerson felt 80
grateful for his preservation by its means that ne
took 1t with him to Alexandria, and said to several
friends who congratulated him upon his lucky es-
cape that he would keep it as long as he lived.
The preservers were distributed about the boat, in
the staterooms and cabins and large number
stored in convenient place IN the gangway. But
what are life preservers to inexperienced women
and children, with strong smoke and fiery tongues
OF fame threatening death by sufIocationS There
were no co0l-headed men to which they could look
for advice, and panic stricken as they were though
every lie preserver had been within grasp, it Is
doubtful whether they would have been used.
HOW MANY WERE BURNED TO DEATHp
Those who succeeded in reaching the shore saw
the final destruction Of the boat, and knows
how many either overcome by fright or stined by
the smoke perished in the flames. The vessel was
total loss. She was insured for $685. 600, distrib-
uted as follows:-
Insurance Company Of North America, Philadel-
phia, $4,000.
Phoenix, of Hartford, $4,000.
Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Of
Richmond, s., 500
Etna, Of Hartford, $4,000.
Atlantic, Of New YORK; $4,000.
Potomac, OF Georgetown, $1,000
THE LIST OF THE OFFICERS
Of the boat Is as follows John r. Wood Captain;
Robert Nash. Engineer; J. w. Wheeler, Clerk
Robert Gravett, Mate; John W. Boswell, Pilot, and
Samuel Nash, Second Engineer. There were also
cook and the chambermaid. One OF the deck
hands and the chambermaid Of the number men,
toned were lost. The passenger list as well as
the manifest of the vessel was destroyed, the cerk
being unable to save it on account OF the fierce
ness Of the flames when he reached his ofice.
After the unfortunate parties had landed Captain
Wood took the names OF all the saved and fur
nished your correspondent with the following
list
WHITE WOMEN SAVED.
Mrs. Ogleton Taylor Alexandria.
Laura Taylor and sister.
Miss Kate N Mcpherson, Charles county, Va
Miss Price-child.
WHITE MALE PASSENGERS SAVED.
]. B. North.
J. H. Wise.
Edwin Nash.
Robert Olive.
o. Eddy.
A. Melvin.
b. BARTLETT
Spencer N. Bennerman.
A. J. McGuiggan.
Thomas Massey.
Thomas owen.
John Reid.
Simon Emeseville.
r. A. Coates.
CoLoRED wox7N SAVED.
Susan A. Parker.
Mary Blackwell.
Eliza Matthews.
Lavinia Burnham and child.
Julia Christopher.
Mary CougshelL
Matilda Dunlap.
Dafrey winters.
Mary Norman.
Julia Shonkland.