The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-10
Narrowing Scenes Around the
Sinking Craft.
EXCITEMENT I'M WASHINGTON.
Names OF the Rescued
Passengers.
The Dead Already Arriving at the
Capital.

WASHINGTON August ., 1873.
At . late hour last night despatch was received
IN this city from Fredericksburg, Virginia, briefly
announcing the total loss by burning of the passen
ger steamer wawaset, and the probable loss Of fifty
lives. The information was known to but few. and
the lsteness Of the hour prevented further commu-
nication with the scene OF the disaster by boat
was 1t possible to reopen the telegraph once from
which the news was received. The Wawaset was
10 feet long, % feet wide feet depth Of hold and
was 32S e01O0 tons, Custom House measurement.
She was fitted up to suit both freight and passen-
gers. She was built in 1868, at Whining
ton, Delaware for the purpose Of running fruit
from Duck Creek and Smyrna to Philadelphia, but
was chartered by the government and brought to
this river to be used transp port for troops. The
Potomac Ferry Company purchased her from the
government, and she had been used on the line
between this city and Cone River for freight and
passengers. Last Spring she was completely over
hanled on the ways at Baltimore, saloon cabin
put on her upper deck aft, newly furnished and
newly upholstered and painted throughout, max
ing her one OF the most convenient as well as
staunch boats on the river.
THE STEAMERS LAST TRIP.
She left here yesterday morning, under charge
OF Captain John r. Woods from her wharf
ut the loot of Seventh street, having on board
large quantity Of freight and III registered pas
U
being under ten years, were not counted as
paying passengers. The trip from washington to
Alexandra was made in less than half an hour.
At this point several adult passengers were taken
on, and the boat steamed down the river, intend
Ing to visit all her usual stopping places The day
was sutry, but good breeze made the sailing
agreeable.
CoLoRED WOMEN GOING TO CAMP MEETING.
Among the female passengers were number of
cOl0red women who were en- route for Cur
riman, In Westmoreland county, where o camp
meeting was being held. With the religious fervor
20 peculiar to the African race, many hymns were
sung, and the best oil feeling prevailed among both
whites and blacks The little children played
together, prattled and watched the blowy waters
rs the boat steamed on. Hany Of the number on
board had seriously thought ofthe uncertainty ofle
On steamboats, all fear would naturally have been
banished BY the thought that such thing as a
steamboat disaster on the Potomac was never
known. Only few weeks ago this same boat was
chartered for the Poor Chldrens Excursion, and
was freighted with thousand souls. She was
well equipped-0r said to be-and in accordance
with the requirements oflaw had an abundant life
saving apparatus. Her officers were experienced
men, and, so lar as human prudence could suggest,
there was naught the wawaset lacked to give
security to life and property.
1T WAS TOWARD NOON
when the Wawaset turned her bow
for Chatterton's landing, on the vlr-
ginia shore of the Potomac a place
In Prince George county. There being no wharf at
the place, passengers are landed in small boat
the steamer Stacking speed until the parties are
safely on board. At this point the Potomac Is very
wide, and as the vessel changed her course amid
stream for land, quite party OF white ladies and
children were occupied in preparations for leaving
the steamer and awaiting the transfer to the
smaller boat The passengers were divided between
fore and aft; the decks of the steamer were not
very high and the male passengers found it more
comfortable to remain about the bow, while the
stern cabins were almost exclusively occupied by
the women and childen. At this time,
Mr. H. d. Beckley, a special agent OF
the Post ONCE Department, was in the barroom
getting drink OF water, wnen the engineer came,
ana some conversation passed between Them Mr.
Seckley was nearest the door, and looking in the
direction OF the engineers room said he believed
he saw smoke. The kitchen being on the other
size OF the gangway, no notice was first taken Of
the remark. When the SMOKE became stronger
with the unmistakable smell OF burning wood aa
though confined and impatient for a vent Mr.
Beckley quickly said,
"y0UR VESSEL rs ON FIREu
The engineer rushed to his station only TO and
the words just spoken too true One OF the deck
hands passing at the time rave the alarm. It was
communicated to the Captain, who was In the
wheel house, and the order to put on the water
was promptly given. The hose was attached, but
who could reach the donkey engine, which alone
could work the pumps Dense volumes OF black
smoke poured upward through the walking beam
amidship, penetrating the ladies' cabin and form.
ing an impossible gulf between the stern and stem.
Flame succeeded smoke, until the centre OF the ves-