South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-08-15
Terrible Steamer Disaster on
the Potomac.

Inc SlaII'og ahuOuncemeub Is MAUI VI
the burning of the steamer Wawasset on
the Potomac river, near Aqua Creek yes
terday, involving The loss OF between forty
aud Fifty lives. Il catastoLae SO u0u5ual In
Southern waters Is well calculated to ex-
cite surprise and horror, aud demands, as
it will DO doubt receive, prompt and full
investigation. The fire i, appears broke
out in the hold while the steamer vas in
tho stream, and upon its discovery the ves-
sci was run aground some distance from
the Virginia shore. But two small boats
we're on board, according to the statement
given, aud one Of these was lost 10 the pan
ic which took place, though, but for the
panic, it is added, all might have been
saved by the use of life. rreservers, of which
there were plenty. Over one hundred
passengers were on board, Including men,
women end children, aud the disaster, as
described, is truly terrible one. -BaHi-
more Sun, Aag. 9.
According to the latest particulars re-
ceived, it seems that the steamer was not
beached in shoal water before the fire had
full possession, but though steam was put
upon her when the fire was discovered, the
engine suddenly stopped working through
the sudden giving away of part of the
machinery in consequence of the fire, when
the boat was in eight fee; of water, though
she touched the shore in four or five feet Of
water at the bow Many in the panic jump
ed over board into the deep water and were
drowned. Another cause given for the
great less of life among women and chill
dren especially, was that they were hud-
toward them they were there exposed to
the full force of the flames, aud the fire
spread so rapidly in the middle of the
steamer that communication forward was
cut off. There were some five hundred life
prescrvers on board, but though there were
rot more than $50 passengers, these ap-
planes were in the gangways on the main
deck chiefly, and could not be reached.
WASHINGTON, Aug. l0.-The steamer
| Vanderbilt arrived here tonight from the
scene of the Wawaset disaster, with six
more bodies of the victims who persisted on
the il-fated vessel I, is said to- night that
the total number Of bodies so Ear reasTered
is fifty Elk. though NO @s
been ldtnuhcd.
Arolhog cara went dowa tA,s evening,
aud IS expected tomorrow with more bo-
dies. Many Of those recovered to-day had
been partially eaten BY crabs and we're bad
ly dis6gdred. The latest estimate Of the
number Of lost on the Wawaset is that it
will reach seventy at least. Many of these
viii in all probability not be identified,
particularly in toe clses Of the coorel per-
sons who fell victims to the disaster.
The recent losses by the depression in
the tea trade at New York arc estimated as
high as S6,OO0,OOO The failure of four
or five heavy firms is Included in the loss.
The firms mentioned either haze made or
are making settlements with creditors -
The depression is believed to have been
caused by sudden large importations and
too many people going into the business of
importing.
THE CHoLERA.-A telegram to the Rich
moud (Va.) Dispatch from Jone-borough,
Tennessee, says thirty deaths have occurred
there from cholera in the two weeks ending
August 9th, including REV. G. c. THRASH
Err, formerly of BIchauan, Va and Col
oNEbG. T.. GRESHAM, editor of tho FHag
and Adcertiser, and formerly Of Virgnia.
About twenty more cases are generally do
ing well The population has been reduc.
ed by the panic from twelve hundred to a.
bout seventy, including the sick and their
nurses, pretty ne orly every body having
run away.
"A fight took place on the 9Th inst. 10 SCOTT
county, Va, between a small force Of Unit
cd States revenue men under Col Gro r.
EGBERr, Uoitod States deputy marshal aud
a gang Of illicit dislillers, in which a man
named WILCOX, an assistant Of the marshal
was killed by JONI A. VANGARD, who bad
previously suusnlsrgl, but vas rescued by
bis ffisuis. The marshal had but three
meo, aud was opposed by gang of eight.
"A case has recently been concluded in
Indiana 10 such manner az TO Indicate
that when a railroad company sells o ticket
It is done w. misunderstanding that The
passenger viii b5 furai.l 4 with q seat. 4
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