New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-09
A STEAMBOAT DISASTER.
THE WAwAssET BURNED ON THE
POTOMAC.

FREpERIcKsBURG, Aug S.-The steamer Wawss
sett running on the Potomac River between WASH
ington and Curriman took fire about II o'clock to-
day at Chatalon landing, and was destroyed. ohe
had about $50 passengers on board, and between ~
and 30 lives are lost Six bodies were found up TO
o'clock; three white ladies, one lid. and two COL
ored children. Miss Virginia Warburg OF Glymont,
Miss Bette Saunders, and child from Curriman
are among the dead. The others have not been re-
coguized George W. Cook of Warsaw. Va. is miss
ing Capt. Wood did not leave the boat until forced
to do so by the flames. The fire was first discovered
in the engine room.
LArER-The reporter of the Associated Press, at
midnight, had an interview with Doc Kenney
the barkeeper Of the Wawasset, who is the only ono
of the passengers or crew of that vessel that
reached Washington tonight. He came up to
this city on the steamer Express, with an ex-
cursion party from Piney Point. The latter vessel
sighted the wreck about o'clock this afternoon.
and picked up Kenney who had been sent ont in a
small boat to come up to Washington The passen-
gers and Of the Wawasset at that time all
cared for at Stewards wharf near the scene Of tho
disaster.
Kenny states that the Wawasset left here at 6
o'clock this morning on her regular weekly trip to
Cone River with 1T registered passengers and
| quito a large cargo of freight for liver
| landings Just before reaching Chatterton's
Landing on the Virginia side of the Potomac,
about five miles below Acquia Creek, and after the
whistle of the boat had been blown as a signal OF
her approach to that landing, the steamer at the
time being about third of a mile from the shore,
FIRE was discovered in the hold, and the
hose was attached Immediately but before
the men could reach it the coniagrsuon
became general, as the fire had been burning
for some time. The fire had been smolderng, it is
supposed, for some hours, and, upon opening the
hatches it burst forth with great fury. driving tie
men from the hold, and completely battling oil at
tempts to subdue it. In an instant the Wild
est confusion prevailed on the vessel, the passen-
gers becoming panic-stricken and frantic with
fear. very few having presence OF mind sutf-
Gent to take care of themselves The steamer
was, without a seconds delay, headed for the
shore on the Virginia side, and in a few
minutes ran aground about 200 yards from
the Virginia side. At this time the
flames had spread with fearful rapdity
and IN the excitement many jumped overheard.
Several of them jumped into the water before the
steamer struck bottom. She provided with but
two small boats, and, in tho frenzy of the moment.
one of these boats thrown overheard and lost
by the passengers who uncontrolled, were en-
deavoring to launch her. Capt. Wood Of
the Inflated steamer, and his assistants
are said to have used every effort to control the pas
sengers but without avail aud but for this dsobe-
dence of orders, many who were lost would have
been saved. The vessel was well provided with bfe
hut In fbe manic III that of The
passengers secured them and this fact also added to
the lamentable loss of life.
Over forty passengers were drowned, among
whom were Mrs. Reed and three children, the wife
and children of Policeman Reed of this city, and his
niece whose name has not yet been ascerained;
Adeline Jenkins, chambermaid, and deck hand.
name unknown; Mrs. Virginia Marbury of Glymont;
Miss BERTHE Sanders and child of Currioman, Va
Up to the time that the express in which the mar
rator of this statement arrived left the scene OF the
wreck, but five OF six bodies bad been recovered,
and the confusion great that farther list Of
the names of those lost could not be obtained.
Among the saved was a Mr.. Wise, Of this city, and
j. Wilkin Massey. Kenney states that Capt. Wood
was the last TO leave the steamer and tho
pilot, Mr.. Boswell was surrounded by the flames
before he left the pilot-box which was not until
after he had run the steamer aground.
The flames spread with such rapidity that the
tiler ropes were on fire before the vessel struck
ground. All Of those lost were, it is supposed,
drowned, having jumped overheard to escape the
flames.
The fire was first discovered about 20 minutes be-
fore II o'clock, and Kenney states that in less than
10 minutes the vessel enyeloped in flames and
now lies where she was run aground, burned to tho
waters edge. Chatterton's Point is Just
opposite TO Maryland Point and the survivors of the
disaster have been made comfortable as possible
at Stewards and near that place, where they will re-
main until about o'clock this Saturday morning,
which time the steamer Georgiana will take them
on board, expecting TO reach this city about
o'clock, p. NJ
About one-half the passengers on the Warasset
were women and children. many of whom were en-
route to the country places along the Potomac to
spend short time with their friends. There were
quite number of colored people among the pas
sengers.
The Wawasset is aide-wheel steamer OF abont $50
tons, and was engaged in running between Wash
ington and the landings along the Potomac. she
was insured for $4,000.
When she left here this morning 1t was supposed
she was in perfect order and the origin of the fire is
at present unknown.
The crew Of the Wawasset consisted OF Capt.
Wood. clerk, two engineers, two fremen, bar
keeper four deck hands. and chambermad.
AS soon as the particulars Of the disaster became
known tonight 1:l5 a. M great crowds collected
about the wharves, and the steamer Express was
boarded by hundreds Of persons, anxious to learn
the fate of friends on the Inflated steamer; but a.
the registry list destroyed, no positive partieu'
lars as to names could be gained.
1t is impossible to obtain correct list before tho
arrival Of the survivors on the Georgiana, when 10