Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-11-24
LOSS OF THE STEAMER
LOUISIANA.
Collision i'm the Chesapeake Bay
with the Charleston Steamer
FaIcOn-Rescue of the
Passengers and Crew.
Scenes and Incl
GENTS of the
Disaster.
Remarked for the Baltimore Sun ]

Saturday morning, the l4th Instant,
Che steamer Louisiana. Capt. w. r..
Mayo, of the old Bay Line, between
Baltimore and Norfolk, Va, was run
into on the way up to this city, while
off Smith Point, near the mouth of
the Potomac river, about ninety-hve
or one hundred miles from Baltimore,
and sunk in seven fathOms water by
ihe steamship Falcon, Capt, John +.
HayEie, of the Baltimore aud Charles
ton Iiue, going out The Louisiana
was struck six feet forward of the
&haft, crushing through the wheel
house. and sunk in about three-quar-
tiers Of All hour, The passengers fifty
ak ia number, aud the officers, crew
and two chambermaids, making one
hundred and twelve persons il all, to-
geihcr with the baggage, mails and
some furniture and express freight
were safely transferred from the sink
ing steamer TO the Falcon, which re-
turned with them to Baltimore, ar
irving at about p. NJ, on Saturday.
WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED
the passengers We're asleep in their
heTJhs, but there was no CONSERVATION
md no panic. Captain Mayo was ia
his statcTOom, and the first mate,
Captain J Kirwan, was the officer on
duty. All the crew (the deck hands
being cOlored mem were speedily at
their post, exhibiting discipline and
courage in the eminent danger of the
hour. Among the passengers were
three ladies and one or two children.
One of the ladies, the wife of DR.. "
J. Hawkins, Of North Carolina, was
conspicuous for her courageous de-
pertinent. Shewas with her husband,
maid and children, and behaved az
cody as though nothing of Importance
was transporting. Miss Milstever, OF
Norfolk, WIS another of the lady pas
seugers. Among the gentleman
aboard were eight or nine naval Off
Gers. who bad been serving OH a court
martial at Portsmouth Navy Yard
The full list of the of the male passen
gers signed TO resolutions is given be-
low. These names are OF fifty-One
passeEgers, the ladies and children
completing the total of fifty-six as sta
ted.
HOW A PANIC WAS PREVENTED.
When the crash came the shock OF
course woke every one; and the state
room of two passengers, gunners in
the United States Navy, near the shaft
was crushed in, and the door had to
bc kicked in to release them. Some
of the passengers rushed out in their
night clothes, but there was no Wild
excitement, owing to the confidence
the officers of the steamer inspired
CyOrd was sent for the passengers to
dress and prepare themselves for the
worst. The alarm bell was sounded
and the crew were promptly at their
posts. Capt. Mayo appeared in the
saloon, where most of the passengers
had congregated, and in few SEN
fences inspired the timid with some
of his own courage, telling them to
keep quiet aud orderly, 10 provide
themselves with life-preservers, and
assured them that he would do all in
his power to preserve life and proper
ty. Some Of the naval officers second
ed the captain by example and admo-
milton. advising them not TO annoy
the captain with questions in view of
the fact that the salvation of all de-
pended on reliance on him. In this
way all tendency to panic was quietly
removed. 1t was soon ascertained
that the steamer was rapidly sinking,
and the passengers were appriSed of
the fact. IS well as of the facilities at
hand for escape, and the transfer to
the Falcon was quietly made 10y the
gang plank, though the LOuisian Is
life-bOats had been promptly lowered
beforehand and manned, Among
those on board besides the naval Off
GERS accustomed to VOyaging were a
large proportion of commercial travel
ers who were also familiar with the
requirements OF such an emergency.
THE TWO STEAMSHIPS.
The steamship Falcon had left her
wharf in this city for Charleston on
Friday evening. she rs regular
steamer of the Baltimore ana Cbafles =
ton line, of which the Messrs. Elorde-
ella are agents. The Louisiana, when
had left Norfolk Friday afternoon,
was due in Baltimore at A. Ne, and
her failure to arrive had created the
gravest apprehensions several hours
before the cause of detention was
known. She was the fastest steam
ship out of port. AS far as can be as
certained il was fifteen minutes from
sighting the Falcon before the collision
occurred. The morning was clear and
starlit, and the range of vision was
about five miles. Some of the paSsen-
gers say that the light of Smiths
Point could be made out. The whis-
ties of both steamers signal;zed that
the lookouts of both were aware of the
other, but the case will turn in its in
vestigation on the propriety and IN
derstanding of these signals. The
statements of both sides of this point
are given below. The Falcon sits
much lower in the water than the