River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-04-30
Three Steamers Burned AT New Or
leans-A Large Number Oh Lives
LOst--A Davidson Lower River Boat,
the John Kyle, Burned.
New Orleans Telegram. April y.


New Orleans Telegram, April 23.l
About 4 P. NJ. fire broke out in the
blacksmith shop of the steamer John
Kyle, which was lying at the..foot Of Poy-
dras street. The Kyle lay between the
Lizzie Taylor below and the Exporter
above. The Bodman lay above and next
to the Exporter. Soon after the alarm
was given, the tug-boat Ella Wood came
up and commenced throwing water on
the burning vessel, but without effect.
Captain Hutchinson Of the Kyle was
standing on the front deck. and when the
fire broke out he promptly notified all on
board to leave, and it was apparent from
the first that the boat could not DO saved.
Captain Hutchinson thinks every one on
the Kyle was saved. VIM. Brown, chief
clerk, who opened the safe and took out
the money and papers, was the last to
leave the Kyle, which had in
the meantime been set adrift,
and in escaping he was
enveloped in the flames, and seriously, if
not dangerously, burned over the face
and hands. His eye-lashes and NOUS
taches were singed off. lie, however,
jumped into the river, and swan ashore
lie was at once taken to a hotel, where
he was attended by physician.
Capt. Hutchinson says the cabin Of the
Kyle was enveloped in flames in less than
two minutes from the time the first alarm
was given. When the Kyle was cut loose
the eddy drilted her up stream. and those
on shore, seeing the danger, cast off the
hawsers by which the Exporter and Bod
man were tied up. This act proved dis
astrous. The Kyle drifted against the
Exporter and Bodman, and all three
boats drifted into the stream. So rapid
was the progress Of the flames that the
Exporter took fire the moment the Kyle
touched her. People on board the Elk.
porter, having no other refuge, jumped
on the Bodman. This boat, in less than
a minute after the Exporter, also caught
fire, and the three burning vessels drift
ed together into the stream, where they
were soon burned to the waters edge.
Many persons who had gone on the
Exporter and Bodman as spectators, were
on board when the boats drifted into the
stream, and had to jump overheard. Some
her are believed to have been lost. The
number lost is estimated at from 20 to
100. The commander of the U. s. steam
er Kansas promptly sent out two of his
boats, one of which rescued IL persons
The jobbing tug-boats made no effort to
rescue those in the burning boats. There
was an excursion party from Cincinnati
or Pittsburgh, many of whom, it is feared,
we're lost. The Bodman arrived this
forenoon, and had discharged most Of her
cargo. The Exporter was to leave this
evening, and had about 400 tons of freight
on board, all of which was lost.
Among the lost is the daughter of Capt
Reeze, of the Explorer. Capt. Sprinkle of
the Bodman, was much burned about the
face and hands. The son of Capt. Sprinkle
is reported among the lost.
The Exporter was owned by James
Reeze, ST., Of Pittsburg, and valued at
$4,000.
The John Kyle was owned by Captain
John KYLE and p. S. and w. F. David
son, and valued at 100000.
The Charles Bodman was owned by
Captain o. p. Sprinkle and others, of Gin
cinnati, and valued at $4,000. All sup
posed to be insured in Western offices.
On board the Exporter was Capt. Reeze,
the owner, from Pittsburg, who, with his
family and a number of friends from that
city, were here on a pleasure exursion.
The ladies of the party were all ashore,
except Mrs. Reeze and daughter and one
other lady. Mrs. Reeze and the other
lady were saved, but the daughter was
drowned. 1t is impossible tonight to
give the names or ascertain who is lost.