The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-24
able assistance. but failed to do so, although
appealed to by the many who stood upon the
deck of the steamer.

appealed to by the many who stood upon the
deck of the steamer.
A gentleman who escaped from tie Ex
porter afiirms that he called loudly upo,
one Of the tugs, which was but few yard!
removed, and implored those on board to tax.
the ladies off tie boat, if none others, bu
his appeal was unheeded, and the tug re-
NAMED at a remarkably safe distance.
The Exporter and Bodmann drifted to tht
Algiers shore. and there burned quite down
whereafier they were towed into the stream
by tug, and the wreck Of the latter eventu
ally landed at the NIagee plantation, nine
miles below the city.
The Kyle foated directly down the river,
and was taken in charge by tug after burn
ing nearly to the waters edge
| The officers of the United States steame,
Kansas and those Of the steamship City Of
Merida dispatched their boats to the rescue Of
those persons in the water, and succeeded in
saving quite number of them.
| Incidents.
Tugboats, skiffs and all kinds of boats i'm
mediately put out from shore and succeeded
in saving many lives. It is thought that some
fifteen or twenty persons were drowned o,
burned to death.
One Of the tugboats, the Nellie, when peo
pie were struggling in the water, did moi
attempt 10 save !ifs, but contented itself with
discharging small stream of water into the
e. h. l,,., So,
boats.
The indignation of the spectators ct the
conduct Of this boat was intense. The tug
Tyler was also very derelict in the perform.
ance of its duty.
On the after guards Of the Bodmann were
two men who held their position until the
boat reached the middle of the stream, when
the heat of the fire drove them off, when they
seized hold of the rudder chains, where they
hung for few moments and then dropped
into the river.
A man in lead colored skiff after making
several attempts-being driven away by the
excessive heat-succeeded in saving two
women who were hanging from the ring bolt
below the guards at the bow Of the Exporter.
His gallant act was cheered from the shore by
the thousands who witnessed it.
One poor fellow jumped overheard from
the Exporter and was caught in the water be-
tween that boat and the Bodmanr. For q
moment or two he used the utmost exertions
by swimming to extricate himself from his
peri!ous position, but finding his efforts vain,
he threw up his arms and went down. Imme-
diately after the two masses of floating flames
came together.
The porter Of the Bodmann Heated on a
hatch cover across the river" 1t WIS thought
at frs: that he mad gone down, but it was
afterwards discovered that he was saved.
A man and woman who vera clinging to
the bow of the Bodmann were rescued by a
brave waterman, who braved the intense
heat and danger Of proximity to the steamer
and brought them safely from their peril.
Caspar Ebeck, pantryman on the Bod
mann, relates that when be jumped into the
river three ladies' were in his immediate
vicinity, struggling helplessly. One Of them
caught hold of him, and the two came near
going down together. He broke the hold Of
the woman and she Immediately sank. He
does not know who she was.
daughters by clinging to drift log, which,
fortunately, passed as he with his children
plunged into the water. One of his daughters,
Miss Allie, aged thirteen years, drowned.
Mr.. VIM. Morgans conduct is deserving Of
the highest commentator. When he saw the
helpless condition of the unfortunate passen-
gers of the burning boats, he launched sew
eral stages to save them, and at the risk Of his
own life, went out upon one Of them to rem
der what ssistance he could.
When in the middle Of the river, the man
who owned the skiff that lowed his stage ou.,
cut the line in spite Of Mr.. Morgan's liberal
offer to him of $50 to assist him in saving the
passengers. By the brave and noble conduct
Of Mr.. Morgan thirteen lives were saved
from watery grave.
This should should be a proud period in
that gallant gentlemans life, and it will most
sssuredly long be remembered and admired
by all who know how to appreciate gallant and
humane conduct.
Mr.. Morgan was reported missing during
the early part Of last evening; but we are
happy to announce that he returned safely
about 1890 o'clock last night on board the tug
Nellie, without any further injury than that
Of being wet aud fatigued from his noble
exertions.
Thousands of persons lined the levee front
during the evening, and SO great was the
crowd that assembled on the floating wharf at
the head of Canal street, that it came near
sinking. ......
Statements.
]. C. Smith, barkeeper Exporter, at st.
Charles Hotel heord some one cry out
that the Kyle was on fire. Capt Reese, of
our boat. told the men to slacken the lines
but some one cut or let loose the ropes
When the Exporter was on fire she then
drifted out into the stream still burning.