Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-24
The Steamers John Kyle, Ex-
porter and Charles BOdmann
Burned to the Waters
Edge in Front Of
New Orleans.
One Hundred Persons Supposed
to have been Lost, Embrac-
ing. it is Feared, an
Excursion Party.
Gallant Conduct of the Navy
Inhuman Indifference of the
COrmOrant JObbing Tug
BOats-Etc., Etc.

NEW ORLEANS, April 23.-About four
O'Clock this evening, a-fire broke out In
the blacksmith shop Of the steamboat
John Kyle, which was lying at the foot
ot Poydras street. The Kyle lay be-
tween Jessie Taylor, below, and Ex-
! porter, above. Soon after the alarm
was gwen 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 front deck when the fire
broke out. He promptly notified all on
board to leave, as 1t was apparent from
the first that the boat could not be saved.
Captain Hutchinson thinks that every
one on the Kyle was saved. William
Brown, chief clerk, who opened the safe
a1d took out the money and papers, was
the last to leave the Kyle, which had in
the meantime been set adrift, In es-
Gaping be was epveloped in flames and
severely, if not dangerously burned, over
the face and hands; eyelashes and
moustache signed off. He, however,
jumped into the river and swan ashore,
and was at once taken to the hotel
where he was attended by physicians.
Captain Hutchinson says that the
cabin Of the Kyle was enveIoped in
flames in less than two minutes from
the time the first alarm was given.
When the Kyle was cut loose the eddy
drifted her up stream, and those on shore
seeing the danger, cast off the bawsers
by which the Exporter and BOdmann
were tied up. This act proved dIsas.
trous. The Kyle drifted against the Ex-
porter and BOdmann, and ali three
boats drifted into the stream. So rapid
was the progress of the 4 4mes that The |
Exporter took fire the moment the Kyle |
touched her. The people on board The |
Exporter, having no other refuge, |
jumped en- the BOdmann. This boat, in |
less than 6 minute after the Exporter |
also caught fire, and the three burning |
vessels drifted together into the stream, /
where they were soon burned to the |
waters edge. Many persons who had |
gone on the Exporter and Bodmsnn as
spectators, were on board when the
boats drifted into the stream, and had
to jump overheard. Some Of them were
rescued, but large numbar are believed
estimated at from twenty to one hun
dred. The commander of the United
States steamer Kansas promptly sent
out his boats, one Of which rescued thir-
teen persons. The jObbing tug-bosts
made no attempt to rescue those on the
burning Elats. There was an excur-
sion party from Cincinnati or Pittsburg,
many Of whom, it is feared, were lost.
The Bodmsnn arrived this morning, |
and had discharged most Of her cargo.
The Exporter was to leave this even
ing, and had about four hundred tons of
freight on board, all of which was lost
Among the lost is the daughter Of
Captain Reese, OF the Exporter.
Captain Shinkle, of the BOdmann, was
much burned about the face and hands.
A son of Captain Shipkle is reported
among the lost.
The Exporter was owned by James
Reese, ST., of Pittsburg, and valued at
thousand dollars.
The John Kyle was owned by Cap
tain John Kyle and p. 8. and w. F.
Davidson; value, sixty thousand dollars.
The Charles B9dmann was owned by
Captain o. P. Shinkle and others, Of
Cincinnati, and was valued at seventy
five thousand dollars. All are supposed
to be insured in western Offices
On board the Exporter was Captain
Reese, owner, from Pittsburg, who, with
his family and a number of friends from
that city, were here on a pleasure ex-
cursion. The ladies Of the party were
all ashore, except Mrs. Reese and
daughter and one other lady. Mrs.
Reese and the other lady were saved,
but the daughter was drowned. 1t is
impossible tonight to give the smes OF
Or ascertain who is lost. The hulls Of
the Exporter and Bodmann were tOwed
across the river To COyle's coal-yard,
while that OF the Kyle flosted down
couple Of miles, and sunk.