The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-27

RUNAWAY BkRata.- -SinkiHgpi q Barge
Loaded Wa Nail and Gla9Wdrc About
two weeks ago the steamer Fearless, OF
Grays Iron Line, brought the bargea
Giant and lronAides TO this city 10 load
with nails for 81. Louis. One Of the bafges
took on $500 kegs Of nails at the Top
Mil, and was then moved down TO the
Belmont, where the other barge was load
ing, and where its load waa finished ont
with 5000 kegs The other barge, which
contained large assortment Of Pitts.
burgh glassware, consigned 10 81. Louis,
was loaded with $500 kegs Of nails at the
Belmont Mill.
The two barges were lying Ut The Bel
mont mill yesterday, making ready to 20
out on the present. water, when an aoci--
dent occurred which resnited IN the seri-
Gus injury Of one Of the Workmen and the
loas Of q barge and contents. The barges
were not In good position for loading,
and an attempt was made to shift them
around so theycOuld be approached more
easily. While moving tho bargcs a post
10 which line was attached gave way
under the strain that was brought to bear
upon II, and Mr.. James Emory, Of West
Wheeling, who had the contract Tor load.
Ing the barges, became entangled in the
lines and had his leg broken. In the
meanwhile the barges dtifted out into the
strong current, and moved rapidly down
stream. The mate and his crew, who
were on board one Of the barges, called to
the West Wheeling ierryboat for assist
ance, and did what they Conld at the
same time 10 keep the barges together.
The lerryboat put on all steam and
started for the barges, and after fruit.
less effort 10 land them, run out OF steam
and was compelled 10 abandon them.
The bafges continued on down the stream
with the rapid current, while the men on
shore watched nnxlously, dFeading dis.
Aster al the Bellaire bridge, which seemed
more and more probable as tho interview
ing distance Was lessentd. Before many
minutes elapsed the barges were within
few feet Of the structure. The barge
Ironsides passed between the piers safely,
but the Giant struck square against the
shore pier and broke IN two, and sank
Immediately. The surface Of The river
in the. vicinity was shortly covered with
floating pack ages OF glassware, which
were on top Of the barge when she went
down, and numerous persons on shore,
who had Witnessed the wreck, procured
skitfa and succeeded in saving some little
OF the freight.
The steamer Nail City was sent alter
the floating barge 1ronsides, and succeeded
In oyertaking and landing II short dis.
lance below Bellaite, uninjured.
The Giant belonged to Gray's Iron
Line Of barges, OF Pittsburgh, and was
worth about $4,000. The barge is total
wreck. She was loaded with large as.
sortment Of glassware, window glass and
miscellaneous freight from Pittsburgh,
and $500 kega Of nails from the Belmont
Mill, all destined for 81. Louis. We we're
unable to learn the value Of the glass-
ware, or whether either the barge or glass.
ware are Insured, tho agents here not
being informed upon the matter. The
nails were worth about $4,000, and in.
sured for $1,000, as follows: in Peabody,
Of Wheeling, S. 900; in Kenton, Of Coying:
ton, KY, 5000. There may be some sal.
wage, but it will be very little. 4 small
portion Of the glassware was recovered,
aud when the river falls some Of the
nails may. be found and worked over
again. However, this IL mere conjecture,
and it is probable thar the Peabody's
81, 900 will be total loss.
We understand that the steamer Phae.
ton, while coming up from Sunlsh yes.
terday afternoon, passed near Mounds.
vile two large pieces OF the wreck,
besides lot Of floating packages Of glass.
ware. The steamer Fearless WAS expected
to arrive from Pittsburgh last night,
after the two barges, and it is probable
that she will to-day continue her journey
with the rescued barge.