The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-11-03
SUNK IN THE MISSISSIPPI.
The UslicenseA st~s uuer Jennie Gslch rfss
Crushed Agai.st Pier-Heavy Loss si


Lifs-Drunken omeers the Casss.
A Rock Island, ml.) dispatch Of the 2sth
ult., says little after 10 o'clock last night
the Jennie Gilchrist left Rock Island with thir-
teen passengers and sixteen men Of her crew
aboard. She passed through the bridge and
got about half n mile above 1t, when, at 10.30
the engineer discovered that the cam rod, which
Is used 10 reverse the wheel, was broken, and
the boat at once began drifting rapidly down
stream. The swollen river gave the current ad-
ditional force, and swiftly the craft went down
TO is destruction.
When the threatening danger became ap-
parent Mr.. Skelton at once rushed into the
cabin. telling the passengers Of the accident
which had happened, and urging them to at
once take refuge on the barge. He notified the
pilot Of what had happened, who, exclaimiDg,
Why don't they do something7 For Gods
sake do something ~ blew his whistle for
danger, and then left tho wheel, giving it
turn for port, and made for the barge,
crying as he went down stairs: =" Save you--
selves; she Ia going TO strike the bridge "
In the cabin every one was frantic. Women
idea a. to what to do. The crew, with the
exception OF Pilot DoTand, the clerk, two
engineers and fireman, were drunk, and as ter
ror struck as the others. The scene was heart
rendipg. Mr.. Skelton and Clerk Schuler tried to
get the passengers down to the barge. Four
women in the cabin were in @ state Of pure
helplessness, doing nothing, saying nothing,
and evidently expecting death. The men tried
entreaty and advice, but it was useless no one
would stir, and It seemed impossible TO get
them or any OF the passengers to move. They
were told that their only hope of safety lay in
getting aboard the barge, but they would not
stir. Mr.. SHELTON and Mr.. Shuler shook them
and tried TO drag them away, but it was use
less. and in despair they left them to their fate.
The panic was everywhere, and any effort to
overcome II proved fruitless.
As the boat drifted down upon the pier,
urged on by the swollen current, she partly
turned and presented her starboard side to the
obstructing pier, striking IL Just aft of the
boilers. Eight persons had taken refuge on
the barge, and as IL swung around to the left
Of the pier, they cast on the stern end and
spring lines. The bow line was fastened to the
fiat ahead, and when il was cast OF the fat
swung to the right, and the line went out with
rush.
At once the steam began 10 rush out, and
for q moment the prospect OF being scalded
was added TO that of being drowned. The
scene at that time was terrific. Those on the
barge knew not whether they were safe or in
mortal danger. Around them was the thick
cloud OF steam, suffocating them so that their
only chance to breathe was by lying down and
putting their mouths to the holes in the deck
In the cabin Of the boat they could hear the
cries and means Of the fated passengers who
stood there, while the crew n the forecastle
were appealing loudly for help. They could be
seen, but at that time no help could be given.
Tho barge drifted OF to the left, followed by
the boat and the fat following ii.
After the bridge was passed the work Of res
cuiDg those on the boat began. First the En-
gipeer was pulled aboard, then the clerk and
ono negro. They had tried to reach the barge
before striking the bridge, but failed, and
falling in the water had drifted alongside tho
barge and they were rescued. The wind car
ried the barge over toward the Davenport
shore, and in the course of a short time they
drifted down onto the island outside Of Paige,
Dixon q Co.'s mill, where it stranded. The
stay thero was short.
The Evansville had heard the cries for help
and 1t left Rock Island on its errand OF succor.
In about twenty minutes IL came upon the
stranded barge, and rescued twelve passengers
from their situation, carrying them back to
Rock Island. Besides the twelve saved on the
barge there were n few picked up on the Iowa
shore, who had clung to the wreck, one a
woman, who had displayed remarkable pluck.
Thirteen are known to be lost.
The steamer had in tow one barge and one
datboat. Tho hatboat was being pushed at the
bow of the steamer. The barge was fastened
10 the port side, and there seems no doubt that
the steamer was totally unfit for the work was
too heavily loaded, and most of the crew was
drunk. The boat was merely freight boat,
snu was nos hcenseu 70 carry passengers. Inc
accident was entirely due to carelessness and
liquor. There was Q good deal OF whisky in
the cargo, and some Of it was tapped before
starting. .rs..
II Ia impossible at this time to give n fnll list
OF those Killed in the accident, as no register
was kept of those ON board tho steamer Those
known 70 have been lost are: Passenger.
Zuber, William wendte and daughter. Mrs.
James Trevor, Mrs. Sadie Temple, and four
unknown. Crew-James Sanford. fireman j.
B. Temple, steward William, uatchman, and
four negroes. unknown. deck hands.