Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-27

NOIe8e
JACKSONVILLE FLA April 90 Since the broad
waters Of our noble river were first ploughed by
a vessels keel, there has been no such lament
able accident as that which occurred last
Monday morning. In view of the immense
travel upon the St. Johns and the large num-
ber Of steamers engaged in the carriage of
passengers and freight, disasters, involving the
loss of life and property, have been rare and
unfrequent. Veteran captains, who have
grown gray in service upon the river, can
recall no recollection of a similar catastrophe.
This, as far as can ascertain. is the first TO-
stance in the history of the St. Johns in which
human beings have lost their lives by being
consumed in a burning steamer. Had this
sad event taken place a month or six weeks
ago, when every vessel coming down the river
was crowded with passengers bound North,
the result, bad as it was, would have been fear
fully intensified.
The scene of the wreck was few hundred
yards this side of Point La Vista, or Phillips
Point. beautiful bluff on the opposite side of
the river, about four miles from the city. The
channel at this point runs quite near the water
line, and so far as the preservation of life is
concerned, it would seem that the accident
could not have happened in more favorable
locality.
The City of Sanford had just rounded the
long wharf, extending from the shore, at
a. m, when the ominous alarm Of fire was
given. According to the evidence elected the
flames at this moment were just visible among
the port bunkers in the immediate vicinity of
the boiler. While some of the officers we're
arousng the passengers others were engaged
in adjusting the pumps and launching the
boats and life RATS, the pilot in the meantime
heading the boat for the shore, where she
grounded in three feet of water. Up to this
time there had been, so far as can be ascer-
fainad l0cC M life and IL hard
realize that nine human beings should have
perished after reaching place of comparative
safety
The boat was constructed entirely of yellow
pine, and all accounts agree in stating that the
fire spread with inconceivable rapidity. Dur
ing the brief period that the purser required to
rouse the passengers, it had progressed to such
an extent that he was unable to save his
papers, money and checks, which were lost to
the amount of a thousand dollars.
Most of the passengers had retreated to the
after part Of the boat, which was a stern
wheeler, the paddles still continuing to revolve,
after she was beached. They appeared to be
dazed with terror, and almost incapacitAted
from making any effort for their preserva-
tion Captain Roberts urged them to leap over
board, assuring them that the water was shall
low, and that they would incur no
danger. but his inducements were unavailing.
The choice of perishing by weter or fire ap-
peared to be one which they could not decide,
and so the precious opportunity was not seized.
The group collected at the stern consisted of
| Captain Roberts, in command of the City of
Sanford; Mr.. and Mrs. L. G.. Ireland, their two
daughters, one a young lady, the other child of
seveR years, and Mrs A. r. Keep; with her little
son, youth of eight years. While thus bud
died together the elder Miss Ireland fell over
board, and was in great danger of being drawn
under the still revolving wheel, when rescued
by Captain Roberts who sprang to her relief.
Mr.. Ireland, who followed his daughter, was
also in similar strait when extricated by the
| Captain.
Just at this moment, and when CAPTAIN
Roberts. Mr.. and Mrs. Ireland, then waist-deep
in the water, were urging and entreating the
remainder of the party to leap overheard, oc-
CURED the saddest and most lamentable fea-
ture Of the whole dismal tragedy. Mrs Ire
lands little daughter, bewildered with alright,
tore herself away, and rushed directly into the
blazing saloon, followed immedis tely by the
devoted mother. Little Brandon Keep met his
fate in a similar manner, his heroic mother
dying in the vain attempt to save her darling
boy. The remains of these noble women were
found among the debris, In close proximity to
those of their tender children, proving even in
death the depth, sincerity and self sacrificing
character>o of maternal affection.
Among the drowned was Captain Sharttes a
seaman, who had experienced two shipWrecks
and who was a skillful diver and expert swim
mer His loss creates much SURPRISE and it
is surmised that he must have received some
injury that impaired his powers Besides those
mentioned, Mr.. G II. Downer. of Norwalk,
Fla, and three negroes sank beneath the
waves, Mr.. Downer disappearing just as the
boats from the steamer Geo. NJ. Bird made
their appearance.
This steamer, a mile in advance of the Sam
ford, put about as soon as the fire was discov-
cred, and her boats rendered efficient service
in picking up several who were struggling in
the water Her officers describe the march of
the fire as extremely rapid, only a very few
moments elapsing from the time the fire YVES
first noticed until the doomed vessel was en-
velOped from stem to stern in a sheet of fame,
She proceeded up to the city, carrying the sur
vivors, and gave the first information of the
lamentable accident The news produced gen
tlnwrn a vrnI,n -wasN~
Der lost being placed at large figures. Your cor
respondent, with others of the press gang
reached the scene at an early hour, and found
two steamers and fleet Of boats already on the
ground. The wreck was lying broadside on the
shore, and was burnt to the waters edge moth
ing being visible except the line of the hull the
smoke stack part of the Wheel and the boiler.
Men were wadiDg for the dead in the shallow
water. while further out, numerous persons.
with hastily improvised grapnels, were drag
ging the bottom for the victims 1t was the
ghastliest fishery l ever witnessed Upon
the deck of the steamer Magnet were two
barrels covered by sheets, containing all
that was left of the two mothers and
their children, who, but few hours before
were in life and health. Now thew bore no
more resemblance to "the human form divine"
than charred logs Of wood, and those who
looked upon the mutilated fragments turned
shudderingly aside, moved softly and spoke in
whispers. OF all the forms of the grim
monster Death, that by fire is the most terrific
and the most repulsiVe. 1t obliterates COM
picbCly JuO lluCdulC0bS ONCE 30 Ianll1ar. and
denies to friends the sad privilege of gazing for
the last time upon the STILL calm cotIntenances
of the lost and loved.
Not long after my arrival the first drowned
body was entangled In a drag, and on being
drawn to the surface, proved to be that of a
negro deck hand Those scavengerp the
crabs, had already been at work upon the face
and had to some extent dis1gured the features
A short time after the body of Mr. Downer
was discovered. This was not mutilated and
the face wore calm, peaceful expression. His
watch had stopped running at 407 marking
the time when the heart-beats of its owner had
ceased forever.
Later in the afternoon another boat arrived
bringing the blackened fragments of two
bodies from the wreck whose identity could
not be determined They may be possibly those |
of the son and nephew of the negro pilot
Brooks, as these two persons are still missing
It is positively known that nine persons perish-
ed, six of whom were cabin passengers 1t is
mentioned as an unusual feature of this sad |
occurrence that there were no outcries or |
shrieks among the passengers, and that a |
remarkable quiet prevailed
The accident continues to be the con-
stant subject of discussion, and various |
opinions are entertained An intelligent jury |
has been summoned upon the inquest, and a |
rigid investigation is now proceeding NAV II |
be long before am called on to narrate STINT |
lar disaster TIE funeral services OF Mrs |
Keep and child were held YESTERDAY at the /
Catholic church. and were attended bv a large |
concourse of citizens.
Alachua county has the honor of boasting of /
thO nAob llpc podCH VI bL6 season, ana This in Il
April, when many Of the peach trees at the |
North have not yet bloomed. The specimen is |
pronounced by the editors Of the Florida Dis |
patch, to whom it was sent, to be fully me-. |
Tured and finely favored. About SO, 900 quarts |
OF straw wberries have thus far been shipped be- /
New York from this city. In Orange county
the happy people are feasting upon water /
melons.
1t Is hoped that large factory for the manu-
1acture OF paper from palmetto pulp Will be /
erected In our midst during the summer The /
raw material is here in great abundance and |
produces paper Of remarkable strength and /
toughness. Such an enterprise would pay |
handsomely.
The Circuit Court for this county will COM
mence its session next Tuesday. None of the /
dockets are heavy, and short term is ex- 1
pected. The spring courts generally through
out the State snow heavy decline in criminal
cases.
Jacksonville has lost the most Of her visitors
and the large hotels. lately filed with guests /
are deserted, and wear gloomy Appearance
Onr merchants anticipate a brisk summer basi
ness, however. as the increase of population |
up the river will create a demand for sunDlies
OF all descriptions. The lumber trade ID aIso
hourishing. W n
FREE TRADE AND NO CHINESE.