New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-25
4 DISASTER IN FLORIDA.

LIVES LOST IN A BURNING STEAMER.
THE PURsER IN AN EFFORT TO ARREST A PANIC
CAUSES VALUABLE TIME TO BE WASTED BY THE
PASSENGERS.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, April 21 The most shock
ing disaster which ever occurred in Florida waters
was the burning of the steamer City OF Sanford
some five miles above this city about o'clock this
morning, while on her way from Sanford When
the vessel was opposite Point La Vista fire
was discovered issuing from the forward
hold from among quantity Of pine
wood. An alarm was at once given. the purSer
gong through the boat and arousing the passen-
gers and i'm order to prevent panic telling them
nOt To be alarmed as there was plenty Of time. This
caused some to lose valuable time. The boat was
headed for the shore, and was in few
minutes grounded in three feet of water.
but the fire had driven the engineer from
his post. and the engine could not be stepped.
An attempt was MAIDS 70 rescue the passengers by
having them g. aft and jump overheard. but not
witbstanding ;he efforts III tils direction nine per-
sons and probably more pcnshrd
The Camcs Of those actually Known 10 De dcau are
llrs. a r. KrEp and child of Jacksonville.
Mrs. IuLAND and daughter If Iowa.
&. Ill. DOwN II. of NJr0alk, FLA.
CArrAIN >nAErrLIE OF the schooner Magnolia.
recently lost OF the Mosquito Inlet nar.
CHARLES PIERCE. nephcw, and WILLIE BROORS,
a SON OF the pilot of the ll-iated steamer.
DDRsE SNAPPFK a deck hand.
The officers of the steamer George NJ. Bird, which
was coming down the river few mil is ahead OF
the SANFORD, discovered the IRE, and atonce put
back To the scene of the disaster The
Br rd and "f brought 'N' to tbs city. The
remains OF the victims subsequently, reached
here for lnteIment some OF he 9odies Were
out the city accompanied by considerable eNclte-
meat coroueIs jury IS already in session. and
all the facts sill be elected. The steamer and con-
tents total loss, nothing whatever being
saved.
The statement Of the purser. J. A. Stead. con-
the hurricane deck when | head the alarm
of fire; cane ont half dressed and
saw a very LIGHT blaze in the
forward hold rushed thr.uen the passenger
saloon, breaking in doors of stateroOms and waAen-
ing passengers, and thu ran back 20 the room for
money and the boats books aud papcrs. The
10 time To gel out anything except the books. The
boat had been headed IN shore ard slruck IN about
secured gang plank and pushing ont INTO
deep water saved the stcwaIdcss. and attcrwaTd a
crippled pa,s ngor. c. J.. Smith saw the head OF an
other person III The water but before he cOnId get
to him, Zee went under and saw him no more.
Captain Roberts states That as soon as the alarm
was gwen he bad the steamer, which was not niore
than a quarter Of a mile from the land headed in.
lie then ran 10 the saloon tho passengers together
led them to the after part Of the boat. When she
struck The steamer swung round and the strong
wind swept the flames with terrible and fatal effect
the entire length of the boat. lie tben told the
passengers to jump into the water, which
was not deep. Mr.. Ireland dld SO
at and saved. Miss Ireland,
his daughter, young lady of about eighteen years,
followed, but alng near the stIll reyol wing wheel,
was beng sucked under. when the captain
sprang after her and succeeded III ell
fectng her rescue. He then urged the remaining
passengers to follow. but the little gil of Mrs. Ire
land becoming panlc-stuckcn, ran back into the
blazing cabin and her mother following, both were
lost. SO Mrs. Keep, who attempted to return
to her son, and persisted with HIM.
Chief Engineer Smith saved his life after being
completely henuned ID by fire by jumping between
the revolving wheels and the guard of
the boat, through space not exceeding
two feet. Several passengers escaped by swIul-
ming. Miss lrelands face was very badly burned
ana her thigh is severely bruised. Mr.. Ireland's