The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-21

OF the John Wilson 1T RIehards's
Landing. Tenn. and Loss OF Life.


NEW ORLEANS, July l9.-Clerk Charles
Bachins and Captain John. OF the Inflated
AtchaIalaya steamer John Wilson. reached
here yesterday evening, and give the FOL
lowing particulars of the loss Of the boat ::
The Wilson left Washington sunday
morning. and was Just backing out from
Rlchards's Landing that same night about
half-past II O'Clock when she struck a Snag.
Captain JOHN, who was in the cabin at the
time, saws the shock was so slight that he
had no idea anything serious had occurred.
Immediately after the cry was raised that
the boat was sinking. and he hurried at
once 70 the cabin with lne-prcservers 10
assist a lady who had a number Of children
aboard. II was then announced that all
danger had passed. Captain J0bn found
the steamer careencd over. and on reaching
the boier-dcck he was immersed waist
deep in water. Struggling through tlis
be managed 10 reach the hurricane
deck. and from there made his way 10
the paddle-boXeS. he could see nobody,
n the night was very dark. but could hear
the cries Of those who were clinging 20 the
wreck. In the meanwhile the line made
fast 70 the shore parted, and the steamer
swung out into the stream. livery effort
was made by the unfortunate passengers 10
reach the land. Some attempted 20 swim.
and must have been drowned. Others
saved themselves by life-preservers, planks,
doors. shutters. or anything they could get
hold Of. A. the boat tloaied down stream
she Law with her larboard side above water.
snd this was the means Of saving many
who otherwise would have been lost.
Afterward two Of the Wilson's boats
were launched from the hurricane-deck,
and some skiffs came from the
shore and rescued all that could be found
on the wreck. The steamer loated down
10 the crossing Of the Pacific railroad, a
short distance above Churchyile, and
went 10 pieces against some trees. The
officers Of the boat stated that there were
about one hundred persons all told on
board At the time Of the accident. There
were about twenty deck passengers and
about twenty persons in the cabin. There
were only two lady passengers aboard,
and both are saved. one Of these, Mrs.
Leblanc, Of Poplar Grove parish. II. Lam
dry. had eight children with her-the old
est 10y not over twelve yeas of aye.
six Of the children were saved and
two lost: one a boy of about four
wears. and baby girl only two and 4
half months old. The latter was last seen
in the arms # The second chambermaid,
who was holding il aloft and struggling up
10 her shoulders in the water, determined
apparently 10 save the child if she could.
Both are among the missing and are un-
doubtedly lost. Besides these the follow
ing are among the missing, and in all pro-
bability were drowned:
b. +. Hess. the first engineer;
Frank Henderson (cOlored), the cook;
Edward Reed. rouStabout, and one white
deck passenger whose name i unknown.
The body OF the latter 1loated out OF the
boat few moments before she went 10
pieces. Four other bodies. not yet identi-
| ned. have been discovered neartbe railroad
crossing.
IBy Associated Press.
new ORLEANS. July 20.-The officers OF
Of the steamboat John Wilson. which
struck a snag and sunk in Atchafalaya
river sunday night, have arrived. The
clerk reports the loss Of fifteen lives, a.
| follows Ben. Hess. engineer: Frank Hen
derson. cook; sarah Tucker. second cham
| bermaid: George Walker, fireman; two
children Of Mr. L. Leblanc. Of Poplar
! Grove plantation: George stewart, deck
Messenger: Fred. Cole, Ed. Reed, Aug.
/ Nelson. Charles and Louis Marshall, Gus.
Jone,. Joe Williams, and Woodford Scott