Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-01
THE WRECKED STEAMER.
The Passengers Locked in the CabIn-
story of the Survivors.
NEw YORK. Aug. so.

NbN lokh. aug. 5u.
A special from Evansville. Ind. saws in
addition 10 those already reported lost bv the
sinking of the steamer Belmont, il is sup
posed that a Mr.. Pfifer and his wife were
drOwn ned. Interviews Sith the survivors Of
the terrible catastrophe show that some mar
row escapes were had. Robert Mitchell, who
travels for boot and shoe house Of Evans
vile was on the i'll .fated boat. He said that
during the storm the doors were kept locked
TO keep out the rain The doors were locked
by the orders Of Capt. Smith for the safety of
those on board. When the last attack of the
storm took place. the pilot was heading the
boat for a sand bar with the intention of run
ming her ashore. Capt. Smith herewith or
dered the pilot to back the boat and hold her
steady, but soon as the boat was stopped
the wind got such a leverage as 10 capsize
her. W hen the boat bt gan 10 careen Capt
Smith ordered the men 10 call all from the
cabin. but il was too late and TIE boat went
over in - feet of water before they could
get out. Mr.. Mitchell says that he realized
the danger of the boat turning over and as
sisted by Mr.. Samuel Butler, travelling
salesman of this city, he succeeded in forcing
open the front door OF the forward cabin
They got out on the cabin deck just as the
boat began TO 90 over. As the boat sank in
the water the fires were eXtinguished, causin =
heavy steam TO rise up. Butler and Mitchell
had hold of the hog chain but the hot steam
compelled them to let 20 and they fell into
the water. They quickly recovered and once
more got hold of the chain and by hard cling
ing were enabled TO hold on until the boat
was turned completely over, when they final
ly succeed iu holding on to the upturned
keel. Pilot James Kay, Robert Redding
Engineer NJ. l.. Hong and ANOTHER person,
IL. IL. /. ..
succeeded in holding on to the wreck until
the storm was over, when they were rescued
by skitt sent out to them. Mr.. Mitchell
said Mr.. Roach was trying to get out at the
other door of the cabin and he called him TO
the other door, but the boat was at such a
pitch that she was too straight for Mr.. Roach
and he and his little boy were lost. Mr.
Butler sand that the screams of the ladies
were heart-rending and could be heard over
all the roar and fury of the storm, but no
help could be given them as only few min
utes elapsed when the boat was going down
James w. Reed of Reed Bros. of Evansville
was on the boat and succeeded on getting on
the barge, but was nearly blown overheard
in the attempt. Several others on the boat,
including Stover,a newsbOy and the steward,
/ reached the barge. After the accident, Supt
Nichols OF the Henderson Bridge Co., sent a
! ulNtE " liiS NTSGh anu lIlEte bOHles were re-
covered. As all those lost are in the cabin
of the boat the bodies in all probability be
recovered today. A force will be kept there
until the bodies are secured
EVANSVILLE, Ind. Aug. 81.
Six bodies have been recovered from the
steamer Belmont as follows: Mrs. Murray
of Brookfeld, Ala, and babe, Capt. John
Smith commander of the steamer and Mrs.
! NJ. S. Lyon and her two daughters. Diver
| Hill arrived here this morning and proceeded
/ to the wreck. 1t is thought tnat there are
several bodies more or ladies in the cabin,
A Mrs. Hay of Owensburg is missing and it
is probable that her remains will be found in
the wreck, Mr.. Murray says that his wife $
neice, young lady 10 years of age. is lost.
| LATER-The tug isabella has just arrived
! from the wreck Five bodies have been
taken out today, making II in all. 1t is
/ thought that all the white bodies have been
taken out The bodies of a colored woman
and colored child are still in the wreck.