The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-07
COLLISION ON THE OHIO.
The Steamer Mountain Girl Sunk by the
James w. Gaff-Tw0 Men Missing.

CINCINNATI, Nov. GA collision between the
steamer J. w. Gaff. en- route from Memphis to
Cincinnati and the steamer Mountain Girl, GO
ing down the river TO Vevay, Ind, occurred at
/ o'clock this morning, about mile below
Laughery island, some ten or fifteen miles below
Lawrenceburg. Ind. The Mountain Girl was
chartered to convey circus exhibiting along the
river, end had left Lawrenceburg with its peo-
pie, horses and circus property, after III o'clock.
Its next appointment was at Vevay, or Rising
Sun. The show was in the name of Holland &
Mcmahon Capt l. S. Thompson, who was in
command Of the Mountain Girl. was at the
wheel when the boat started down the river. He
tells tho story of the accident in this way:
81 started to pilot the boat myself, but was
sick. having kidney affection, and could not
stand at the wheel. The mate, whose name is
Smith. took my place, and sat in the pilot house
with him. We had no trouble, as the water was
ample and Smith handled the boat all right. /
heard the Calf whistle TO pass TO the left, which
would put US on the Kentucky side, and noticed
that Smith answered properly. L got up and
looked and found that the boats were about TO
pass all right / sat down again, when was
astounded to hear three shrill blasts from the
Gaff which meant imminent danger. / spraag
to the wheel, and found that the Mountain Girl
was apparently attempting TO cross over TO the
INDIANA OF rlSnL Sluc, Oh the cnanDei, dllO bHo
Gaff was coming full head against her. did
my best to stop the engine, and did get perhaps
two or three revolutions of the wheel for back
ing when the blow came. The CATS bow struck
in front of the boilers, about thirty feet from
our bow, and tho crash broke III our hull so that
we mediately took water. turned the boats
head toward the Indiana shore and went as far
rs / could but sunk in twelve feet of water
This brought the water about foot above the
cabin floor. The Gaff instantly came alongside
and so far as / know, everybody was taken off
and put upon the Gaf | do not believe any
body was drowned. There was no occasion for
drowning unless they jumped overheard from
ing are still with the Mountain Girl l did not
speak to Smith to ask him how the boat got
turned across the CATS bow"
The Calf arrived here this morning with the
men and women belonging to the circus. They
to be missing, the canvasman and the lamp
lighter, but nobody can tell whether they
drowned or were left in the confusion aboard
the Mountain Girl The circus men lost ten val
liable trained horses and number of snakes.
Their circus property is nearly all left on the
boat, where it will be injured by water. Many
of the people arrived here this morning without
hats or shoes, and others without other articles
of clothing.
The Mountain Girl a small up river steam
er, built for the Big Sandy trade and was owned
by the Big Sandy Packet Company. She was
valued at from s., 900 to So, 600. 1t is thought
she can easily be raised.
From the best information that can be had
from the circus people. it appears that
John King of Cincinnati and Richard Harrel.
Of Lawrenceburg, were drowned Some of
them say they saw King in the water. Nobody
can be found who has Harrel, and it is
therefore assumed that he drowned.