The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-06
4 STEAMBOAT IN FLAMES.
A Number of Her Passengers
Drowned and Burned.
The Gallant Conduct Of Her Pilot
and Captain.

The steamer Quinte has been burned to the
waters edge near Deseronto, Ontario. Four
lives were lost and many of the passengers
and crew were injured. The steamer left Desc
ronto at $50 P NJ, Captain Christie in charge,
with a crew of twelve and twenty passengers.
When but few moments from the dock
fire was discovered in the wood work near
the fire hole by deck hand, who notified the
engineer, when the pumps were set at WORK,
but without avail.
Captain Christie was notified and when he
saw there was no checking the flames he or
dered Pilot Collier to beach the boat on q
shoal, which was done. The Captain and
crew were at their boats and all efforts were
made to save the passengers, who lost self
control and plunged into the water without
taking life preserverS or anything to keep
themselves from drowning, with but two or
three exceptions.
Pilot Collier stood at his wheel until the
boat was grounded and the engines had
stopped, the engineer, Thomas Short, leav-
ing his engines running. The flames drove
him away. Pilot Collier left the pilot house
when the flames burst in and he was severely
burned on the face and hands. Engineer
Short was also severely burned before he left
his post, both officers endangering their
lives to insure the safe delivery, if possible,
of those who had Consigned themselves to
their charge.
Before help could reach them from Deseron-
to the crew of sloop lying close by put out
in boats to the rescue and picked up all that
they could find. The steamer Deseronto, ly-
ing at her dock there, and the steam yacht
Ripple went to the rescue and brought the
survivors to the town, where medical aid was
afforded them and every assistance and COM
fort was afforded that the owners of the
burned boat, the Rathbun Company, could
give them.
his passengers and was severely bruised and
only realized his injuries when he was taken
to a hotel and cared for. A. Harte, trav-
eler was in the water and saved boy
named Charlie Anderson. Both of them sat
on the paddle wheel of the burning steamer
until they were taken off by the crew of the
Deseronto.
1t is known for certain that four persons
lost their lives, and that by burning probab-
", as none of them were seen to jump over
board. Mrs. Christie, mother of the Captain
of the boat, and her twelve-year-old son,
were in the ladies' cabin few moments be-
fore the alarm was given, but have not been
seen since and must have been burned. Mrs.
Stacey, assistant to the cook, and her young
son were in the dining hall and persisted In
the flames.
None of the freight nor anything belong
ing to the crew was saved. Engineer Short
had large sum of money in his stateroom
and it was lost. Many of the passengers
lost valuables The passengers were in the
dining saloon at tea when the alarm was
given.
The steamer Quinte was owned by the
Rathbun Company and was the best in their
lake service, and was the most popular boat
on the bay and had but three years ago been
thoroughly overhauled and made almost
new boat. She was valued at S1S,0 900 and
was insured for two-thirds of her value.