The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-09

1T. BLANKS, captain.
j. " JORDAN, first clerk.
CHARLES CELLOS, second clerk.
SWIMP HANNA, third clerk.
FRED DINKLE, bar-keeper.
FRED VERMAN, bar-keeper
PAT RYAN, steward.
DICK CURTIS, fireman.
TOM SHOOK, engineer.
HENRY DOYLE, porter.
JIM SWIPE, porter.
Mr.. TATE, barber.
HENRY DAVIS, deck-hand.
TOM COOK. sailOrman.
BILLY YOUNG, second mate.
SAM STEEL, texas-box.
Both captains of deck watch.
Eight rousters.
Passengers lost:
DR. ATWELI. corn doctor, and bis four ne.
Mr.. SCOTT, Smithland, La.
MP. DAVIS Stockton, Tex.
MR.. KOENCH.
MRS. HUFF of Opelousas.
MRS. TON H0UGH of Opelousas sister OF
Capt. Blank.
MR.. WILSON of Red River Landing.
Mrs. Cofman's nurse
Mrs Coffman's oldest child.
Fifteen rousters, names unknown.
The following is list of the injured:
CAPT. b. G. CoRNwELI, slightly.
- BAUGHsfAN, residing on Black river,
hurt in side not dangerous.
Mr.. CoMsToCK, Donaldsonville, slightly.
J. J. MEREDITH, Columbia, La slightly.
WAYNE LITTLE, slightly hurt about the face.
CHARLES A. PEARCE of New Orleans,
scalded.
PILOT RAwLISs badly scalded on the
CAPT. 7. C. swEENY, slightly hurt by flying
timbers
Mrs. E. W. ROBERTSON of Baton Rouge,
slightly injured.
The following members of the crew were
saved: H. II. Jolls pilot; L. w. Rawlings,
pilot; Charles Pierce steersman: ]. w Handy
engineer; Jack Miller, mate; Billy Higgins,
bill-clerk; Robert earns, carpenter; w. NJ.
Fleming, second steward; Sam Gree, watch
man; Tom Burns, deck-hand; Milt Glover,
fireman; Dan Slemeck, pantryman; Frank
Reeves. cook; Joe Steel baker; Charity LAM
bert, chambermaid; Miss Kelley, second maid;
Joe Rayman. greaser; several cabin boys.
The following passengers were saved: Mrs.
Henry Blanks and two children, Mrs. Mann,
Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Cotiman and child, Capt
B. G. COrnwell, Mrs. John K. Brown, Mr.. j. j.
Meredith, Mr.. L. Mason, Mr.. Baughman, Mr.
Comstock. Donaldsonville; Mr.. John Carr,
Harrisonburg.
The Corona was on her first trip of the sea-
son and had but recently come out of the dry
dock, where she received repairs amounting to
nearly $4,000. She was built at Wheeling, W.
Va, by the Sweeney Bros. OF that city about
seven years ago, and had carrying capacity of
about ,, 200 bales of cotton. At the time of the
Mrs. Robertson says when the Corona ar
rived opposite False river landing, about six
teen miles below Bayou sara, one OF her boilers
exploded, tearing the boat to pieces, when she
sank in deep water in few seconds. Mrs.
Robertson says she was wedged in the ladies'
cabin with some Of the debris laying across her
lower limbs, but was suddenly released, and
found herself floating in the river. She sank
twice, but luckily she was picked up and es-
capped with only few painful bruises on her
limbs
Mr.. L. C. Rawlins, pilot of the Corona, says:
81 was asleep at the time OF the explosion"
He does not know how the explosion occurred;
he was awakened by the noise it made; he
was painfully burned on both hands.
The Hon. l. F. Mason, secretary OF state
who a passenger on the Corona, states
that he was in the cabin talking to Mrs. Rob-
ertson about 10 O'Clock this morning when
the explosion occurred. He escaped with life
preservers and assisted in saving Mrs Robert
son and another lady; there was very little
time for preparation for escape as the boat
went down like lead a few seconds after the
explosion occurred. As the steamer City of
St. Louis came down she was hailed and took
on board all the passengers and crew who were
not lost in the river.
No one seems to be able to give any expla-
nation as to the cause, of the sudden disaster.
Capt t. c. Sweeney one of the owners Of the
line, who assumed command the death of
Capt. Blanks says the explosion was not due
20 a too high pressure of steam. He had Just
had occasion to examine the gauge and is posi-
tive there was not pressure of more than a
hundred and thirty-fve pounds.
The boat had a moderate cargo. She was in
mid-stream. Just below the landing at ArbrOth
and had Just whistled 10 pass the City of st.
Louis, fortunately coming down at the time.
The explosion had downward tendency, and
blew out the bottom of the boat. causing her to
sink Immediately. The cabin was torn in two,
the rear portion floating down stream and bear
ing a number of the saved Can't Sweeney
happened to be forward and started at once to
put out the flames, which began to burn al
several places He says the boat would IN
doubleday have burned had she not gone down
Immediately. None of the books, papers or
other valuables were saved. The City of St
Louis, which was about 800 yards above at
once put out her boats, and she did noble
work in saving lives. The Anchor liner
stayed there several hours rendering
all the the assistance possible, and taking
on board the rescued passengers and crew.
When nothing more could be done, she came
on down to Baton Rouge where physicians
were summoned and everything possible done
for the injured. The only dead body recovered
was that of Fred Overman, the second bar
keeper The remains were put off at the wharf
Office at Baton Rouge, where they were viewed
by Coroner Jones' Three or four of the in
jured remained the City of ST. Louis and
were brought TO New Orleans.