Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-11-08
A STEAMBOAT IN FLAMES.
a Number of Her Passengers
Drowned and Burned.
The Gallant Conduct of Her Pilot
and Captain.

The steamer Quinte has been b,1rned tn +bs
waters edge near Deseronto. Ontario. -Four
lives were lost and many of the nassenoers
and crew were injured. The steamer left Desc
ronto at $50 P NJ, Captain Christie in charge.
WIN crew or twelve and twenty passengers.
When but few moments from the dock
nre was discovered in the wood work near
CHe ilre 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 2
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
taxing 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 III and he was severely
burned on the face and hands Engineer
Snort was also severely burned before he left
ms post, both officers endangering their
lives to insure the safe delivery If possible
or 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, w.
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.
Captain Christie was energetic in saving
his passengers and was severely bruised and
Ei1aSf
to a hotel and cared for. A Harte, a trav-
eler, was in the water and saved a boy
named Charlie Anderson. Both of them sat
on the paddle wheel of the burning steamer
Zntil 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-
ly, as none of them were seen to lump over
board. Mrs. Christie, mother of the Ca plain
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 pcrished 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.
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 SIS, 600 and
was insured for two-thirds of her value.