The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-25
COTTON STEAMER BURNED.
The Oliver Beirne Destroyed
on the Mississippi.
Nearly a Score of Passengers and
Deekhands Perish.

The steamboat Oliver Beirne, from st.
Louis, was burned to the waters edge at
Milliken's Bend, twenty-five miles ABOVE
Vicksburg, Miss, shortly after 3 o'clock a
few DAYS ago, and twelve lives were known
to nave been lost.
The cargo consisted Of about 700 bales OF
cotton and 100 tons of freight. The boat
and cargo are a total loss. She had about
eighty deck and twenty cabin passengers. IL
was difficult on the day after the tragedy to
ascertain the loss of life, the several reports
differing as to the exact number. Conser-
vatiye estimates are that twenty were
lost. The following are known 10
have been among those who persisted:
Mrs. Waodel, an elderly lady OF New Or
leans: Sam Entricken, SON OF toe CLERK; Two
daughters of DR.. Worrell, OF Baton Rouge
a chambermaid, a daughter OF Mrs. Adams,
of Omaha; a barber, q second COOK, a,pau-
tryman. FIVE cabin boys and TWO white levee
laborers.
The passengers and crew lost nearly
everything they had in the way OF clothing
and baggage, many leaving the burning
boat in their n~ight-clothes and bare feet.
There was quite a number or narrow es-
capes. Captain Norwegian was the last 70
leave the boat. having to slide down a guy
rod from the upper deck. Pilot Massie made
his escape by passing through the flames 70
the stern of the boat and jumping into the
river. He was severely burned. The mate
displayed his bravery by letting hlmselr
down by a rope, holding a little child by enc
clothing. The bodies Of the pantryman, the
baker, the chambermald MISS Aoams
have been recovered.
Most Of the passengers and crew were
asleep when the alarm of fire was sounded
and before any one was wake the BOAT was
ahame.
The blaze originated on the lower deck,
from what cause is not known, and commu-
~nicating to the dry cotton was soon burning
with great herceness. The crew OF the boat
were aroused, and, with the passengers who
were awake, gave the alarm to those VINO
were asleep.
A rush was Immediately made for the for.
ward part Of the boat and many gov on IA
safety, but that avenue Of escape and others
were soon cut off and the unfortunate pas
sengers and crew were forced to plunge INTO
Chief Engineer Ed. Bird launched the
yawI of the boat, and he, with other men,
succeeded IN picking up many OF the strug-
pIing unfortunates in the water. Some,
however. were beyond reach and were either
burned to death or sank beneath the waters
to rise no more.
The alarm was communicated to the peo-
pie of Milliken's Bend, and the bank OF the
river was soon crowded with the villagers,
who assisted in the work OF rescue and
Hospitality threw open their homes to the
survivors.
The fire spread so rapidly that the escap.
Ing crew and passengers were unable to ave
any of their goods, which were completely
DESTROYED, together with the furnishings
and effects Of the boat. The Beirne
burned rapidly from the time the
Ere was first discovered, and in les
han an hour after the alarm was given
nothing remained but a wreck. The cotton
fell from the sides Of the boat, and, still blaz'
inc. floated down the river. much OF 1t being
picked up by people living along the banks
Of the stream.
The steamer Oliver Beirne was q new
and handsome passenger boat and was
! built at Jacksonville, Mo-, four years ago
She has been used in the excursion trafhc on
the Missouri River for the past two sum
mers, and during the winter she has piled be-
tween local points at the lower end OF thu
Mississippi, and was owned by the Planters
and Merchants Packet Company OF New
Orleans. She was fully insured. The boa
cost over 500, 600. At the time she buruee
she was valued at SOL. 666.