The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-03-14
b. L. Carter, clerk of the boat.
James Miller, porter, colored.
Gus Schrevant. bartender.

b. L. Carter, clerk of the boat.
James Miller, porter, colored.
Gus Schrevant, bartender.
An unknown young man.
Many others were reported lost, but
from time to time most of them turned up
and the fatalities mentioned are thought
to be all.
The Longfellow belonged to the Gin
cinnati and New Orleans Packet line
The loss of the Longfellow is one of the
tragedies of the river for which there
seems to be no remedy short of removal
of bridge piers. The Longfellow was
scheduled to leave last evening for New
Orleans, but the fog on the river was
so dense that Captain Wise, the pres-
dent of the packet company, ordered her
to be held until this morning. He also
ordered the Carroll to be ready to assist
the big steamer to pass the dangerous
bridge piers. For having given this
latter order Captain Wise is more than
gratifed, for undoubtedly it was the
means of preventing woeful loss of
life
The Carroll took position at the stern
and port side of the Longfellow and as
sisted in making the turn. The boat
went all right until within short dis
lance before reaching the piers of the
Chesapeake and Ohio bridge, when the
treacherous currents began to interfere
with the boats. There was no fog, as
at first reported, but as the boat pointed
to the Kentucky shore the wind blew the
smoke in such way as to entirely blind
the pilot. Il cannot see anything" he
shouted to Captain Joe Kirker. The
captain called out to run her south of
the pier. The pilot signalled the engi-
neer to stop, using the speaking tube
for that purpose. But the current was
to strong for the simple fact that the
big vessel, with its powerful consort,
with the pilots obscured, was absolutely
helpless.
The danger was apparent. Warming
was given to every person and in a mo-
ment the Longfellow crashed against the
pier and was crushed like an egg. The
stroke was alongside the boilers. Then
was apparent the wisdom of having the
Carroll alongside. Those who could do
so rushed for safety to that vessel. With
remarkable presence of mind some of the
crew manned two life boats of the Long
fellow and saved themselves and the fam
lily of Capt. John Miller of Missouri.
landing them at Covington, Ky.
The destruction of the steamer was al
most instantaneous. She hung to the
pier while the current striking bow and
stern, broke her in two and in less than
five minutes she went down.
David Aldrich of Rome, n. Y, was an
elderly man who was accompanied by
his wife and Mrs. NJ. A. Armstrong Of
jamestown, n. Y, was lame and could
not make his way over the freight that
impeded the way to the side of the boat.
His wife and Mrs. Armstrong were saved.
Aldrich had been superintendent of the
poor house in Rome, n. Y, and was well
known in central New York.
The aged clerk of the boat, Captain
B. l.. Carter. was lost with the boat. He
committed the discretion after getting
aboard the Carroll of going back for
something from his office. Before he
could return the vessel went under.
James Miller, the colored porter, was
fatally crushed by the collision.
Gus Schrevant, the barkeeper, was
lost in an unselfsh effort to save the
aged clerk. They were seen to go down
together as Schrevant was doing his ut
most to push him back to the Carroll.
Portions of the wrecked vessel have
been found several miles below and it
is possible that a portion of the freight
may be saved. The company has al
ready made arrangements to take such
passengers as may desire on the Buckeye
State through to New Orleans.