Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-09
The Handsome Ohio River Packet
 Longfellow
SINKS IN THREE MINUTES
After Striking the esapeake Bridge-Dense Fog the
 Many Missing.

CINCINNATI, March S.-The handsome Cincipnati and New Orleans packet Long, fellow went to the bottom Of the Ohio river at o'clock this morning.
 Eighteen or more people went down with her.. She sank in 30 feet of water, opposite Marmet coal landing, at the foot of Smith street. She struck the channel span Of the Chesapeake bridge and sank within three minutes. There we're over 100 people on board the boat when she struck.
 The pilot iu charge of the boat says the fog was so dense when she struck that he was unable to discern the pier in the mist and was not aware of it's proximity. The steamer literally crumbled to pieces immediately following the collson,i and the bow of the boat sank, while the cabin ard stern fioated.
 The real cause of the accident, it is said, was that tbe boat, like the ill- fated State of Missouri, was so unwieldy that she be- came unmanageabie and the pilots were poWerless to control her. The boat was to have left here for New Orleans last night, but was prevented from doing so on ac- count of the dense fog.
 River men say the fog was even greater this morning, and boats should never have lelC. It was ueCloeu, however, Dy tne OWucT of the White Collar line, which owns 1t, to send the boat out, and the tow boat Her cuies Carrel was sent out to aid her in pass ing below the bridges.
 The Carrel was secured to the stern Of the Longfellow and both boats passed down the river to point about fifty yards above the Chesapeake and Ohio bridge, where the Longfellow became un manageable.
 The watchers on shore say the boats bow pointed directly for the Kentucky shore and when fully fifty yards distant it was seen that the collision was inevitable. The Carrel swung around and the strain almost caused the hawsers 10 part. But they held fast for the time being and it was thought for a moment the collision could be avoided, but moment later it became apparent she would strike.
 Many of tine passengers were in their staterooms engaged in sorting their bag gage md preparing for the long trip. shrill blast of the whistles on both the Carrel and Longfellow were the first warn ipgs of any danger, and the staterooms were hurriediy thrown open, while the passen. gers gathered together on the front part of the cabin deck.
 The fog was SO dense that they could see nothing-and few of them were aware of actual danger. The officers were cool and collected and retained their presence of mind for the most part even in the face of imminent danger. The crew were sum- moned in front of the boiler deck and prep arations were made rapidly for removing the passengers, many of whom were ladies, 10 the Carrei, which was still moored alongside.
 All of this occupied but a fraction of time between the moment when it was first seen that the boat would strike and the actual collision. The sound when the boat struck could be heard for several squares along the river front and sounded as if the walls of great building had fallen. moment later and the river was black with floating wreckage and freight. The passengers had escaped to the Carrel, and when the collision occurred the haw- sers broke, while the Carrel drifted to the Kentucky side of the Ohio. The wreck sank quickly and three minutes later scarcely vestige remained.
 The number of the missing and dead, so far as known at this time by the boats agents, is eight, but this number may be increased when the floating wreckage is overhauled. There were about forty pas- sengers on board, the crew of fifty-two and about twenty laborers. None oi the latter are known, as they were only shipped for the river and transfer company a short distance below the Chesapeake and Ohio bridge. Even the number of laborers Is not known, and therefore it is impossible to ascertain whether or not any are miss ing.
 fellow wreck is not obtainable at this hour (l1:30). Following is the list as corrected:
 LIST OF DROWNED.
 DAVID ALDRlDGE, passenger, Rome,
 CAPT. J. LAWRENCE CARTER, first clerk, Newport, Ky.
 GUS CHAUVEL, barkeeper, Cinciuuati.
 MRS. w. J. AULL, passenger, Day.
 JAMES MILLER. colored porter, oin-. cinnati.
 KISSING,
 w. J. AULL, passenger, Dayton, o.
 INJURED.
 WILLIAM COLBERT, foot mashed.
 WILSON D. HART, foot mashed.
 CAPTAIN KEHERER, hands cut.
 BURNEY KING, mate of the Hercules CarreI, legs cut.
 William Colbert, second clerk was among the last to leave the boat, and he was also the last to see Captain Carter. When he saw that the boat was about to strike the pier he hurriei to his own stateroom where his wife was dressing. His young son was with her, and hurriedly warming them to prepare to leave the boat he passed op through to Captain Carter's stateroom. Captain Carter was just placing on his shoes and was standing near his berth. Colbert hastily shouted a warning to him to leave the boat, as she would strike in smother moment. Captain Carter appeared to be dazed for the time being and unable to realize the importance of the warning, for he continued to lace his shoes.
 Colbert, without waiting further, hurried back to his stateroom, and taking his wife both ran to the deck and jumped from this to the roof of the deck of the Carrel. Col bets son followed ttsm and all three es- capped uniujured.
 A moment later the Carrel's hawser broke and she drifted of to one side. Captain Carter could be fairly seen in the fog ou the