Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-01-21
A RIVER STORY.
Binkins of the Steamer Tennessee
Early In 1923.

Early In 1923.
One of the early disasters on the Mis-
sissippi river was the sinking OF the
steamer Tennessee, which went down
near Na.chez on the night of February
8, 1923. Over 60 lives were lost, while
the names of many of those who per-
ished will never be known.
The disaster occurred about ten
o'clock The night was dark, and
binding snowstorm which was rag
Ing drove the passengers from the
decks to seek the shelter of the cabin
or retire for the night. In the cabin
mirth and gayety held high revelry,
giving no intimation of the impending
doom.
In a moment it had come. The huge
steamer struck violently against snag,
sending n idr through the whole struc-
ture, causing it to quiver as with life
and filling every breast with fear. The
passengers fastened on deck, many in
their night clothes, tc ascertain the
cause of the shock.
Capt. Campbell gave instant orders to
stop the leak, and the pilot, who hur-
ried down into the hold, barely es-
capped with his life. The water was
rushing in like mill stream from a
hole the size of door.
The fatal news spread, and In the ter
rlble confusion and excitement that fol-
lowed many Of the terror-stricken pas
sengers jumped overheard, to be in
stantly swept from sight. The steam
er was sinking, and the shrieks of its
human freight were Knocked and hurled
to and fro by the bowling and pitiless
wind The scene was indescribable.
What was to be done? was asked in
frenzied tones on all sides.
Finally the longboat was lowered, and
into it nearly 200 passengers crowded
and fell. In the desperate desire of
everyone to seek safety by this means
the boat was nearly capsized, but for
tunately it got off from the sinking
steamer and landed its human freight
safely on shore. AS there was only one
oar to the boat, it was impossible to
make a return trip for those still on the
sinking steamer.
Those left behind pulled off cabin
doors and foated down the river. 9th
ers sought safety among the fire wood,
and number of them were lost by
slipping through and being covered by
II. Others clung to portions of the boat
and were saved.
A man named Logan, who had fallen
into the water, fortunately came to the
surface near the way plank, which he
seized hold Of A man named Keiser
foated off on carpenters bench, and
later came near Logan and joined him
on the plank. They foated down the
river and about eight miles before they
were picked up by c. r. Gibbons. An
other man swan from the steamer with
hat and cloak on until he reached the
willows, where he removed his outside
garments, hung them on the willows
and then swan safely to shore.
Another passenger swan from the
boat with bag in his mouth contain
Ing $4,000 in gold. lie afterwards sue
ceeded in catching hold of plank and
saved both himself and gold. One man
who was sick in his berth, was told OF
his danger, and declared that he was
too weak to save himself, but, on being
reminded that his father was on boart
and required his assistance, he hastily
got up, and not only saved his own ano
his fathers lives, but was instrumental
in saving others.
A young married lady gave an eX
hibition of rare presence of mind. Hel
husband attempted to throw himseL
into the river, but was prevented BY
the wife, who made raft out Of shut
ters, upon which they foated unit
, picked up by skiff.
The steamer drifted a short distance
down the river and settled near som
willows. A number OF the deck pas
sengers succeeded in clinging to thes
willows until daylight, when they wer
> taken from their perilous position b.
a rescuing party.
Scarcely any property was save
from the wreck, except a few trunk
and light articles. The praises of Mrs
!, William Blanton were sung for year
afterwards for her charitable work Il
! caring for the survivors of the terribl
disaster.-Nashville American.
i /