Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-04-22
OVER FIFTYLIVES lost
Passengers and Crew Of the City Of
Pittsburg Perish.
THE BOAT BURNED,
All Records Destroyed Which Render
nm Accurate List Impossible-Aii
Passengers Lost Their Pos.
sessions In the Fire.


Cairo. Ill.,. April 2i,-one OF the
worst disasters in the history OF river
navigation occurred shortly after 4
O'Clock Sunday morning at ogden's
Landing. near this city While almost
all aboard were asleep. the steamer
City OF Pittsburg was discovered 20 be
on FIRE. and In a few moments was
burned 10 the water. The loss Of over
$50 900 on the steamer does not include
the cargo. both being a total loss. The
latest estimates are that there were
100 persons aboard. and that not more
than half OF them were saved. many
OF the latter being burned or injured.
As the register OF the steamer was
burned. no list can be given. either OF
the victims or the survivors, and In
the confusion Il has been impossible
70 get complete lists. Capt. Phillips
admits thar the death list may reach
co.
Most OF the passengers were In bed
when Second Clerk Oliver Phillips
gave the alarm. The engineers at once
started all the pumping engines. while
the crew brought all the hose into play.
Amid the streams OF water on all sides,
the flames on the lower deck and dense
clouds Of smoke. the passengers rushed
from their rooms and a frlghtful panic
ensued. The appeals Of the officers
and crew could not appease the terror
stricken crowds. that interfered with
those throwing water on the flames
as well as with those working with the
lifeboats. Few could adjust life pre-
servers or do anything else for them
selves.
The smoke was sitting. Great clouds
fioated through the blazing steamer,
choking the passengers and adding 20
the terror. Children cried pitifully,
begging that they be saved. They
be emptied. II returned 10 the Inflated
death confronted them. and clung 20
their mothers as though they alone
could save them.
Lifeboats were manned and every
effort was made 10 save the passengers
from the furnace OF flames. Sturdy
boatmen rowed desperately In their
heroic work OF rescue.
From the river banks the sparks
from the burning craft and the dense
clouds OF smoke. tinged with tongues
OF flame. made a most impressive yet
weird spectacle.
Boats were sent from the shore 20 do
what they could In the work OF rescue.
Boats. laden 20 their limit with pas
sengers IN the scant attire they were
able 10 gather, were landed at the
river banks. As fast as one boat could
knew. as well as their elders. that
steamer. the rescuers not waiting 10
catch a breth OF rest
The burning steamer was quickly
headed 20 the bank. but passengers had
10 Jump on the stern. and trying 10
swim ashore through the swift current
many were drowned. Many also per.
Ished In the flames. Only one yawl
was saved. without oars. and the wom-
en- we're taken OF. About 20 OF 30
we're taken on in the yawl, the rest be-
ing picked up out OF the water.
The Are started In the forward |
hatch larboafd and burned fercely.
when the steamer was run ashore and |
escapes were made over the cabin rail-
ing. Very few passengers or the crew
were aware OF hre until Il was too
late. The captain and clerk state l4O
persons we're aboard. including the
crew. and claim In all SO persons have
been accounted for. leaving so people
lost or unaccounted for.
Just prior TO the boats departure she
underwent her annual inspection by
United States inspectors Cameron and
Fern and was granted frst class pa
pers
Many passengers clung by finger tips
20 the burning boat. with bodies sub
merged. until. overcome by fre or
water. they sank 20 death. Wesley
Nicely, a fisherman. rescued two from
the wheel house. one was a man anu
the other a woman. The latter chung
10 the boat until her hands were
burned
Captain Doss. who was drowned. was
an WAl AANNA IAANAH AAf NAN A"ht"N
the trip for pleasure with his son. Pilot
Harry Doss. and when his body was
found a mile or 50 below the wreck.
he had on all his clothes and a life
preserver. II Is believed he died from
the shock. Captain Doss had been at
work for some time on a history OF
notable river disasters.
The following Is a partial list OBJ
tained. as far as possible, with mea-
gre information obtainable:
Passengers known 20 have been lost:
Captain Wesley Doss, retired river
pilot. Cincinnati.
Miss Marie Tessim. Cannelton, Ind.
Three children OF Mrs. Fannie Nc
Cullom OF Leavenworth. Ind.
Patrick Burke and seven children OF
his family. OwensbOro. Ky.
Child OF Pilot Al Pritchard. Mem
phis. Tenn.
Clay Breeze. wife and son. Union
town, Ky.
Child OF Archie NJ. Allen. PIttsburg.
Pa.