Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-21
STEAMER HOLOCAUST
ON THE OHIO RIVER
20 Lives Lost BY Burning
of Steamer City of Pitts
burg Between Cincin-
natl and Cairo.

CAIRO, Ill, April 20.-One of the worst
disasters in the history of river naviga-
ton occurred shortly after O'Clock this
morning near Ogden's landing. near this
city. While almost al. aboard were asleep
the steamer City OF Pittsburg was dis
covered on fire, and in a few minutes was
burned to the water. The loss Is over
SS0,e0O on the steamer and does not in
clude the cargo. both being a total loss.
The latest estimates are that there were
$50 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 of the survivors. and in the confusion
It has been impossible to get completes
lists. Captain Phillips admits that the
death list may reach sixty.
Many passengers chung by finger tips
to the burning boat, with bodies SUBJ
merged, until. overcome by IRE or water,
they sank to DEATH. Wesley Nicely.
fisherman, rescued two from the wheel
house. One was man and the other q
woman The latter chung to the boat un-
til her hands were burned.
A company on board small gasoline
launch, which happened along, served cof-
fee as long as it lasted, and this was all
the refugees from the City of Pittsburg
had in the way Of nourishment from Z
o'clock last evening until the Kigore ar
rived at 2:3O o'clock this afternoon.
Most OF the passengers were stiu IN
bed when Second Clerk Oliver Phillips
gave the alarm. The engines at once
the crew brought all the hose into play.
Amid the streams of water on all sides,
the flames from the lower deck and dense
clouds Of smoke the passengers rushed
from their state rooms and a frightful
panic ensued. The appeals OF the officers
and drew could not appease the terror
stricken crowds that interfered with those
working with the lifeboats. Few could
adjust Hfespreservers or do anything else
for themselves.
The smoke was sitting. Great clouds
fIoated through the blazing steamer.
choking the passengers and adding to the
terror. Children cried pitifully ~begging
that they be saved. They knew, as well
as their elders, that death confronted
them and chung to their mothers as
though they alone could save them. Life
boats were manned and every effort was
made to save the passengers from the fur
mace OF flames. Sturdy boatmen rowed
desperately in their heroic work of rescue.
Boats were sent from the shore to DO
all they could in the work of rescue.
Laden to their limit with passengers in
the scant attire they were able to gather.
boats were landed at the river banks.
As fast as one boat could be emptied It
returned to the Inflated steamer. the
rescuers not waiting to catch breath
OF rest. H
Partial list Of Those Lost
The following partial lists were revised
up to midnight so far as possible with
meager information obtainable:
CAPTAIN WESLEY DOSS, retired riv-
er pilot, 152s Eastern avenue, Cincinnati
MISS MARIE TESsIM, Cannelton, Ind.
THREE CHILDREN OF Mrs. Fannie
McCuIlum, Of Leavenworth, Ind.
PATRICK BURK AND SEVEN MEM
BE RS OFHIS FAMILY, of Owensboro,s
CHILD OF PILOT AL PRITcHARD, OF
Memphis, Tenn.
CLAY BREEZE, WIFE AND SON.,
CHILD Of Archie NJ. Allen. Of Pitts
MISS MARY LISTER. carrollton. Ohio.
Mr.. ADAMS, of Ohio.
Mr.. DOWNS, of Memphis.
MISS SWEENEY, of Owensboro. Ky.
LII. HUNTER, of Litinti, Pa
Members Of the crew missing:
JOE REDDING, 1215 Budd street, Gins,
cinnati. striker engineer.
FRED JONES, Newport, KY, striker
engineer.
TOM SMITH. Memphis, Tenn. steers
man.
Walnut street, Cincinnati. first steward.
HENRY THOMAS, colored, Cincinnati,
second steward.
JOHN Bolts. Cincinnati, cook.
TONY GILFOYLE. Cincinnati, baker.
First pantry man. three colored IRE
ment, six cabin boys, two chambermaidsf
six deck hands. two cooks.
Bodies Already Recovered.
CAPTAIN WESLEY DOSS.
MISS MARIE TESSIM-
YOUNGEST OF THE MCULLUM
CHILDREN.