Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-04-23
A RIVER DISASTER.
STEAMER CITY OF PlTTseuRe
BURNED TO WATERS EDGE.
MANY LIVES WERE LOST.
Passengers Aroused From Their Sleep
to Meet Death by Fire-Many
Heroic Rescues

Cairo, H., April 21,--One OF the
worst disasters in the history OF river
navigation occurred shortly after
o'clock yesterday morning near og-
denis landing, near this city. While
almost all aboard were asleep the
steamer City of Pittsburg was dis
covered to be on fire and in few
minutes was burned to the water. The
loss of over $4,000 on the steamer
does not include 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 1t
has been impossible to get complete
lists. Captain Phillips admits that the
death list may reach sixty.
Two boats and every available craft
from this city went to the scene for
the work of relief. Efforts were made
to catch the New South of the same
line at Paducah and have her steam
back but she had passed Paducah up
ward bound before the telegram was
received.
Most of the passengers were still in
bed when Second Clerk oliver Phil
lips gave the alarm. The engineer at
once started the pumping engines,
while the crew brought all the hose
into play. Amid the streams of water
on all Sides the flames from the lower
decks and dense clouds of smoke, the
passengers rushed from their state
rooms and frightful 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 life
boats. Few could adjust life preserv-
ers or do anything else for themselves,
The smoke wes -stiflias, G 49, - Il
foated through the blazing steamer
choking the passengers and adding to
the terror. Children cried piteously,
begging that they be saved. They
knew, as well as their elders, that
death confronted them and they chung
to their mothers as though they alone
could save them. Lifeboats were
manned and every possible effort was
made to save the passengers from the
fiery furnace. Sturdy boatmen rowed
desperately in their heroic work of
rescue. Boats were sent from the shore
to do what they could in the work of
rescue. Boats. laden to their limit
with passengers in the scant attire
they were able to gather, were landed
at the river banks. AS fast as one
boat could be emptied 1t returned to
the Inflated steamer, the rescuers not
waiting to catch a breath of rest.
The burning steamer was quickly
headed to the bank, but passengers
had to jump off the stern and in trying
to swim ashore through the swift cur
rent many were drowned Many also
persisted in the flames. Only one
yawl was saved, without oars, and the
women were taken off in that.
The fire started in the forward hatch
larboard and burned fiercely when the
steamer was ashore and escapes were
made over the cabin railing. Very few
passengers or the crew were aware OF
the fire until 1t was too late.