Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-04-24

Cairo. ILL.,, April 81 Although "a
complete list of neither the VIC
Tins nor Of the survivors is yet
obtainablo, investigation today in
dicates that almost one-half of the
80 people on the City of Pittsburg
were lost when that illfated steamer
was burned yesterday at Ogden's
Landing, between this city and Padu-
cab. Many of those who were brought
to this city are suffering from injuries,
exposure and fright. The number
aboard was about equally divided be
tween passengers and crew. The latter
suffered the greater loss in casualties
The names Of many of the roustabouts
were not known, and the number
drowned or burned is not likely ever to
be ascertained. The fire started in the
lower part of the steamer, in the freight
material or possibly in the engine
room, and shut off the means of escape
there, while passengers jumped over
board from the upper decks. Within 10
minutes of the discovery of the fire, at
a. m, survivors say, the upper decks
were swept by flames, and passengers
were penned in on all sides, even the
life preservers being cut off by the
flames. The panic that followed caused
a greater loss of life than would have
resulted if the officers could have con
trolled the terror-strielIen people. Some
rushed through the flames and per
ished others tainted and fell to be
cremated. Many in their night robes,
some of them afire, jumped overheard
and were drowned. Those who got into
the boats saw others drowning as their
overcrowded craft pulled to shore. The
barely clad survivors on the shore not
only witnessed horrifying scenes around
The charred hull, but also suffered from
early morning till relief came in the
afternoon.
The captain says there were 66 pas
sengers, not including dozen babies.
There we're as many women as men in
the cabin, and the indications are that
the greater percentage Of losses was
among the women and children. AS
the register and all other records were
burned, and the survivors scattered in
every direction, there is great difficulty
in getting list OF the survivors. 1t is
conceded that many bodies will never
be recovered, SO that there will never
be complete list Of the victims. 1T is
thought that many charred bodies will
be found in the hull of the steamer
when the mass of embers ceases burn
ing,
Most of the passengers were still in
bed when Clerk Oliver Phillips gave
the alarm. Tho engineers at once
started all the pumping engines, while
the crew brought all the fire hose into
play. Amidst streams of water on all
sides, flames from the lower deck aud
dense clouds of smoke, the passengers
rushed from their staterooms and a
frightful panic ensued. The appeals of
the officers and crew could not appease
the terror stricken crowds They inter
fered with those throwing water on the
flames, us we'll as with those working
with the lifeboats. Few could adjust
life preservers or do anything to help
themselves. The smoke was sitting.
Great clouds tioated through the blaz-
ing steamer, choking the passengers
and adding to the terror. Children
cried pitifully, begging that they
might be saved. Lifeboats were manned
and every effort was made to save the
passengers from the floating furnace.
From the river banks tho sparks
from the burning craft and the dense
clouds Of smoke, tinged with flames,
made strange spectacle.
Boats were sent from shore to help
in the work of rescue. Laden to the
limit with passengers in scant attire,
these boats returned to the river bank.
AS fast as they could be emptied they
returned to the ill-fated steamer.
The burning steamer was quickly
headed for the bank, but many pas
sengers were forced to jump from the
stern. In trying to swim ashore through
the swift current u number were
drowned. Many also perished in the
flames. About 20 women were taken
of in yawl.
The steamer was bound for Memphis.
just prior to her departure from Gin
cinnati she underwent her annual in
spection by United States Inspectors
cameron and Fearn and was granted
tirst-class papers. She was built at
Marietta, o., in 1899, and was valued
at $50, COO The steamer was 800 feet
long and so feet wide Her owners were
John M. Phillips and Albert Brahm of
Pittsburg and Dana Scott of GAINESVILLE.