Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-04-21

I Landing "a miles from this city. this
| morning IN one OF the worst dlsas
| ters IN the history OF navigation on the
| ONO river. Seyenty-five others were
more OF less injured by the burning OF
the steamer City of Plttsburg.
There were $50 persons on board, and
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 Civ.
en- either of the victims or of the sur.
ViVors, and In the confusion II has been
impossible to get complete lists. Capt
PHILIPS admitted that the death list
may reach 60.
Al 4:O5 o'clock this morning flames
We're discovered In the forward hatch.
larboard; the fire alarm was sounded
ana the engineers at once started all
the pumping engines and 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 smohe, the passen-
gers rushed from their staterooms and
a frightful panic ensued.
The appeals Of the officers and crew
could not appease the terror stricken
crowds that interfered with those who
threw water on the flames. as well as
those working with the life boats. Few
could adjust life preservers or do any
thing else for themselves.
The burning steamer was quickly
headed for the bank. A number OF
passengers who jumped off the stern
and tried TO swim ashore through the
swift current we're drowned. Many
also persisted IN the flames. Help. ex.
cept from people living nearby--boats
from the shore resoulng a number Of
passengers-did not arrive until 2,3O
o'clock this afternoon and passengers
with only night clothes and without
food suffered terribly.
The steamer Maude Kllgore brought
the survivors to this port at p. m,
and the several societies Of the city
rendered all possible assistance In the
way Of clothing, etc.
Some Of the passengers were from
PitisbUrg and other up the river points.
Even the names OF the passengers who
started from Cincinnati are not obtain
able, as the only register kept was In
the purser's Office on the steamer.
The Pittsburg was built al Marietta
in 1899. and was valued at $4,000 She
was 300 feet long and 50 feet wide. and
was owned by John NJ. Phillips and A.
L. Brahm Of Pittsburg and Dana Scott
Of GAINESVILLE. The value OF her cargo
W not stated.
Mrs. Phillips, wife Of the command
err Of the steamer and her son, re-
mained here this trip and she received
telegram from her husband tonight
stating that be was not seriously hurt
during the fire.
HALF PASSENGERS WERE LOST.
Cairo. ILL.,, April 2l.-Although no
complete list OF either the victims or
survivors is yet obtalnable. investiga-
ton today indicates that almost one
half OF the 80 people on the City OF |
Pittsburg were lost when that affiliated |
steamer was burned yesterday at Og- |
denis landing between this city and |
Paducah. Many OF those who were |
brought TO this city are suffering from |
injuries exposure and fright. The |
number aboard was about equal !
ly divided between 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 10 be ascertained. The fire /
started in the lower part Of the steam
Pr in the freight material or possibly In
the engine room and shut on the
means OF escape. Many passengers
Jumped overheard from the upper
decks, Within ten minutes after the
discovery OF the fire. survivors say