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Memphts, Txss. Fen. 26, Horrible Disaster.—I has never before fallen to our fet to witness an event of such a heart rending nature as that which occurred at our landing on Wednesday morning. The steam boat Helen M‘Gregor, with about 410 passen gers on Keara, having stopped at this place for a short time, was in the act of pushing off, when one of her boi lers having burst with a tremendous explosion, was thrown from its bed over the forecastle into the river, the chim neys thrown down , every boiler dislodged, and the boi ler deck, engineer’s room, and adjacent offices, made a complete wreck in an instant. To give an accurate de scription of the scene which followed, would exceed the powers of those far more gifted than ourselves. A large number of deck passengers, as is usual when starting out of port, had crowded to the forward part of the boat, and were on this occasion the principal sufferers. Amid the smoke and dust were to be seen, at the same moment, the death struggle and spouting blood of those who had received their wounds ; while the shrieks of the wound ed and the dying were mingled with the general confu sion. Our citizens rushed spontaneously to the scene of disaster, and, by their activity and exertions, rescued ma ny a poor fellow from a watery grave. Houses were thrown open, oils, lints, bandages, and blankets, freely furnished for the use of the wounded, and some were seen even contending for and claiming the responsibility of nursing and protecting such as they have been instru mental in saving. We take particular pleasure in notic ing the activity of our physicians on this occasion, all of whom immediately repaired to the spot, nor ceased their labors until the wounded had received every attention and comfort which their situation required. For the satisfaction of those abroad, who may have had friends and relations on board of the boat, we have taken the pains to collect a list of the killed and wounded, which we annex hereto ; doubtless many were blown overboard, who have sunk, amidst the whirls and sands of this impetuous river, never to rise again. As yet, how ever, we have only heard the names of two who perished in this manner, whom we have included in the list of killed. KILLF.D. Richard Hancock, from Louisville, Ky. A. Vaan Meter Hardin County, Tenn. Talbot, Long Beach, Ohio. James Bledsoe, Kentucky. Carroll, Cincinnati, Ohio. _ Edward P. Beadles, Clark County, Indiana. J. Dunn, East Tennessee. C. B. Giles, Cincinnati. Ephraim Goble, Brookville, Indiana. William Stockwell, Salem, Indiana. Delany, a free black. One white man, name unknown. William Ewing, Clark County, Indiana. J. Reaves, Harrison County, dr. Lewis Young, a black fireman. A black boy, 12 or 13 years old. BADLY WOUNDED. George Frey, from Tipton County, Tenn. John Cameron, Clark County, Indiana. Joshua Richardson, Indiana. John Valentine, Massachusetts. —. De Haven, Philadelphia. John Leland, one of the Pilots. J. Suggs, Union County, Kentucky. Fitchen, unknown. Z. Bailey,or Bell, Hardin County, Tenn. H. Heldreth, Madison County, Indiana. John Addison, one of the crew. Thomas Drenard, Wilson County, Tenn. J. Swan, Lawrence County, Indiana. J. Tenyck, Shippingport. William Case, New York. A black man, name unknown. SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. Tyson, Captain of the boat. Yarner, Engineer, do. Grey, 2d mate, do. T. O'Daniel, from Indiana. T. L. Knowland, Ohio. Manasco, Tipton County, Tenn. John Coons, Clark County, Indiana. William Pottorff, do. do. Doherty, Overton County, Tenn. Thomas Bank, Lawrence County, Indians. Green Williams, a black fireman. [It is with the greatest pleasure we state that although General Thornton and family, of Alexandria, were on board, none of them were injured.—Alex. Gaz.
Newspaper Details
Washington National Intelligencer
Washington, Washington-DC, US
Wed, Mar 17, 1830
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Charles J.
USA 25 Apr 2026
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