The North Star (Rochester)/1847/12/03/Full particulars of the burning of the propeller Phœnix
From the Detroit Free Press—Extra.
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE BURNING OF THE PROPELLER PHŒNIX.
We have the painful news of the destruction of the Propeller Phoenix, together with upwards of 200 passengers, of which one hundred and fifty were Hollanders, on their way to settle in the west.
This melancholy news we get from the Engineer, who returned to this city on board the Delaware this day.
The Phœnix was bound up, and Sunday morning fast about 4 o'clock, when within 15 miles of Sheybogan, she was discovered to be on fire. After finding it impossible to extinguish the fire, and that all who remained on board would perish in the flames, many jumped overboard to save themselves as best they could.
About thirty got into the small boats many were picked up by the Delaware, which hove in sight after the Phœnix was in flames, hut not in time to render any assistance to those who remained on board, or were unable to get into the small boats
The engineer furnished us the names of those known to have been lost, and who he recollected by name.
Mr. West, lady and child, Racine.
Mr. Fisk and lady,
Mrs. Heath and sister, Little Fort,
Mrs. Long and child, Milwaukee,
J. Burroughs, Chicago,
D. Blish, Southport,
Two Misses Hazelton, Sheybogan,
About twenty-five other cabin and five steerage passengers; together with one hundred and fifty Hollanders.
Of the officers and crew were lost—
D. W. Keller, steward, Cleveland,
J. C. Smith, saloon keeper, Buffalo,
N. Merrill, 2d mate, Ohio City,
W. Owen, 2d engineer, Toledo,
H. Robinson, 1st fireman, Buffalo,
Deck Hands—T. Halsey, T. Ferteau, River St. Clair; J. Murdock, A. Murdock, Canada; George ,
Cabin boy—H. Tisdale, of Cleveland; body found,
Wheelsman—L. Southworth, New Bedford.
Two colored cooks, Detroit.
The names of those saved are—
Capt. Sweet, Ohio City,
Clerk—Donihue, River St. Clair,
Engineer, M. W. House, Cleveland,
1st Mate, H. Watts, Cleveland,
Wheelsman—A. G Kelso, Ohio City,
Deck Hand—J. Moon, Cleveland,
Fireman—Michael O'Brien, Buffalo,
2 Porter—R. Watts, Cleveland.
The Phœnix had the largest load of passengers and freight she could carry.
The loss of life above is the largest which ever occurred on the lakes, and the property lost is immense.
It is supposed that those 150 Hollanders had considerable money with them, as they were seeking a location in the west; but how uncertain is life! It is indeed mournful to record this sad catastrophe.
From the Cleveland Herald.
additional particulars.
We have conversed with Mr. M. W. House, engineer of the Phœnix, and from him received the following particulars in addition to those furnished by the Free Press.
The fire was discovered under deck, near the hark end of the boiler, and all possible means used to extinguish it, but without success. The two small boats were lowered away and instantly filled with those who escaped. Capt. Sweet, who had been confined to his state-room, one wheelsman and one deck hand were in one of the boats; the 1st mate, one fireman and 2d porter in the other; the balance of the load were chiefly Hollanders.
Mr. Donihoe, Clerk, Mr. House engineer, and one passenger, Mr. J. Lang, were all what were taken from the water alive. Donihoe and Lang were found under the stern, clinging to the wheels and the engineer on a float about 50 rods from the wreck. Those who were saved were taken up by the propeller Delaware, which was at anchor off Sheboygan at the time the fire commenced. The Delaware towed the wreck, which was completely gutted into Sheboygan, where it now lays aground. Much credit is due to Capt Tuttle and the crew of the Delaware for the prompt and humane assistance rendered by them on the occasion, and for the kind treatment extended to the sufferers whilst on their passage down.