TERRIBLE DISASTER. FORTY LIVES LOST ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 421, 20 November 1889, Page 3

TERRIBLE DISASTER. FORTY LIVES LOST ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

The steamer Corona, of the Ouachita Consolidated Line, left here last evening, sa>s a New Orleans despatch of October 3rd, for the Ouachita River with a full cargo of freight and a good list of passengers. Her boilere exploded at False River, nearly opposito Port Hudson, at 11.40 o'clock this morning, causing the loss of the steamer aud-about forty lives. The Anchor Line steamer City of St. -Louis., Captaia James O'Neill, was near, and with her crew and boats saved many lives. The surviving passengers and crew were taken on board by Captain O'Neill and kindly cared for. Following are lists of the lost as far as known : Crew, J. W. Blanks, captain ; J. Y. Jordan, first clerk ; Charles C. Ellis, "second cle'r'U ;~'Swjmp- Manna, third clerk j Fred Dinkle, barkeeper;; Fred Vermin, barkeeper; Pat Ryan, steward ;Blck' Cuisis, fireman ; Tom Shook, engineer ; Henry Davis, deck hand;, Tom 'Cook,' sailor ; Billy Young, second mate ; Sam Sheol ' and Texas Bert, both captains of the deck watch, and eight roustera. Passengers': Dr. At well, four negro musicians, Mr Scott of Smithland, La., Mr Davis, a stockman, of Texas, MrKoench, Mrs Huff of Opdlousas, Mrs Kaufmans,, nurse and eldest 'child, Mrs, Tom Hough ; of Opelousas, Mr -"Wilson of Red River Landing. Ten of the saved are woundod, but not dangerously. No one seems to be abletoghe any explanation as to the cause of the sudden disaster. Captain O. C. Sweeney, who assumed command on tho death ot Captain Blanks, says the explosion wa^ not due to a too high pressure of steam. He had just had occasion to examine the gauge, and id positive there was not a pressure of more than 135 pounds. The boat' had a moderate cargo. She was in the middle of the stream, just below the landing, and had just whistled to pass the City of St. Louis, fortunately coming down at the time. The explosion had a downwai-d tendency and blew out the bottom of the boat, causing her to sink immediately. The cabin was torn in two, the rear portion floating down stream and bearing a number of the saved. Captain Sweeney said the boat would undoubtedly have burned had she not gone down immediately.