This disaster took place at the mouth of Arkansas river, January 12, 1850. The St. Joseph was from New Orleans, bound to St. Louis, with a valuable cargo on board. This steamer and the South America were running side by side at the time of the accident. The larboard boiler of the St. Joseph exploded, and the boat soon after took fire. There were many deck passengers on board, some of whom plunged into the river. The boiler was blown backward, instantly killing a boy at the engine, and mortally wounding the second engineer, who died the next day. A Mr. Moore, of Glasgow, Mo., was also mortally wounded. He lingered in great agony for twenty-four hours, having every particle of skin pealed from his body. It is be]ieved that eight or ten persons were drowned.
We have stated above that the steamer South America was near the St. Joseph at the time of the accident. Captain Baker, of the last named boat, took $3000 from the iron chest and handed it to the clerk of the South America for safe keeping. On the next day, Captain Baker, wishing to pay off his men, desired to have his money back, but the clerk of the South America would give him but $800, claiming the balance for salvage. Captain Baker stopped at Memphis, in order to take legal measures for the recovery of his money. The South America was attached at that port, and the Sheriff took possession and detained her for twenty-four hours. In the meanwhile, the facts of the case coming to the knowledge of the citizens, caused such a general feeling of indignation, that the officers of the South America being apprehensive of popular vengeance, agreed to refund the money to Captain Baker. The behaviour of Captain Greenlee to the crew and passengers of the St. Joseph’s, is represented as inhuman in the highest degree.