Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1899 — RIVER STEAMER SINKS. [ARTICLE]

RIVER STEAMER SINKS.

MisriMippi Boat, with Thirty-five Pareeager* and Crew of Fifty, Lo«t. The steamer Rowena Lee sunk in sev-enty-live feet of water fifteen miles below CarathersviMe, Mo. All on board excepting Capt. George Carvell and his mate perished. The boat had thirty-five passengers and a crew of fifty, excluding the two saved. The Rowena Lee plied between Cairo and Memphis. Opposite Tyler, Mo., while in midstream, she rose slightly as if from an explosion underneath and broke in two as completely as if an immense saw had been run through her. Both halves plunged downward and sunk instantly. The accident occurred so suddenly that the passengers had not time to get lifepreservers or use the boats provided on the steamers for use in emergencies. The sonnd of emitting steam just previous to the sinking of the boat attracted several persons to the river bank,.but tbe boat was so far out in the stream that it was futile to attempt to render her any assistance. Capt. Carvell and his mate escaped by reason of their being at the very top of the boat and receiving warning that she was going down. Ty Rowena Lee was one of the largest ami best steamers on the river. She belonged t® the Lee line and was valued at 958JWM). She carried a fair cargo of freight and lumber.