FATAL ACCIDENT.

A letter received at Nashville, from Col. James Littler, dated Cumberland River, eight miles below Eddyville, 17th April, states, that one of the boilers of the steam boat, plying on that river, has bursted -- that the damage was immense -- that one side of the upper works had been carried away -- that a MRS. STEVENS was killed -- that MRS. DAVIS, MISSES McCONNEL and BAILEY (all of Nashville) were scalded in such a manner, that their lives were despaired of. It seems that the explosion carried away all one side of the cabin and upper works. The bearer of the letter was thrown overboard, and saved himself by clinging to the yawl -- with the boat he rescued Col. LITTLER, who was also thrown overboard and nearly drowned.

"MRS. DAVIS (the widow of captain DAVIS, some time ago killed by the Indians on the Mississippi,) and MISS SALLY McCONNELL, together with others to the number of 7 or 8, had died of their wounds before his departure. MR. BALILEY, he has little hopes is yet alive. In addition a MR. DAWSON, of near the mouth of Harpeth, was scalded to death in his birth; a MR. WHITESIDE of N.C. and MR. RENSHAW, of Wilson county, who are missing, supposed to have been blown overboard and drowned. The bearer of this unpleasant intelligence is a Mr. Felts, a man of respectability. We sincerely sympathize with the surviving friends of those who were lost. We learn that the unfortunate accident happened in consequence of a defect in one of her boilers. Such must have been the case, as the commander of the ROBERTSON has the reputation of being one of the most skillful officers on the river, having had great experience, and hitherto, for a great length of time, fortunate. A similar accident happened on board the Buffalo, some years ago, when seventeen lives were lost."
Balt. Pat.

The Republican Compiler Gettysburg Pennsylvania 1821-05-23
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!