An item reported that the American transport General Lyon on 31 March off Cape Hatteras was destroyed by fire. Of the more as 600 soldiers, women and children on board were just 29 survivors.(1)
Note
1. For more details see the websites http://genealogytrails.com/ill/jefferson/military/civil/generallyon.html which also mentioned that during the American civil war she served as a blockade runner and http://www.lib.niu.edu/1994/ihy940238.html
Harper’s new monthly magazine, volume 30, p. supplied also more details with this disaster. This magazine is digital available via Googlebooks. “On the 31st of March the steam transport General Lyon, from Wilmington for Fortress Monroe, having on board between five and six hundred persons, including a number of soldiers and mule and female Southern refugees, caught fire while off Cape Hatteras, and was entirely consumed. The flames were ignited by a light coming in contact with a kerosene barrel, and in a very short time the whole vessel was enveloped. The General Sedgwick and a schooner were both near the General Lyon while she was burning; but notwithstanding every effort was made to give succor, very few of the unfortunate passengers could be rescued, owing to the high wind and the heavy sea. Out of the entire number only thirty-five or forty are so far known to have been saved.”
Note
1. For more details see the websites http://genealogytrails.com/ill/jefferson/military/civil/generallyon.html which also mentioned that during the American civil war she served as a blockade runner and http://www.lib.niu.edu/1994/ihy940238.html
Harper’s new monthly magazine, volume 30, p. supplied also more details with this disaster. This magazine is digital available via Googlebooks. “On the 31st of March the steam transport General Lyon, from Wilmington for Fortress Monroe, having on board between five and six hundred persons, including a number of soldiers and mule and female Southern refugees, caught fire while off Cape Hatteras, and was entirely consumed. The flames were ignited by a light coming in contact with a kerosene barrel, and in a very short time the whole vessel was enveloped. The General Sedgwick and a schooner were both near the General Lyon while she was burning; but notwithstanding every effort was made to give succor, very few of the unfortunate passengers could be rescued, owing to the high wind and the heavy sea. Out of the entire number only thirty-five or forty are so far known to have been saved.”
