midnight
Although torn from its position , and shattered by the shock , it had proved fatal to but a few of its occupants , who had been crushed by falling timbers . The hull of the boat was not injured by the explosion , but before those who had escaped a sudden death could recover their disordered faculties , the flames began to ascend from the wreck of the cabin , which had been precipitated upon the furnaces . The scene surpassed description . The groans of the wounded and scalded , the shrieks of those who were on the boat , expecting every moment to be carried down in her , mingled in wild confusion on the midnight air . Fortunately the passengers were mostly soldiers , accustomed to scenes of horror , who immediately turned their attention to the extinguishing of the flames . The Flatfoot , No. 3 , approached within a short distance of the wreck , and a line was passed from her to the bow of the Chalmetta . Her passengers and crew were humanely assisting in rescuing those who had jumped or been thrown overboard in the disaster .