On board the Patriot the firemen were using oil, lard, butter, and even bacon, with wood, for the purpose of raising the steam to its highest pitch.

The blaze mingled with the black smoke that issued from the pipes of the other boat, which showed that she also was burning something more combustible than wood.
The firemen of both boats, who were slaves, were singing songs such as can only be heard on board a Southern steamer.

The boats now came abreast of each other, and nearer and nearer, until they were locked so that men could pass from one to the other.

The wildest excitement prevailed among the men employed on the steamers, in which the passengers freely participated.
The Patriot now stopped to take in passengers, but still no steam was permitted to escape.

On the starting of the boat again, cold water was forced into the boilers by the feed-pumps, and, as might have been expected, one of the boilers exploded with terrific force, carrying away the boiler-deck and tearing to pieces much of the machinery.