Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-27
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.

the following particulars Of ole OF the
most serious occurrences that has Ia
ken place for many years:
On Saturday evening, about half
past seven o'clock, as the steam boat
lETNA, capt. Robinson, was on
the way to New York from Wash.
ingten, y. ]. with the passengers
from Philadelphia by what IS called
the "CitizenS' Line" and number
of way passengers, when IN sight CT,
and about 6 miles from the city, burs
ted both of her boilers. The eXplo
sion, was so violent that almost every
thing in the cabins was demolished,
the deck torn 10 pieces, and the yes
sci rendereda complete svreck. But
what reders this occurrence most dis
tressiug, aud has cast gloom over the
city, is the destruction of the lives OF
persons on board, to the number, as
near as we can ascertain, OF irom Ill
teen to wenty.
There were on board at this time.
the passengers in the citizens Coach
Line from Philadelphia, and others
taken Oh board at E!izabethtown
Point, making ia all, including The
4Eiha's crew, about thirty souls A
far as we have been able to ascertain
their fate, the following is believed to
be correct:
Lost in the cabin by the explosion,
the wife of MIR. job Furnan, her SIS
ter. daughter of Mr. Waters Fur
man, and Mrs Meseroie, daughter of
Mr. job Furman, all of one family,
who had been to EHGabeth:own tie at
tend the funeral of a near relative. A
young lad abont Is years OF age, be
longing to the same fanny, was, at
the time of the explosion, sleeping on
covering ofthe boiler, was thrown id.
TO the air, and fell into the vacuum caus
ed by the removal ofthe machinery, and
received no injury!
A female child about years OF age,
asleep III the after cabin, supposed to
be Mrs. Doughcrty's aud Miss
Bates, of New York, also persisted
Two passengers jumped from the
cabin window, one of whom was
drowned The balkeeper, French
man, named Victor Crasse, sprang
overheard TO the relief of the other,
whom he sustained till boat came
10 his relief, but persisted himself in
the attempt, and sunk as the boat was
taking up the man he had saved.
Mr. Charles HolIlngshead, of
Princeton, New Jersey, who was in
the forward cabin, Jumped overheard
through window, was saved by
Selling n bench that was thrown
over, and afterwards picked up by
the Etna's boat
After the boat had been lowed up,
the body OF stout man was found co
vered with pieces of the wreck, linen
was marked M. =.
The following persons were sent to
the Hospital, two OF whom are since
dead
John Winter and John Gillons,
both of Philadelphia; Alexander
Cromwell, of Jamaica; Nancy Dough
erty. of Auburn; Litty Taylor, Ct
New York; Joseph Stevens, of Ire
land; Michael Echfelt, of Pbiladel
phia; Thomas Brady or Braden, of
Wilmington, De'awae; and MIS-.
Ann Thomas, of Philadelphia, all
but two CT whom belonged to the
boat.
It is believed that FIVE others will
not survive; but that Mr.. Braden and
Mr. Ecktelt, stated to have been
drowned, will recover.
Mr. John Pearce, and Mr.. Ryers,
both of Philadelphia, escaped without
injury, being on deck near the bow
Jonathan Case, OF Schenectady,
Benedict Arnold, of Amsterdam, n.
Y; Mr.. Heacock and lady also a.
mong those saved.
When his awful occurrence took
place, the steam boat United States
was about five miles astcrn, and com
ing up with the Etna, took her in tow
and left her in Whitehall ship Cap.
tain Robinson, who was injured, did
all that ii was possible for man to do,
to save those uninjared, and to afford
assistance to the wounded His con
duct is spoken ofin the highest terms
of praise. The Elna was under
an easier pressure of steam than
usual making. as we are informed.