Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-30

sceAueo. tle was passing rae boiler al the mo-
ment of the explosion, and his face is badly scaded
He was in the act Of insI ration, at the moment,
and IT Is feared that the lungs are injured. DR..
Spring remains with Mr. l.. and will arrive in the
Marlborough tomorrow morning, by which boat
the Oliver Ellsworth is to be towed to this CITY.
MIR. Penfeld, the Engineer. who belongs in
this city, was badly scalded. The steward Of the
boat is also among the scaljed, both of whom
have arrived in the Long Branch, which was
sent for from New Loodon, to bring the passen
gers on.
Messrs. Erastus Goodwin, of Hartford, Asaher
Hinckley, of do; and Stephen b. Gardiner, of
Weathersheld, were all considerably scalded, and
were taken back TO Hartford, in the NJ Donougb
One O'Clock. r. M-We have this moment
received. saysthe Evening Post, the following let.
ter from MIR. Silas +. Burrows, giving q detail of
most aiiiciing accident, which happened 10 the
passengers on board the steam boat Oliver Ellis.
worth, last Thursday evening, by the busting OF
her boiler
Steam Boat Long Branch,
March 22d, 1927.
GENTLEMEN 1t is with the deepest regret
that communicate to you the follow ing meian.
choly disasiers:-
Va Thursday evening last, at O'Clock the
steam boat Oliver Ellsworth, Capt. Havens, with
about Az passengers. passed the light house at
Saybrook, on her passage to New York, with
heavy sea and wind from the south. wes,; and Is
minutes before 3, with the engine in tull motion,
the boiler burst, by collapsing the main fiue and
bursting out the furnace head.
was sitting in the after cabin with 10 or Is
others, among them, the Rev. Mr.. Spring of your
city, when the awful sound was heard, aud look
ing towards the boiler, the steam and smoke came
curling on the floor which too well told the tale
oil sorrow. With precipitation we gained the
stern OF the boat, and raised the cabin windows
10 which we attribute our preservation. Confined
in this situation without any chance of gettine on
deck, when we heard the cries that the boat WAS on
hre and sinking, there were some whose presence
OF mind and foriiude did nol forsake them, and
who succeeded in alaying the agitations OF those
who anticipated certain death. Among this num-
Der Or. Spring stood conspicuous and was a real
blessing to the boats company. He acted the part
OF the good Samaritan, pouring oil on the wounds
and giving consolation TO the agonies of the suf,
iering. believe there were ten in all scalded.
anu three dang erously One of the firemen died
the next morning, and was inferred at Sayb, ook.
loo much praise cannot be given TO Captain
Havens Tor his calm, deliberate and arduous exer
tons, at a moment that presented a picture too
sad for recital.
The sea was heavy, the boat after the accident
rolled very deep, and shut up as we were in the
cabin below, II was cheering TO hear the captain g
voice, giving the most positive orders to those
passengers who the point of throwing
themselves overheard, or lowering away the boats.
he spoke In such manner as TO arm the weakest
with courage, and to make himself more beloved
and respected by all.
Some gentlemen Immediately ON the accidents
happening, seized heir wives in their arms. and
placed them in the boats, and attempted to lower
them down, which Capt. Havens prevented, and
thereby saved many lives.
Inc engineer was at his station, and the cause
oil Inc accident cannot be ascertained. The boiler
was non.
proceeded to New London for medical all
aud WIN the steam boat Long Branch, Captain
Nather, stopped al the river and took on board %
passengers, who have arrived in this city. Dr.
Spring remained with Mr. Lock~ ood who il was
thought not expedient to remove from the Els
worth. The boat will probably be tow ed down
oy 'he M Do"oush, Captain Bebee, to morrow
morning. Yours, SC. with esteem.
SILAS T. BIJRROWS