Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-04-28
From the Commercial Advertiser.
New YoRK, April %.
STEAM BOAT EXPLOSION

Ford, on her way from Troy to.this city
exploded last evening, by which acci-
dent the lives of several passengers
were lost, some more were dangerously
scalded, and many more slightly. AS
usual on such occasions, the flying re-.
ports prove to have been much exagger-
ated, although we have found it impOssi-
BILE to collect materials for full and cor
rect account, or indeed such an one as
will satisfy the inquiries ofthose who had
friends on board. 1t appears that the ex-
plosion took place while the boat was
getting under way from the dock at
Newburgh, and, in fact, but moment
after letting off the steam. 1t was just in
the edge of twilight, and the passen-
gers had but short time previously left
the tea-table in the dining cabin. This
was most providential for, as the force
Of the explosion was in that direction,
had the passengers remained in the cab
i'm, there would have been an immense
destruction Of life. 1t is believed that
seventeen persons were more or less i'll
jured-seven or eight very seriously, and
some Of them mOrtally. But such was
the confusion and alarm-such a rushing
on shore, and throwing themselves over
board in the fright and agony of the mo-
ment-that it is impossible to predict
with accuracy the extent of the injury,
or the loss of life. 1t is believed that
but few of the passengers were badly
scalded. One, who was lying in his
birth at the time, was struck by dash
of boiling water, and terribly scalded.-|
He was supposed to be in the last agonies
Of death, when our informant left. A
mother passenger, Mr.. Burnett, was very
severely scalded and ship carpenter
of this city, name not recollected, was
not expected to live until morning. The
engineer, Mr.. Volant, and five of the
crew were badly scaldcd, and four
slightly 1t was believed several others
would not live. The steam boat De
Witt Clinton, capt. Sherman, came along
about o'clock at night, and took many
of the passengers of the Marshall on
bOard-but their statements arc so con-
fused and conflicting that we can only
reduce them to general account making
it consistent as possible. One gentle
men informed us, that lady was drown
cd-and two or three others slightly
scalded. Another doubts the accuracy
Ofthis statement. Some represent many
passengers to have jumped overheard;
from the deck, or by dashing out through
the windows. But one ofthc passengers
assures that only two threw themselves
into the water, and those were so near
the dock that they were saved. lie says
it was yet so light that all who jumped
overheard were seen. One lady jumped
through the after cabin window, and ac-
cording to one statement, one or two
sprung overheard from the bow. These
were picked up safely. One lady in
dashing out window, to let in the cold
air, had her hands severely cut by the
glass.
The Marshall had 173 passengers
when she left Albany. When she touch
ed at Newburgh she had about 80 on
board, and 80 more came on board there.
One ofthese was in the act of paying his
passage ut the captains office, at the
moment of explosion. He heard the
report, and the sharp whizzing rush of
the steam, and only had a confused rem
iniscence afterwards of finding himself
scrambling for safety in the wild disor-
der which followed. Recollectng him
self, however, he thought of what had
taken place, and Immediately attempted
to Jump on the deck-nOt efiecting this,
he sprang into the small boat, which was
suspended by the davits.
A passenger in the forward cabin, as
the steam followed the report with terri
BILE fury, had sufficient presence of mind
to spring into an upper birth, and wrap
himself close with blanket, until he
could get to the window. He suffered
much from the intensity of the heat
Every attention that humanity could
dictate, was bestowed upon the sufferers,
by the people OfNewburgh, and likewise
by the captain of the Marshall. Several
hats and other articles of dress were
found in the river but their owners
were probably saved.
OF the causes Of this disaster, we have
no certain information. 1t is presumed
TO have arisen from too great an exhaust
ion Of water in the boilers-owing, it is
conjectured, to the incompetence of the
engineer. The old engineer, who has
had charge of the engine for several
years, was dismissed few days since,
and new one engaged who offered his
services at reduced salary. II is proper
to mention also that in order to accele-
rate the speed of the boat, a new boiler
had lately been put in, below, and it was
that which burst. 1t was, however, built
of copper, i'm very substantial manner.
II was the end of the boiler towards the