Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-27
From. the " Y. Commercial Of Friday, .Apra "a.
EXPLOSION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE
MARSHALL.

Justice Marshall, Captain Ford, on her way from
Troy to this city, exploded last evening, which
accident the lives of several passengers were
lost, some more were dangerously scalded, and
many more slightly. AS usual on such OCCASIONS
the fiying reports prove to have been much eXag-
merated, although we have found 1t impossible TO
collect materials for full and correct account,
or indeed such an one as will satisfy the inquiries
of those who had friends OH board. 1t appears
that the explosion took place while the boat was
Getting under way from the dock at Newburgh,
and. in fact. but a moment after aletting of the
steam. 1t was Just in the edge of twilight, and
the Messengers had but a short time previously
left the tea-table in the dining cabin. This was
most providential for, as the force of the explo-
sion was in that direction, had the passengers re-
manned in the cabin, there would have been an
immense destruction of life. 1t is believed that
seventeen persons were more or less Injured-se-
ven or eight very seriously, and some OF them
mortalIy. But such was the confusion and alarm
such rushing on shore. and throwing OF them
selves overheard in the fright and agony OF the
moment-that it is impossible to predicate 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 i'm the last agones of death. when our ntOr-
mant left. Another passenger. Mr.. Burnett,
was very severely scalded; and ship carpenter
of this city, name not recOlected, was not expect
ed to survive until morning. The engineer, MIR.
volant, and five of the crew, were badly scald-
ed. and four slightly. 1t was believed that Sc
veral others would not live. The steamboat De
Witt Clinton, Captain sherman, came along "a
a ,ol- ..NT
the passengers of the Marshall on bOard-but
their statements are so confused and conflicting
that we can only reduce them to a general ac-
count, making it as consistent as possible. One
gentleman informed US, that lady was drowned
and two or three others slightly scalded. An
other doubts the accuracy of this statement
Some represents many passengers to have jump
cd overheard, from the deck, or by dashmg out
through the windows. But one of the passengers
assures us that only two threw themselves into
the water, and these were so near the dock that
they were saved. He saws twas vet 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 over
board from the bow. These were picked up safe
ly. One lady. in dashing out window. to let
In the cold air, had her hands severely cut by the
glass.
The Marshal had 173 passengers when she
left Albany. When she touched at Newburgh
she had about 90 on board, and so more came
on board there One of these was in the act OF
paving his passage at the Captains Office at the
moment of the explosion. lie heard the report,
and the sharp whizzing rush of the steam. and
ONLY had confused Renaissance afterwards y
finding himself scrambling for safety in the
wild disorder which followed. Recolectlng him
self, however, he thought of what had taken place.
and Immediately attempted to jump on the dock
not effectins this, he sprang into the small boat,
which was suspended by the davits.
A passenger standing in the forward cabin,
as the steam followed the report with terrible fu-
nv, had sufficient presence Of mind to spring IN
to 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 of
Newburgh, 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 cause Of this disaster we have no GER
tain information. 1t is presumed to have aris-
en- from too great an exhaustion of water in the
boilers-owing it is conjectured to the incOmpe-
tence 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 a reduced
salary. 1t is proper to mention. also that in order
to accelerate the speed Of the boat, new boiler
had lately been put in, below, and it was that
which burst. 1t was, however, built of copper.
in a very substantial manner. 1t was the end of
the boiler, towards the forward cabin which blew
of, and the greatest damage was done to the boat
in that direction. The boat was run ashore, in
sinking condition.
When it is considered for how long time, land
in what numbers, line steamboats, have been ply
inc between Albany and this city, it is rather to
be wondered at how few accidents have occurred.
We recollect but one, arising from the explo-
SION of steam, which happened to the Constitu-
ton in 1895, BY which, if we recolect right, one
or two lives were lost The old steamboat Frank
lin met with similar misfortune near Sing Sing,
by which one life was lost: but she was not run
ming regularly on any line. Such melancholy