Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-09-17

demands, however, | will, if elected, cheerfully.
zealously, and fearlessly support. with my best
energies and talents
New YoRX, September Is.
Melmchoiy Steamboat .iccidea.-On Satur-
day afternoon last. another unfortunate steamer,
plosion took place on board the steamboat United
States, which was accompanied by the melancholy
destruction OF human life.
At4 O'Clock, the United States started for
New Haven from the foot Of Maiden Lane, in
company with the Victory and Washington
The latter boats soon passed the United States,
the speed of both boats being much faster than
that of the United States. In going up the iIyer,
Capt. Beecher gave orders to the Engineer 10 &c
through the north passage so as to pass Huri Gate
before ebb tide had made. The Victory and the
Washington went up on the west side OF Black
wells Island When the United States had
reached the northeast end of the Island the acct
dent occurred. being about half an hour alter o.
clock. A great noise took place and an alarm
was given throughout the boat. The water and
the steam burst forth accompanied with cinders.
pieces of brick iron, sc. IN the direction towards
the bow Of the boat
The Engineer had but two minutes before eX
amined the water cocks and tired the guage.-
Captain Beecher also had, about halt a minute
before the explosion, tried the guage, and
found 12i inches of steam upon the boat. At the
same time he tried the upper water cocks and
found that the boiler was sufficiently supplied
with water. At the moment OF the explosion
the captain was in his Office taking the fare from
the passengers. The steam and water however,
reached him. Both his feet were slightly scald-
ed, and his left eye received blow. A number
of persons were scaided. and in the alarm seye.
raj jumped overheard. 1t is difficult 10 find ex.
actly how many. Four of the scalded have since
tlied-Benjamin Haskell. Charles Bowes, Chas.
Sisby, and Ephram WoOster.-Ihe latter wa.
picked up in the water and carried to the Island
thence brought down to the Aims House. where
the Coroner's jury sat upon him yesterday, and
found verdict g that he came to his death BY
being scalded in consequence Of the bursting VI
the boiler Of the steam boat United States. -
He was born in Connecticut, and was 90 years
old. His corpse had terrific appearance, being
sweled to an enormous size. Watson Wells
now OH the Island. aad sailor named Harvey
Shelly, now in the Hospital, were also badly in.
jured but they both are expected to recover
The latter had just returned from sea and was go
ing up to Connecticut To see his friends. He had
just goue into the fire room before the explO-
sion, and was scaded from his knees downwards.
There were thirty-two passengers on board
when the boat left The wharf. but no females, and
when the explosion took place several OF them
Jumped overheard, but they were SO far as We
Can learn, saved, except Mr.. Hiram Clarke, mer-
chant, Of New Haven, and Alfred Mason, CO.
Toured man. porter, who jumped overheard and
was drowned. Mr. c. was standing aft on the
upper deck at the time, and sprans into the wa
ter; being unable To swim, he was drowned be-
G h. -
wallet was picked up containing his money and
papers.
After the explosion had expanded itself. the
and pick up those who had fallen or jumpedover-
board. Mr.. Woodruff, Of Blackweli's Island,
afforded the sufferers much aid. and Captain
Beecher is grateful for his prompt assistance
MIR. W.. got out all his boats. helped to pick
up the passengers, and took them to Ills house
The Citizen Steamboat, Captain Brooks. which
at that time was returning to tows took the Unit
ed States in tow, and brought her to wharf near
CorIaers Hook, where she now lies.
The United States was going at her usual
speed, with l2i inches of steam. She could car
nv IS or II inches and the boiler is so fixed that
night last, we learn she carried IA in. The rup-
ture took place in the lower part Of the main fue
about 10 feet back of the bridge we'll 1t closed I'D
the flue nearly altogether. The rent is what has
been heretofore called collapse Of the flue' The
part torn up had been repaired about week since
There were four sheets of iron put into the
flue. The new sheets were torn away, but the
rivets remained in the old sheets. There were
no braces between the fiue and the outer she'll,
through the whole length of the bottom of the
boiler. The boiler is of iron-appears firm and
of cylindrical form-about % feet
in length, by feet diameter. with what are de-
kidney fues,' forming one large
cylindrical and one small return hue. Ii has
been in use 9 years, and Captain Beecher him
SELF has been ID years in the in the steamboat
line, without ever meeting with any accident be.
lore. The engine is of the low pressure kind.