Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-29
From, the ~ ECominercial .4dUertiser, .4pril ct
THE STEAMBOAT DISASTER.

IHE 81 EAMDOAl DAOtho bis'
We have this morning gathered few addition
al particulars respecting the melancholy steam
boat disaster which has been the subject OF such
lively interest for the last three days. The New
burgh Gazette of Saturday, thus describes the
terrible event = >,
"The steamboat had Just left the wharf. with
about 10 persons on board. when one Oh inc
flues burst with a terrible explosion, and forced
off the false front of her boiler. The immense
volume of dense smoke and steam which ascend
ed to great height-the rushing OF the people on
board to the extrelnities OF the vessel, ana 'he
piercing cries of distress.le doubt to tho . on
shore of the cause of he tremendous crash they
had heard. The alarm Immediately spread to all
points of the village, and The surrounding
wharver were soon covered with people. Inc
Fterror and curiosity naturally excited by such an
event. readily gave way 10 those strong feelings
of benevoience and humanity which prompts
man to alleviate the suferngs ofhis fellow beings.
Boats were Immediately put off to rescue those
who in the moment of despair had thrown them
selves into the river. The Steamboat was haul
ed to the dock and such of the passengers as were
uniniured and those who were in condition to
be removed, were conveyed to the hotels, where
preparations had been made for their reception,
and where they received every attention which
their situation demanded. All the physicians OF
tie village volunteered their services. and every
person seemed anxious to do something to aileyl-
ate the load of suffering and misery"
Thirteen persons were badly scalded, three OF
whom died on the night of The accident, viz -
Mr.. Roc, of Kingston, passenger; David Fo-
liant, engineer, and James Cassidy, waiter
Three others died on Friday, viz: Thomas Di-
mond; cook; William Cole, waiter, and Peleg
Moore, fireman. Robert Crandal fireman,
and Thomas Greenough, machinist, of Mattewan,
passenger, died on Friday night. The name
of Mr.. Rose, ship-sarpenter, OF tins city, Is
also returned among the dead--making deaths
in all, at the date of our last advices. In addi-
ton to these, Aaron -, and William Moore,
two of the hands and three passengers, Messrs
Quick. Seaman, and Mann, were at the Orange
Hotel, and badly scalded. Several others were
scalded,but not dangerously. The Albany Even
ing Journal, of Saturday, states that three of the
bodies, viz:-James Cassidy of Albany, waiter;
Peleg Moore of Troy, fireman; and Thomas Di-
mond of Troy. cook, "a black, had been brought
to Albany, and the two latter had been convey
ed to Troy for burial The following letter adj
dressed by Captain Ford to the Captain of the
North America, on the occasion of sending the
remains of portion of his deceased crew to
Troy for interment:-
"Dear &r-In the plenitude ofmv affections,
have to beg of you to take on board your boat.
these three boxes, containing the remains of three
of my people, that l wish to send home to their
friends for burial. | send young man with them
who will take the entire charge. Five of our crew
have died of their burns, and one passenger
One more of the crew, fireman, think cannot
recover"
A gentleman who was present at the time of
the accident, informs the editor of the Albany
Argus, " that he was standing at the extreme part
of the bow; that he observed an increased smoke
and vapour passing out of the pipe, but heard no
explosion, and that the cries and groans of the
persons scalded as they rushed upon deck, or
were brought up, was the first intimation of the
accident"
An inquest was held on Saturday morning at
Newburg over the bodies of the persons who had
died frominjuries received from the explosion.
Verdict. ''that they came to their death bv the
bursting of the boiler of the Chief JUSTICE Mars
shall, in consequence OF excess of steam al the
time.'' .
The boat was lowed down to this city yester-
day, and taken round to the Dry Dock for repairs
From the best information we have been able
to obtain, we are inclined to think that Capt Ford
Has Deen LOO hdstliy anu lreely CenSured Tor THIS
grievous catastrophe. 1t is true that the entire
ship is under the command of the captain; but it
is equally true that the engineer is the response
bic man, as it regards the operation and care of
the machinery of the boat And the engineers
are selected not by the captains of the boats but
by the oDners-too often: we fear, not because
of their fitness for the station, but for the small
amount of wages they will take for their servi-
ces.
Whenever an accident of this painful descrip-
ton occurs, it is sure to be followed BY variety
OF wise prescriptions and ADJUSTMENTS, to guard
against them in future. But hitherto every sug-
gestion has alike proved Intellectual We, too,
have suggestion to make, which we hope will
arrest the attention of the public. The great
source Of. danger. in our apprehension, is, the To-
norance & unskilfulness Of engineers. "Steam."
we quote the American of Saturday." when
applied by those who understand its nature and
agency, is safer and more manageable power,
than any other, either animal or mechanical; and
it is, therefore, just and right, that those who
undertake to use it for public purposes should be