The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-17
From the NJ Y Tunes
ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE STEAMBOAT
NARRAGANSETT

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The steamboat Narraganseii, Capt. Childs OF
her passage from Providence 10 This city, met will
an unioriunae accident, by which several person
were paoiy scllded This Is the FIRST accident Of th
KIND, winch has ever occurred "a The 6ne boats com
posing the line between this city and Rhode Island
The following particulars we gather from the Off
GERS oiihe steamer, and others bard at the lime
The working machinery is In the centre of IN,
boat, with passage on each side. and tier o
benhs. Owing - temporary obstruction 10 tn,
supply pipe, the condenser became oyerheated, AND
when more water Was lei 10, SO much overflow wa:
produced 10 The reservoir, that small quantity o
hot water was thrown and fell upon The brrlhs i'm
mediafeiy opposite
i Mr. Bigelow Coffin, Of Boston, was SO unfortunate
as 70 accept OF the berth into which mos Of the wa
ter fell, and he was badly ,caded on the side and
leg so that the flesh laid bare from his breast
| his feet.
Benjamin Francis a colored waiter, was asleep al
the time on seiiee directly where The water iel
and was badly scalded In the back.
Mr. f. N. Strauon, Of Baltimore, was in a near
berth, and more slightly injured.
An alarm Immediately spread through The boat,
when was crowded with passengers, and several
gentlemen who lay near the spot, on stepping oui OF
heiT oehs had their feel scalded BY the water upon
the floor, viz:
Mr. Henry Beai, Of Boston, feet blisered badly
I MT. Laihrop Weight, do do do
Mr. ~ Taylor, Of New York, do slightly.
~ .,c'ai physicians were on board, among them
Dr. Francis, of New York, DR.. Moriariy, Of Glou-
cester, Mass, DR.. Foster, Of --, SO that all pos
sible care was taken Of the wounded men imine-
diateiy, and they are this morning comfortable, and
most Of them able TO return to their homes without
much delay.
The following statement of Captain Bunker, one
Eoi me sovernment Steamboat Inspectors, will lex-
plain The cause Of the accident which occurred last
night on board the steamer Narragansett, and will
sumcentlI exonerae the proprietors and officers Of
the boat rpm all cause OF censure for the unfortunate
results
| "pn examination Of the machinery OF the Mar
1 ragsnselthis morning, found from the account
received rom the engineer of the boat "a very
peter peson) thallhe injeciive pipe for the intro
ducpn oI cold water into the condenser, had been
obs'pciet from an accumulation OF sea weed, or
SOM similar cause-a common occurrence in the
navhnol Of the Sound-in consequence Of which,
the sndenser ceasing to condense became violent
| " hl'ed upon discharging which the engineer
then cry properly opened the additional injection
pipe restore the usual action Of the engine. In
az Pbaeiiity during this interval two full dis
chars q steam had passed from the cylinder into
the adenser and when the second injection pipe
was 'ened, the draught created thereby into me
condsef, caused an immediate rush Of the water
thnsScessively heated into the reservoir in such
voue, as 10 produce its immediate overflow with a
iorcp pfecipitate l. through The door BY the side
Of thmaohineIy, and so scad the unfortunate pas
seDRs who were IN its vicinity
fhs unpleasant occurrence can attribute no
defeto the machinery Of the Narraganse,t and no
want skill or conduct in the engineer He pur-
suede tame course which my own experience
won nave prompted me to do in like crcun-
stant should have never apprehended injury
froMcha cause, having often known like occur
renGi'hout any serious consequences, or even
causf alarm.
"ELIHU S. BUNKER"
Nv York, 18th August, 1889"