Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-05-25
From the New Orleans True American, May 7.
DREADFUL STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT.
Thirty fires lost-abom ttoenty persons badly


Thirty Hres lost-abous tsoenty persons badly
scalded-others slightly injuredH
The steamboat George Collier, which lay
at the wharf opposite TO the Custom House.
to undergo repairs for some time past, left
this city on Saturday evening last, between
five and SIX O'Clock. for St. Louis When
near the mouth of Red River, about so
miles below Natchez. at half pas. o'clock
a. m. q serious accident occurred, which
proved dreadfully destructive of human life.
The piston rod, which works in the cyen-
der. and by which the engine is propelled,
being attached by key or bolt which pas
ses through the tea head, gave way, at the
rent which received the bolt, and being re-
leved from the immense weight against
which it had to struggle, was driven through
the cylinder head and gave free room for
the steam to escape. The aft doors of the
deckroom were closed. consequently the
effects of the steam were unavoldably upon
the lecum tenentes. The stands were
thrown from under two boilers, but the con-
cussion was not severely experienced on the
boat. The most of those killed and injured
were in the berths. on the deck aft Of the
boilers. So soon as the accident occurred,
many rushed forward unconsciously in the
face of the danger, and inhaling the heated
vapour, instantly persisted. or lived TO lInger
a few hours IN indescribable misery.
| 1t is supposed that between 40 and so per-
sont were scaded. The clerk of the Collier
rates them at "A, consisting of deck passen-
GERS and part of the crew who had retired
or were stationed on watch.
| We crossed over yesterday to see the Col
| lier and examine the extent OF her damage
| No explosion seems to have taken place, but
| the immense force Of the sudden rupture OF
the piston at the key, thereby disenSaS'ng
the whole propeing power from the ma
chinerv by which the boat was moved, i'm
PEELED from the screws the cylinder head,
and deranged the boiler stands, thereby caus-
ing a current of heated vapor to escape,
which was fatal to all who came IN contact
with and were exposed to 1t.
We have scarcely ever seen more heart
rending spectacle than the dreadfully scaided
vet leaking out their few brlet hours OF mad
dening misery, who are yet on board the Col
ler, and where every attention and kindness
is paid them that could be expected, and
which NAV tend to lessen their agony lhere
! are aged mothers, with faces and hands and
necks, and every portion that could come IN
contact with the hot air, dreadtuiiy blistered
and presenting horrid spectacle, calling for
the lost ones whom they will see no more
There were strong, stalwert men, calling
aloud in their misery for their great protector
to relieve them. How noble did the fortitude
of some of the females appear! The fair skin
had been cured and crisped, and the bright
and ustrous eye had been quenched, or the
irritation had closed up the swollen lids anc
shut out the worlds light. What must have
been their agony--the flesh falling from the
red lips-themselves becoming OF sudden
soft and ready to fall and leave the STAGE dl
vine'' horrid spectacle.
We cannot conceive how the accident nigh
nave been anticipated. We do not remem
Der TO have heard of one Of similar kind
The steamer Geo. Washington came down
about an hour and a half after the accident
and lowed her down. Every assistance II
his power was promptly rendered by Capt
Quarter of the Washington, than whom
there is not a moro amiable, attentive, high
minded and honorable officer on the wester
waters. We take pleasure in according t
Capt. Quarter his just deserts.