The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-06-01
AN APPALLING STEAM BOAT ACCI-
DENT

DENT.
F0rtg-FiUe Persons killed or poundcd.
Slips by Express Mail, from the office
of the n. Orleans Bulletin, Bee, Louisiana
an and True American, furnish us with the
details of one of the most appalling steam
boat disasters that ever occurred upon our
waters. One account mentions the loss Of
thrty-lives, besides twenty persons scalded.
We proceed to give all the painful particu-
lars. The steamboat George Collier,
which lay at the wharf opposite the Gus
tom House, New Orleans; left that city on
the fifth inst, between and o'clock, for
st. Louis. When near the mouth of Red
River, about 80 miles below Natchez, and
at half past l o'clock in the morning, a
Grghtful accident occurred which proved
dreadfully destructive OF human life.
The piston rod, which works in the CYL
inder, 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-
lieved from the immense weight against
which 1t had to struggle, was driven through
the cylinder head, and gave free room for
the steam TO escape. The aft doors of the
deck room were closed, consequently the
effects of the steam were unavoidable upon
the [oCltm tenenteS.-The stands were
thrown from under two boilers, but the
concussion was not severely experienced
on the boat The most of those killed and
injured were in the berths, on the deck aft
the boilers. So soon as the accident oc-
Cured, many rushed forward unconsciously
in the face of the danger, and exhalng the
heated vapour; instantly persisted, or lived
to inger few hours in indescrlbable mis-
cry.
1t is supposed that between 40 and so
persons were scalded. The Clerk Of the
Collier rates them at A, consisting of deck
passengers, and part of the crew who had
retired or were stationed on watch.
The editors of the New Orleans Ameri-
can say.
We visited the Collier, in order to exam
inc the extent other damage. No'explosion
seems to have taken place but the immease
force Of the sudden rupture of the piston
at the key, thereby disengaging the whole
propelling power from the machinery by
which the boat was moved, impelIed from
the screws the cylinder head, ald deranged
the boiler staDs, thereby causing current
of heated vapor to escape, which was fatal
to all who came in contact with and were
exposed TO it.
We have scarcely ever seen a more heart
rending spectacle /; the dreadfully scalded,
yet eking out their few brief hours of mad
dening misery, who are yet on board the
Collier; all kindness is paid them that could
be expected and which may tend to lessen
their agony. There are aged mothers,
with faces and hands and necks, and every
portion that could come in contact with the
hot air, dreadlully blistered and presenting
horrid spectacle, calling for their lost ones
whom they will see no more and forever.
There were strong; stalwart men, calling a.
loud 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 curled and crisped, a. the
bright and lustrous eye had been quenched;
or the irritation had closed up the swollen
lids and shut out the worlds light. What
must have been their agony-the flesh fall
ing from the red lips--themseves becom-
ing OF sudden soft and ready TO fall and
leave the face divine" horrid spectacle.
We cannot conceive how the accident
might have been anticipated. We do not
remember to have heard of one of similar
kind. The Steamer George Washington
came down about an hour and a half after
the accident, & towed her down. Every
thing in his power was promptly rendered
by Capt Quarter of the Washington than
whom there is not more amiable attentive,
high minded and honorable officer on the
western waters. We take pleasure in ac-
cordinS to Capt. Quarter, bis just deserts.