The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-04
From the Mobile Journal.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.

The steamboat Express, Capt. Mcguire, which
left here on Saturday evening last, when within
five miles of St. Stephens, on Sunday, about p
NJ, burst her boilers, killing and wounding fourteen
persons. barge was in tow alongside at the
time, into which, as we learn, one of the boilers
were blown, wounding one if not more ofhe hands.
The other boiler, it is said, was blown overheard.
The following are the names of the killed and
wounded, as nearly correct as can yet be ascer-
tanned.
KILLED,
Moses Nelherton, William Johnson,
William Bosworh, John Langdon,
John, Il French boy, native of Louisiana.
WOUNDED.
John C. Mcguire, (Capaim badly
Edward Anderson, (Nlate) do.
James sewanes, ed Enginecr) doubtful
William NJ. Bigdcn, ed PiloD do.
Luke Mcguire, (passenger) do.
Benjamin Owens, (barge handy do
Deck hand, name unknown, badly.
Edward R. Weaver, do.
Steward, (black many doubtful.
Since the above was written we have been obi
gingly furnished with the following extract of
letter written by gentleman who left here in the
steamboat Odd Fellow, shortly after the Express.
1t will be seen the distressing intelligence is fully
confirmed.
ST. STEVENS, Sunday night,
l-2 past 10 o'cock.
1t is with feelings of pain and regret that re-
cord one of the most melancholy and horrible
scenes that has ever fallen to my lot to witness
About hall-past three this evening, the steamboat
Express burst her boilers, about ten miles below
this place. She had stopped at little place called
Jackson, to repair some of her machinery, and as
soon ms they saw our boat coming up, they COM
menced firing up, evidently with the intention of
passing us. | was standing at the stern Of the
boat, leaning against the flag staff, and watching
the movements of the crazy old craft, when sud-
denly saw the steam issue forth from the head of
the boilers, and in second afterwards, the most
tremendous report followed that ever heard
For moment nothing could be seen but the fias-
mcnts of the boat flying in every direction-and
indeed so near was she to our boat, that was ap-
prchensive we should receive some injury from the
falling pieces. The scene that followed was truly
awful. Some of the poor creatures were blown
some distance into the river, and their pitcous
shrieks for help, as they commended with the cur
rent, was enough to overcome heart of sterner
stuff than mine.
We Immediately sent our small boat to save
hose in the river from drowning, and backed the
Odd Fellow to the wreck to save the remainder of
The crew and passengers, together with what freight
&c, was left on her.
Oh, such sceneto see so many of the poor
creatures burnt and scalded so badly, tina, it was
impossible to tell whether they were human beings
VI not. Several were scalded so badly that they |
we're raw from head to foot Six or seven were
Instantly killed, and the same number so seriously
INJURED that believe some of them cannot possibly
survive the night. ! have acted as surgeon, nurse
md physician, until within few moments ago,
when we succeeded in conveying them up to town,
where left them in the care of more experienced
practitioner.