Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-04-21

which has ever taken place on the waters
Of the Chesapeake. The new and splen-
did steamboat MEDoRA, built for the line
between this city and Norfolk, was yes.
iterday rendered a wreck by the explosion
of her steam boiler, attended by fearful
destruction Of human life.
The Medora was just completed, and
preparatory to being turned out from the
hands Of the machinists, a number Of per-
sons were invited to go in her, on an ex-
perimental trip. The day being pleasant,
il is supposed that probably one hundred
or more, were on board, including some
of the Directors Of the Steam Boat Com.
pany and their friends, and number Of
the hands engaged in finishing the vessil
putting IN the machinery, &c, and other
wise connected with the construction or
sailing Of the boat.
Soon after three O'Clock, P. NJ. the boat
Yves about to start from the wharf of the
engine builder, Mr.. John Watchman, on
the south side Of the basin, on the propos-
ed trip. A gentleman who was on board
informs US that the engine had only made
the second revolution, in order to back
+ the Medora from the wharf, when the
boiler exploded with loud noise, carry
ing upwards considerable portion ofthe
upper deck and those upon it, and blow
ing the smoke stacks high into the air.
The main force of the explosion was al.
most towards the head Of the boat, and
the portions of the boat around the boiler
were torn to peices. The boiler ITSELF an
immense one of iron, was thrown cross
wise Of the deck.
4 The boat was instantly enveloped in
cloud Of scalding steam, which was inhal-
ed by some with fatal consequences,
while others suffered externally in their
persons from lis effects. Our informant
was in the after part Of the boat, where
the steam had no injurious effect. He
states that several persons jumped over
board, and that one Of them was drown
ed. The boat immediately settled in the
water until her hull rested on the the bot
tom Of the river.
In the centre and forward part Of the
boat there was fearful destruction ofliie
and limb. Some OF those on board were
blown high in the air and fell on shore,
in the water, and on boats lying near by.
Others were crushed with The splntering
timbers others scaIdyd with the steam !;
while those below the decks, not having
time to escape, were either suffocatcd by
the steam or drowned when the boat
sunk.
When we reached the scene Of desola-
ton we found large number Of persons,
among whom were several physicians, bu-
silly engaged in endeavoripg to assist the
injured, and carrying away those who
were dead or dying. So great was the
confusion that prevailed, and so little was
known as to tie number and names Of the
persons on board, that no complete &C
count could be obtained. There are no
doubt some who were on board whose loss
will only be known by their not return
ing 10 their homes.
Captain Sutton, who had command OF
the boat, was standing over the boiler
when it exploded. He was much injured
in the head, and it was very doubtful yes
terdaY whether he would recover.
John c. Moale, Esq. the agent of the
steamboat line, was on board with his two
sons. MIR. Moale had his right foot dis
located, and was injured in the side and
back. Soon after he was taken home, he
expired.
Mr.. Moale's eldest son William, fine
lad about IA years Of age, was killed al
most instantly. His second son, who was
also on board, was dangerously injured.
From The same Paper of Saturday
THE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION
The truly painful duty is imposed upon
us of adding to the list of the deaths &C.
casicned by the fearful explosion on board
the Medora on Thursday, the nam0s of
several Of the sufferers who have since
expired from the injuries then received,
aud Of those who were missing and whose
b dies haze been recovered from the
wreck. The most melancholy occur
renee, by which so many human beings
in the full enjoymen, of health and vgor
have been suddenly cut off, has not only
visited with grief and mourning the i'm.
mediate relations and friends Of the de-
ceased, but has cast deep gloom over
the whole city.
LIST OF THE DEAD.
The following is complete list Of the
persons who were killed by the explosion,
or have since died from its effects, as far
as ascertained up to nine o'clock last
night. The number Of the dead, thus
far, is twenty three, The last six in the
list were those who were taken out of the
water 10 the course Of VI steiday. From
the condition of some Of the sufferers, it
is feared that others will be added to il
John C. Moale, William Moale, Joseph
Lecompte, Capt. John Vickers, Edmund
Young, Benjamin French, John Boon,
John Burns, Andrew F. Henderson, Rich.
ard Linthicum, Robert Doyle, John Sped
dy, George Endly, Thomas Eldrioge,
John Harper, John Haley, John Boston,
William Lewis, George Geddes, S. w.
Hackney, NJ. D., james w. LAYERS, Jas.
Mitchell and John Kemp.
From the Baltimore Patriot Of Saturday
MORE OF THE STEAMBOAT DISASTER.
After our edition Of yesterday went to
press, the firing of cannons was kept up
for some time, and the workmen and cit
liens generally continued clearing away
the wreck, aud diligently searching for