Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-21
From the Baltimore Americas.
AWFUL STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION.
FEARFUL DESTRUCTION OF LIVES.

AWFUL STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION.
FEARFUL DESTRUCTION OF LIVES
1t is our melancholy duty to record the
most fearful and fatal Steamboat explo-
sion which has ever taken place on the
waters Of the Chesapeake. The new
and splendid steamboat Mcdora, built for
the line between this city and Norfolk,
was yesterday rendered wreck by the
explosion Of her steamboiler, attended by
a fearful destruction Of human life.
The Aledora was just completed, and
preparatory to being turned out from he
hands Of the machinist a number of per-
sons were invited to go in her on an en-
perimental trip. The day being pleasant,
II is supposed that probably one hundred
or mo,e, were on board, including some
of The Directors Of the Steamboat Com
pany and their friends, and a number of
the hands engaged in finishing the vessel,
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 was about TO start from the wharf OF
the engine builder, Mr.. John Watchman,
on the south side Of the basin, on the pro-
posed trip. A gentleman who was on
board informs us that the engine had on
ly made the second revolution, IN order to
back the Medora from the wharf, when
the boiler exploded with loud noise,
carrying upwards a considerable portion
of the upper deck and those upon it, and
blow ing the smoke stacks high into the
air. The maE force of tho explosion
was almost exclusively towards The head
of the boat, and the portions of the boat
around the boiler were torn TO pieces. -
The boiler itself, an immense one ofiroD,
was thrown cr0sswise on the deck.
The boat was instantly envelopcd in n
cloud OF scalding steam, which was IN
haled by some with fatal consequences,
while others suffered externally in their
persons from lis effects. Our infornan,
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 drowned.
The boat Immediately settled in the wa.
ter until her hull rested on the bottom OF
the river
In the centre and forward part Of the
boat there was IA fearful destruction OF
life and limb Some of those on board
were blown high in the air aud fell on
shore, in tho water, and on the boats ly-
ing near by. Others were crushed with
the splinlered iimbers !; others scaldcd
with the steam while those below the
decks, not having time to escape, were
either suiiocated by the steam Or drown
ed when the boat sunk.
When we reached the scene Of desc
lalion we found large number of per.
sons, among whom were several physi-
Clans, busily engaged in endeavoring to
assist the injured; and carrying away
those who were dead Oh dying. So
great was the confusion that prevailed,
and 80 little was known as TO the number
and names Of persons on board, that on
complete account cold be obtained. We
annex a list Of all those who were njur-
ed or killed, as far as we could learn
them. There are no doubt some who,
were on board, whose loss will only be
known by their not returning to their
homes.
Captain Sutton, who had command of
the boat, was standing over the boiler
when it exploded. lie was much inlur.
ed in the head, and it was very doubtful
yesterday whether he would recover.
John C. Moale, Esq, the agent of the
line, was on board with his
two sons. Mr.. Moale had his right foot
aud was injured in the side
aud back Soon aller he was taken
home, he died.
Mr.. Moale's eldest son William, n
fine lad about ID years of age, was killed
almos. instantly. Ills second son, who
was also on board, was dangerously in
lurcd.
The truly painful duty is imposed upon
US of adding to tho list of deaths occa-
stoned by the fearful explosion on board
the Aleoora, the names Of several OF the
sufferers who have since expired from
the injuries then received, aud of those
who were missing and whose bodies have
been recovered from the wreck
The following are the names Of those
who have died since Thursday night:
II is with unicigned sorrow that we
place a, the head Of this list the name of
Andrew +. Henderson, Esq, President
Of thu Baltimore aud Norfolk Sieampac-
ket Company. 1t appears that at the
time Of the explosion Mr.. H. was in the
forward part OF the boat, and was found
after the explosion, very much scalded
The steam which he inhaled nj the same
time produced his death, after lingering
until half post eleven o'clock yesterday
morning.
Prom the Bshimsr. Patriot ~ fsn,urday evening
A LIST OF THE DEAD.
The following list comprises the names
Of all who nre known up to the time we
write 10 be dead John &. Moale,
. hornas Eldridge, VIM. Moale, John
Harper, Joseph Lecomp,c, John Haley,
Capt. John Viekers, John Boston, john