The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-29
TERRIBLE BOILER EXPLOSION.
DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAMBOAT EXCEL
sIoRi-LIvEs LOST
From the New York Tribune.

From the New ork Tribune.
At o'clock last evening, as the steam
boat EXCELSIOR, Captain Nelson, which
plies between this City and Coxsackie,
was leaving the deck foot of Cortland-st.,
her boiler exploded with terrific concus-
sion, killing and scaldlng several ni her
passengers and crew. The boat imme-
diately took fire from the effects of the
explosion, drifting at the viii Of the ele
ments. and for moment 1t was feared
that those on board her who had escaped
the original calamity, would be engulled
in the flames.
She driited down the stream as far as
CorJland-st. when the steamboat Colum-
bus took her passengers off and towed her
up nearly to the wharf from which she
had started, when the steamboat Fairfield
going up the river. went between the EX-
celsior and Columbus. The stern of the
Fairfield was brought in contact with the
burning vessel, and those on board the F.
cutting the tow-line, the wreck was adrifl
again.
As the wreck driited down stream great
fears were entertained that she would run
foul of some one of several ships which
Law at anchor in the stream This was
prevented, however, BY her coming in
contact with a small sIoop, setting her
bows on fire, aud then veering round and
setting fire to her whole broadside. AZ
Ter hard fight the blazing wreck was
beaten off and pursued her course down
the river. She had rot proceeded far,
however. before she was overtaken by the
steamer John Fitch which grappled with
the fiery fugitive and conveyed her over
to the Jersey shore. The boat was burnt
to the waters edge, and the skeleton OF
the boat. half seen through clouds OF
smoke and fame as she swept down the
stream, vas gFanA sublime. The
shore was lined with dense masses OF
people and the river was crowded with
boats.
The boat was new and put on the route
in June last. but was moi one of the first
class. She was engaged principally in
cheap passenger business between New
! York and Catskill and Coxsackie, and
was owned by Hunt Nelson d Sons. of
the latter place. She was valued at S35.-
900. and was but partially insured.
The whole number Of passengers on
board probably did not epceed forty
The boat, at the time Of the explosion.
had just left the wharf, and the passen-
gers. as is usual when the boats passed up
the river. moved over TO the starboard or
City side. The boiler which burst was
on the larboard side.
The explosion shook the large steamers
Hendrix Hudson and Empier, lying at
the Cortland-st. piers. The umhers were
thrown high up into the air, and the body
of at least one person was seen falling
with the timbers. The boiler was not
seen after the explosion. That part Of ii
not broken to pieces went Immediately to
the bottom.
The Sufferers were Immediately carried
TO the Hospital and taken care of. Their
names are
Daniel Slawson, passenger. aged IS.
father-in-Iaw OF Alderman Gilbert, Isl
ward. He was badly scalded. and died
in few minutes after being taken 10 the
Hospital.
Wm. Hull, passenger, lives at 10. III
Lewis-st. His face is very much batter
ed and upper and lower jaws both broken
in several p!aces:-has deep injury on
his thigh, and is burnt on one knee.
William Van Wart. lst Engineer. has
both arms badly burnt, and IS bruised on
his back
| George Van Wart. 2d Engineer, bro
ther OF William, has his arms, legs, back
and throat, badly burnt.
One of the firemen is missing. snppo-
sed to hare been the body seen blown up
/ in the air at the time of the explosion.
We learn that the first Engineer was
struck on the back BY something heavy
and forced through a bulk-head, and on
returning 10 his station found Mr.. Slaw-
son in his (ihe Engineers room lying on
his baciI with a large piece of the smoke
pipe alongside Of him.
The injuries sustained by Mr.. Slawsor
were not known last evening. A Coro,
ner's inquest is TO be held this morning.
The cause of the explosion is as vet un,
explained. There are various rnmor:
about it, but we cannot state anything a:
positive The lst Engineer says tha
there was only about eighteen inches o
steam on Just before the explosion
! There must be a searchino enquiry insti
tuted as 10 the causes of this sad catas
trophe, and let the public know, whethe
or not il is the resultof carelessness.
| 1t is said that the steamer could havi
been saved with the loss of only about !
Thousand dollars worth Of the woodwork k