The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-21
Explosion OF a Steam Boiler, and Loss
! OF LIFE

From the Philadelphia Bulesin, March2O1
This southwestern part ofths Northern Liberties just
north of the city line, thrown into state of the
most intense and sgonizing excitement this morning.
By explosion which, perhaps, had parallel in
occurred in Ph,lsdelphis.
Tais terrific catastrophe happened about nine O'Clock
A. M and has resulted as far rs is known in the death
Of two persons The scene of the disaster was located
en- the eest side of Dlwyn street. below Willow At
this point stood large frame occupied by ssac
NJ. Reeves for cutting smoking tobacco by steam ms-
ohnery. The boier-about eighteen feet in length
was placed in the first story of the building extending
nstbwise, east snd west. The engine Immediately
connected with it, on the foor where the princ
pl portion of the work of the establishment was
~ tbs number of some half dozsn, maj ority of
whom were boys, we're at work in the room, Mr.
Reeves himself superintending the working II the en-
fgine. The boiler exploded without any premenitek
Warming whatever: breaking nearly in the c-stre, -
its entire circumfrencs, almost straight II aha
- cesnly that the parts separated appearedea ough
had been divided by -oms instrument or ErsissY
dssigned TO- the ptrpose rr Western seeti5Mof 80
boiler projected through the window Of the building
across Diwyn street the distance of about fifty feet,
striking brick dwelling house the opposite side of
the street occupied by Joseph B. Fthisn and William
Luederitz-and horrible TO relate in it's struck
one CT the boys working in the factory named Joseph
Has between IA and 10 years of age who's: head was
boiler and dashed agsinst the dwelling directly under
ne point where the pieces Of boiler made the breach
the wall being bespatred with his brains and blood and
presenting ffightfal aud heart siksning sight Tho
bead re astounding and falling upon the pavement,
the curb stone added the horror Of the sight while
the headess trunk instant remaining stationary
and quvering ghsstythen falling iel.ss Mt the spot
which the poor boy stood at the nom mt of his wu
decaptston- formed altogether picture of the most
appalling and soul rendng description This section of
the boiler forced an aperture three feet rquare entirely
through the wall, which thirteen inches thick
throwing bricks and fragments into the psror and
damaging portions of the wood work of the room well
as the furniture in it The piece of boiler rebounded
aud fell upon the pavement 1t in contact with
the building elise TO tho wall dividing the house from the
angle of the partition wall doubt caused it to rebound
and thus prevented 1t from passing into, and perhaps
through the house. Fortunately there was one IN
the parlor In connection with this section of the boiler,
the steam pipe also projected the street and
having become separated from the boiler was driv-
down the cellar way passing through the glass lights
at the top OF the door leading into the Kitchen
st the bottom of the steps On entering the kitchen it
made strange whirl dropped upon the floor Seve
raj members of the families of MIR Lusderitz and Mr.
ftbisD were in the kitchen at the time of the chill
dren having first taken seat between the door through
which 1t and the spot where IL fell Luckily
of them ware injured, though their fright may bs ina
sned But the whole Of the story Of this dreadful Acc
boiler-the larger port Of twas projected with the
same terrible violence through eastern window of the
Third street, occupied by the family of John Henry
Schwacee except the frony and back of the first
story, which were in the occupancy ofJacob Hoeckey
soriveDer and the County Fire Insurance Company
their Office The section passed and through the
yard, distance of 80 or 100 feet cutting away
Dor. tearing the earth and finally struck the back
wall of the house the angle formed by the base-
ment entry wall The basement door carried away,
with part Of the jam and two feet of the wall
and likewise some Of the posts supporting stairway plat
form. The reristsnce offered here by partition wall,
in the of the house struck by the other half OF
tho boiler, doubtless prevented it nom entering the
building, Us t rebounded and fell on the pavement
Some pieces of wood and other pref ectes thrown
upwards breaking veral psnes Of glass In window OF
ne first etory Mr.. b, + Hoecsey clerk, was standing
81 a window writing. and made narrow escape some
Ct the mud torn by the boiler plsshng in his face
The point In the factory from which the eastern
ton of the boiler projected, elevated mum
Der OF feet from the point where it struck Mr..
Schwscke's house, tae intermediate space forming
the two yards being depressed probably six, eight
or more feet Ia the yard immediately in froSt Of
and close by the door OF the basement entrance Ger
man woman, known by the name of Francisco Wslwss
wer was washing at tub The piece Of boiler hit her
ia the right groin managing her in shocking manner,
aud causing her death in few moments. Sne an
industrious. hard working woman, who kept room in
Cherry street The deceased In the habit OF wash
I'M for MIR. schwackes family, and represented as
having husband in the county. The boy killed was,
we understood the of Mrs Mary u ass widow,
siding In Laurel street, Budd Mr. Reeves sustain
ed some slight Injury from the hot water steam and
being thrown by the force Of the explosion the floor
second story of the factory The shock destroyed
the fixtures Of the engine end boiler besides partially
dmoishng the northern portion OF the building black
man, one OF the workmep eighty scaded The ac
eident s attributed to break In the boiler that had
been repaired few days since The factory had only
been In operation about three weeks