The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-29

eY- From the New York Commercial ADDER
tiser of Saturday evening last, we extract the
following explicit account of the sad catastro-
phe at Hurl Gate:
SAD ACCIDENT AT HURL GATE.--A terrible
accident happened at Hurl Gate yesterday after
noon, in the course of the operations going on
there, to remove the distractions from the cham
mel of the river. The particulars in full are not
yet ascertained So far as known, they are in.
cluded in the annexed narrative, copied from the
Courier:
1t appears that Mons Mallcfert has hitherto
been using tin canisters containing charge OF
1875 lbs Of gunpowder, at each BLAST yesterday,
for the first time, he tried an experiment with a
new canister or cylinder of cast iron.
About two o'clock, having fred one charge on
the "Frying Pam" without much effect, NJ
MailIefert proceed to let down another charge.
There were two boats, and five persons in the
party, M. Maillefert and his brotber-in-law oc.
cupied one boat, and young man named Theo-
dolo Southland, and two laboring men, one of
whom was named John Whalon, in the other.
In this latter boat, the cylinders containing the
charges, and communicating with wires ready to
be attached to the battery in NJ. Mailefert's boat
were deposited When all had been made ready,
and the charge lowered upon the rock to be
blasted, the young man Theodore Southland
handed M. Malefert wire, which, it is supposed
instead of leading to the charge under water, was
attached to the cylinder in the boat.
Not suspecting this unfortunate blunder OF
young SoutIlards, M. Maillefert and his brother
in-law rowed off some forty yards from the other
boat, and fired the charge. The effect of the
explosion of 1875 lbs. of gunpowder closely
packed in an iron cylinder were of course ter
rife. The boat containing Southland and his
companions was blown to atoms, and its occu
pants sent flying high through the mir. OF one
man, no trace has been discovered. Of another
headless, armless, legless trunk was picked W
by row boat and taken to Stevens Point, where
it now is. Southland himself was very seriously
injured, both externally and internally. He
was blown to considerable distance, and picked
up by the crew of sloOp which was passing.
who conveyed him to Astoria, where he and his
two unfortunate companions resided. His ply
stefan, DR.. A. H. Stevens, speaks favorably of
his condition, but it is to be feared that his
wounds are fatal.
Nons Maillefert and his brother-in law were
in one of Francis metallic life boats, and so great
was the shock, that notwithstanding they were
at the distance of forty yards at least from where
the other boat was-they were both blown some
forty feet into the air, and came down in the
river Both were injured. M. Maillefert's
shoulder, we understand is broken, and he is
much burned and bruised. His life however is
not despaircd Of His brother-in- laws injuries
are comparatively slight.
The shock of the explosion was so great that
all the houses in the neighborhood for half a
mile or SO were shaken to the foundation. As
many people were watching the operations OF
the basters, number of small boats instantly
went to the assistance of the sufferers. NJ
Maillefert and his brother. in law were picked
up by some men in row boat and carried to
the house of friend in Astoria, where they
were Immediately attended by Dr. A. H. Ste.
vens, who did all in his power to alleviate their
sufferings.
The life-boat which M. Maillefert used on the
occasion was much shattered az to be entire
ly useless. An effort was made to tow it ashore
but it was abandoned as but little besides the
bow was left of her.
The accident might have been much worse
than it was, but for little delay which, though
provoking to the parties concerned at the teme
was probably the means of saving their lives
M. Mailefert's lady and family had made an ap
pointment to 90 with him to see the operation
of the new cylinder. They arrived at the start
ing point, however, few moments after tht
boats had left and did not see their friend AGAR
until they were called to minister Mt their bed
sides. The feelings of the ladies at their provi
| DENTAL escape may we'll be imagined