The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-26
The Explosion OF the Steamboat Zachary
Taylor, the Ohio.

From the Cincinnati Ct numerical, Dec %
Since the enactment of the general steamboat law,
we have had q blessed immunity Fl ON the heart
reDding casualties that had been 30 trghtfully fire.
quent prior to July last But early yesterday morn
ing the lower part of the city startled by she re-
port OF the explosion OF the steamer Zachary Taylor
an d boat running in connection with the Forest
Qneen in the Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg, and Aurora
Qndiana) line.
From Mr. Wheeler, OF Aurora, g passenger on
board at the time Of the accident, learn that the
boat was opposite Taylorsport, some nine miles be-
low the city when the accident occurred aud was on
her upward trip, with twenty-five or thirty psssen-
gers, keveri hon0red hogs on board and two barges
laden with Dogs from the Lawrenceburg Railroad IN
tow.
Mr.. Wheeler was asleep in his stateroom when he
was awakened by, sharp report which proved TO
have been made by collapsed fus. This was at
thirty.hve minutes past Six In toe morning. When
he went out forward ne found the steamer stopped,
all the lower part Of the boat filled with smoke and
steam and before him, stretched out on the Oreoas
tie, lay the coIpses of three Irish deck hands who
had been instantly killed by the explosion. Beside
these there were other deck ha ads more or less
injured. Twenty thirty hogs were scalded, and
nearly as many jumped overheard.
No other damage was done by the explosion, save
the injury to the boilers and machinery-ths last
was trifiDg. The Forest Queen belonging TO the
same owners, came alongside soon after the accident,
and towed the 2. Taylor to the landing The eorpses
Of the unfortunate deck hands and wounded men
were carried back to Lawrenceburg.
Capt Protzman, proprietor of the 2. Taylor, and
few minutes before the occurrence, and while the
boat we'll out from the shore, the engineer hailed
the pilot to inform him that he going to stop the
engines. The captain ran down to the engineers
room to ascertain the of the delay, and was
stepping through the door OF the engineers room
when the explosion occurred. flying piece Of the
boiler or brick struck the captain on his side this
knocked him back through the door, and thus pre-
served his life. minute after and he would have
been scalded by the steam and hot water from the
boilers, the head and soes of winch were blown out.
| The following is list of the names Of those killed
and wounded = Killed, Thomas Carens, deck hand;
Thomas Doyle deck hand, and one passenger, name
unknown. The wounded are named r Smith, of
Aurora, first engineer, slightly scalded John Ever
scalded; Henry lhnson, colored fireman, badly
scalded; George Washington, colored fireman,
slightly wounde5 John Clancy, white deck hand,
badly scalded John States, deck hand, slightly; Lot
Smith passenger from Greenvile, slightly scalded,
and three or four others hose names could not be
sscertained.
This being the 6r-t disaster Of the kind since the
new steamboat law went into effect, we have copied
the following entries from the books of Captains
Haldeman and Guthrie steamboat inspeotors:-
July 8 Steamboat e. Taylor left 1port this day
without complying ~ith the law. This boat takes
the place of the Forest Queen, aud runs daily to Au
rore, and belongs "a the company, one of whom
have had Sc Teral conversations with and told him
what was required and ihs penalties.
July 9-Vislted the z. Taylor, ADD found her want.
ing in many Of the requirements of the law, viz
stops, wire ter ropes, or steering apparatus, floats,
lie preservers life boats, pipe to GLOW steam in the
hold &C. ho,i6ed the captain through the clerk.
July l9-Hydrostatic test applied 10 2. Taylor,
two hundred pounds. The boat has not made aLy
| further progress to meet the requirements of the
law. Captain Protzman sent us a note that she
would be ready This day, but on examin alton find
| she is not.
July 27-Certifcate of inspection in full granted
to steamboat Zachary Taylor.
| Sept. 9-Forest Queen made affidavit for certif-
cate Of inspection; but on examination, find no
water gauges-gauges that were on her were put
| upon the Zachary Tay lor
Dec. IL De position taken by ID. o. Morton iu the
case OF the United States against steamers Wiscon-
sim Forest Queen, and Zachary Taylor.
We find, however, upon personal examination,
that the Zachary raylof not furnished and fitted
in compliance with the terms of the law at the time
of the explosion. At the time the Forest Queen was
laid up, number OF articles and fixtures were trans
ferred to the Taylor in order to bring the latter uu-
der the law. But when the Forest Queen was again
put in the line, the Taylor was partially dismantled
to put the former in good order. Capt Protzman ii
is said, called upon the Inspector, about q month
since and stated that the Zachary Taylor would
henceorward De used freight boat only, in which
case he supposed he should not be compelled to it
her up in all respects in accordance with the terms
OF the law, which applied to boats carrying passen-
| gers.
The following statement has been handed MS since
| the above was writteD:-" The Zachary Taylor col
lapseo the starboard ue at half past six this morn
ing, killing three immediately and scalding ten per.
Sons. including the two engineers, whose faces and
bands are badly injured. At the time Of the acct
dent the Zachary Taylor was opposite Taylorsport.
The engineer hailed the pilot, informing him he
wished to stop the engine for few minutes and to
bold the boat straight up the river. The captain
was in the pilot house at the time, and went down
to the eDgire.room, and was there wnen the expl1
sion took place, being about foot from the placI
where the break took place. He is slightly wounded
In the head from brick blown from the FIRE WALL