Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-22
6fneral sntfiligenee.
From the Louisville Journs,, March 10.

Another Dreadful Steamboat Explosion
Forty to Fifty Persons Killed d Wounded
We learn from two passeng rs on the Europa,
which arrived here last night from below, that
about eight o'clock night before last the steamer
Reindeer from this port bound TO ST. Louis, burst
a fue Just she was leaving Cannelton, scatter
ing misery and death in all directions. At the first
revolution Of the wheel the fue burst. The steam
rushed first forward, then through the deck, and
finally enveloped the whole boat so that nothing
was visible of il. The screams of the wounded
were heart-rending. The Europa was about three
hundred yards off; but, in approaching the Rein,
deer, was run into by her, and the Europas guard.
from the bow 10 the boilers, was torn oil.
Our informants could not give us any OF the
names Of the killed and wounded, the number OF
which they estimated at forty or fifty. They were
positive that none of the cabin passengers were
killed or wounded and that all the officers escaped
harm, except one OF the engineers, VINO was killed
outright, and one Of the mates, who was missing
independent of these two, all the persons killed
and wounded belonged 10 the crew and deck pas
sengers. OF the latter she had a number, consist
ing principally of families removing west Many
were blown into the river and drowned. The
Reindeer was, as soon as possible after the acct
dent, landed again. The Europa lay alongside OF
her about fifteen minutes. The scene in the cabin,
where the wounded were taken, is described as
horrifying. Most of them were so horribly scalded
that there was no chance ofther recovery.
The Reindeer had been sold and was on her
way 10 ST. Louis TO be delivered TO her purchasers,
and in charge of her former officers. She left
this port about noon on Monday.
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
Yesterday we had long conversation with
Capt. Hiram l.. Hawey, of the steamer Europa.
who was near the Reindeer when her huc col.
lapscd and knows as much Of the cause and re-
suits of the accident as any man. The REINDEER
and Europa were taking on coal together AT Can
melton The former bound down and the latter up
the river. The Reindeer got on her supply OF
coal first, rounded slowly out on the siarboard
wheel about half past nine O'Clock, and at the
moment when her bow was directly down the
stream and while the second revolution OF The
larboard wheel was being made, tlue collapsed
at both ends and the deck was raked from stem
TO stern with dcluge Of scaldng water and
steam. The sound Of the explosion was sharp
and its force Overwhelming. Many persons were
hurled headlong in the river, and others Blinded
by the steam and crazy with suffering rushed,
overheard. Some Of these were saved; many
were not.
The wreck now hoated hopelessly, and the pow.
erful hood-current bore herowards the bank wht r.
she was IN danger Of annhlntion from heavy, lean.
ing sycamore trees Steam was up on the Europa.
and with all possible speed Captain Hawley went
10 the rescue. About three-quarters OF a mile be-
low The scene OF the explosion. The Europa got
below the Reindeer, and stopped her by catching
the bow the Il. III her guard. The Europa was
now in a bad nix.
The engineers were hurried, and managed TO
"caich both engines on The centre" so that while
the bow OF The Reindeer held by the EnroPa's
starboard guard which il was tearing badly, the
larboard guard of the L. was dashed against tree
and scraped Off for some fifteen fee, from the how
back By this time the Europa's engines were at
work and she maintained her position against the
Hood until the Reindeer was made last.
Caatain Eawley called and told the people on
shore 10 go down 10 The wreck instantly, prepared
10 attend to huadred wounded persons, and such
ll.
and on their way.
A few rods above Canncllon the Europa met
the Magnolia, and mailing her gave The news. and
the statement thai it was desirable tor the Rein
deer 10 be lowed Up 10 the landing.
Capt. Hawley states that from the slow move
ments Of the Reindeer III rounding OUT and the
manner in which she escaped I've IS perfectly
confident she could not have had one hundred
pounds Of steam, and that the accident was occa.
stoned by the lowness OF water IN the boilers, and
then the boat, when coaing, carecned considera-
bly, and the aue that collapsed must have been out
of the water In that case II would become red
hot and soft. and when suddenly covered with
water would give way TO the pressure.
Captain Hawley was unable TO give reliable
statement OF the number OF persons killed and IN
iured He was informed that the Renders crew
consisted of thirty men, aud after the acciden, not
more than dozen were safe. The steerage con.
tanned a large number OF persons, all of whom
were more or less injured. As he passed the
Reindeer, after the accident, when endeavorIng
10 check the progress. there were as many per-
sous clinging to her rudder aud yawl as could find
room TO hold on He saw number of men strug.
Cling in the water, most Of whom certainly per.
ished. s. (.
A few persons were scaded by the steam in the
cabin; one man, while in his berth, was ascer.
tanned to be desperately injured
The scene was more terrific than II is possible
to describe. Whca the clothes were torn from
the sufferers, their skin was found in most cases
10 be as wet, ragged paper, literally hanging in
shreds The shrieks and means on the wounded
were beyond imagination awful. A number died
al once, and the scenes OF misery in horrible var
ETY., on every hand, were too shocking 10 dwell
upon.
The victims were a, once taken 10 the cabin
stripped of their clothing, and covered with oil
and fiour Nearly sixty persons, utiering heart.
rending means and screams, unable to be calm