New-York daily tribune., 1854-09-04
EXPLOSION OF THE TIMOUR, NO. -
EIGHTEEN OR TWENTY KILLED AM
MISSING.
Errr ~ Sl Ioui. L,f,llia-,o,r az. b.


The steamer Fl Fira arrived at the LeVee, yes'er.
day bringing particulars OF the terrible explosion oil
the Timour, No. ., by which, many persons were
killed. and many more wounded dispatch was re-
ceived here Saturday from Jefferson City stating 1at
the Timour had exploded, killing two persons Inc
facts are much worse, and another page Is added 10
the book OF distressing accidents by which crowds al
human beings are launched, without moment 3
warning, in;o eternity. The Timour left our wharf
last Thursdsy for Weston and 81. Joseph. On
Saturday morning about o clock. while wood-ng at
Edwards woodward. about three mrs below JEFF
fersOn City the explosion occurred. We have heard
assigned which resulted in the catastrophe
All three OF the boilers burst simultaneously, while
the boat was lying at shore. The number Of killed
and wounded was not correctly ascertained at the
ame the Elvirs left though some asserted that
fifteen fell victims; while others represented the
number Of killed and missng a. high as twenty. We
hope subsequen results will prove the case not quite
serious. Many were BLOWN into the river. Among
the victims whose bodies recovered, and whose
names are ascertaned, Is that of the pilot, Mr. DIX,
brother of the captain. Mr.. Dix's body wss brough
down the Elvirs to ST. Charles, whence it viii be
taken to Bndgeton for interment.
The bodies Of five deck hands were recovered,
names not mentioned The second mate and r
striker, both badly wounded, were brought down on
the Elvire. Several Others brought down by the
same boat were more or less hurt-onc deck hand
severely Mr.. White, merchant of Roanoke, Mo,
and passenger was badly scalded. Three children OF
Mr. Charles Eckley, the second clerk of the Timour,
among the officers, crew and passengers escaped
with slight injuries. There were but few passengers
aboard, either in tie cabin on deck. The boat Il
complete wreck, having been shattered 10 atoms by
the explosion. She sunk shortly after the accident,
in six feet water. Her cargo also, is seriously dam
aged.
Since writing the above Capt. Dix has arrived in
the city and confirms all the material points in this
statement. The boat had just made the landing, a1d
the hands were carrying in the first wood when the
A
forecaste and near the boilers png the wood at the
moment. a number were also ashore, and these
latter escaped, while those on the orecaste and at
the sides Of the boilers were killed or blown over
board to man.
Capt Dix had Just sscended to the boiler-deck, and
was in the act of walking to the clerks office when
the volcano beneath his feet sent the whole forward
part of the boat shvering ints the air. His escape
was miraculous. Mr.. Charles Dix, his brother, one
of the pilots was in the Texas or pot-house, and re-
ceived injuries Of which he soon died.
Mr.. Mcpherson, the first clerk, escaped without
serious injury Mr.. Eckley, the second clerk was
crossing the forecaste with three of his children, all
Of whom were blown overheard and fortunately saved
from drowning. The children were severely in ured,
one, if net two OF them, dangerously. There we're
perhaps five SIX cabin passengers, ali of whom
escaped without maerial injury, except Mr. White,
spoken Of previously.
Capt. Dix does not recollect the names OF any of
the victims; all killed and missing were believed to
have been firemen and deck hands who were shipped
IN this Guy. maJOrty of tncfn Dut ie" uourS oeIoc
the boat LETT port and their names, if taken down are
in the possession Of Mr.. McPhason first clerk.
The first and second engineers escaped with slight
burns. Charles McCord the first was asleep IN the
Texas, snd fell with portion VI the wreck into the
river. The second and striker were on duty. The
striker was badly burned the second received one
two slight scratches. We have heard it stated that
the explosion was caused by want of water in the
boilers-a very common and nine times IN ten the
only true cause of explosion.
II is said there little steam, no water, but any
quantity OF gas in the boilers the appearance OF the
wreck, and the burned and crsped bodies Of the un-
fortunate victims too plainly showed. The shock was
awful oil three boilers going off at the same Instant,
and not fragment of either ten feet in length could
be found.
a. The 1imour was a serviceable but very uofortu-
nate boat valued at about $4,000, with marine risks
TO a considerable amount; but as all policies have
clause exempting the underyrers from responsibility
when the To-, caused by explosion II is more than
probable the owners Of the Timour will never
receive a dollar for their boat The cargo, which
does not come under the same provision, will be
looked to by parties interested.