The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-06

TAs E4plssson Of tse ssean- So@s MSs.r =
Twenty Klllea ana MlssoMW A.. ~,
[From the st. Louis Intelngsnor
TIE steamer Elvira arrived at sae ksve, ~,
bringing further particulars Of the ternos O.ou
Of the fimour No. 2, by which many person we're i
killed and many more wounded. Our reAsers yn
recollect that despatch was received here On b.
turdsy from Jefferson City, Eating that tbs TiSlour
bad exploded, killing two PERSONS. TIE facts are
much wor and another page is added to the book
ef distressing accidents by which crowds Of human
beings have been launched, without moments
warning, into eternity. The Timour lett our wharf
last Thursday Tor Weston and st. Joseoh. On
Saturday morning, about i o'clock, while wood
ing at Edwards wood yard, about three miles
below Jefferson City, the explosion occurred.
We have heard no cause 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 correct
~ ascei tanned &C the tune the Elva left, though
some asserted that fifteen fell victims; while others
represented the number Of killed and missing "a
prove the case not quite so seriouA Many were
blown into the river. Among the victims whose
bodies were recovered. and whose names are ascer
taiDed u that OF the pilot Mr. Dix brother Of the
captain. Mr.. Dixs body was brought down on the
Elvila to ST. Charles, whence it viii be taken to
Bridgeton for interment.
The bodies of five deck hands were recovered,
names not mentioned. The second mate and q
6II6tIy UOtH Dhuiy WOuHutut were OTUuRQt GOWN on
tie Elvira. Several others brought down by the
same boat were more or less hurt-One deck hand
severely. Mr.. White, merchant, Of Roanoke, No.,
and passenger, was badly scalded. Three children
Timour, were scalded, one severely. A number Of
others among the officers, crew and passengers,
escaped with slight injuries. There were but fe "
passengers aboard, either in the cabin or on deck
to atoms by the explosion. She sunk shortly after
the accident in six feet water. Her cargo also Is
seriously Damaged.
Since writing the above Capt. Dix has arrived in
the city and confirms all the material points In this
stsement. The boat had just made the landing,
andthe hands were carrying in the ftt wood when
the explosion occurred. A number OF them were on
the foIecastle and tue boilers piing the wood
these latter escaped, while those on the forecastle
and at the sides Of the boilers were killed or blown
overheard to man.
Capt. Dix had just assembled 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 shiverng into the air. His
escape was miraculous. Mr.. Charles Dix, his bro
theI, one of the pilots, was In the Texas pilot
house, and received injuries Of which he died.
Mr.. McPt ersoD, the first clerk, escaped without
serious injury. Mr.. Eckley, the second clerk, was
crossing the foreceste with three of his children,
all Of whom were blown overheard, and fortunately
injured one il not two of them, dangerously. There
were perhaps five or six cabin passengers, all of
whom escaped without material injury, except Mr..
White, spoken Of previously.
Capt. Dix does rot recolect the names Of any. Of
the victims all killed and missing were believed to
have been fremen and deck hands, who were
shipped in this city, q majority of them but few
hours before the boat left port and their Names II
taken down, are in the possession Of Mr.. McPher-
son, first clerk.
The first and second engineers escaped with slight
burns. Charles McCord the first, was asleep in the
Texas and fell with portion Of the wreck into the
river. The second and striker were on duty. The
striker was badly burnedi the second received one
or two slight scratches. We have heard 1t stated
that the explosion was caused by want of water In
the boilers very common, and nine times in ten
the only trne cause Of explosion.
1t is said there was little steam, no wafer, but
any quantity Of gas in the boilers, rs sthe appear
ance OF the wreck, and the burned and crisped bo-
dies Of the unfortunate victims too plainly showed
The shock was awful; all three boilers going off at
the same instant, and NOT fragment Of either ten
feet in length could be found
We have learned that the complement Of hands
which the boat had at leaving this port was As or
AZ, ard that Of these but Is have returned. The
following is the list of the dead far as dscoved:
VIM. Kelcher, Edward O'Mahey, Dan. Corners,
- Fleming and Charles Dix. All but the latter
were deck hands. Mr.. Dix was pilot Of the boat,
and brother to Captain Dix.
deck hand, badly soalded; Edward Roach, deck
hand, scalded; three children Of Mr.. Charles
Eckley, the second clerk, scalded; Mr.. White,
mei chant OF Roanoke, 6cAlded the second
mate and striker scalded, and brought down to
this city and placed in the Sisters hospital.
Quite number of others, deck hands, fremen,
and passengers were injured more or less severely,
whose names We cannot learn. Fortunately there
were but few passengers on board.
The boat was so badly injured that she sunk In
six or seven feet Of water soon after the explosion,
carry ing down valuable cargo, which all must be
more or less damaged. The body Of the pilot, Mr..
Dix. was brought down 10 st. Charles on board the
steamer Elvira, and taken OF to be inferred at
Bridgeton. number Of the wounded were taken
them.
The cause Of this most terrible accident has not
as yet been explained.