The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16
The Steam Boiler Explosion In Boston.
FIVE MEN SEVERELY INJURED.


The steam engine used by s. j. Taylor, hat manu-
facturer, Nos. Is and 20 Brighton street. exploded
yesterday afternoon at quarter past two o'clock
with noise that created much alarm among the
people residing in that vicinity. The engine wa.
in the basement, and the sudden expansion Of the
steam tore up the floor Of the first story of the build
ing, and raised that of the second from the beams
The lower part Of the chimney was badly shattered
and was partly detached from the wall near the
roof. The bricks and fragments of broken machi
merry were scattered around in dreadful confusion
The two outside CRATES in the sidewalk were thrown
up, and the Office chairs and furniture on the first
floor were hurled into the middle Of the street.
The engineer, who, according to his own account
was in the basement and in the act of taking of
the pump which supplies the boiler, at the time
OF the catastrophe, Is supposed to have been
meath the outside crate, his clothes torn off,
and his flesh frightfuly scaided. His name
is Thomas Beach, an Englishman, twenty three
years OF age, and resides on Cypress street. where
he has wife. Besides the injuries received from the
hot steam, his back was badly bruised. The physi-
clans at the hospital, where he was Immediately
taken, gave favorable opinion Of his case
though his recovery must be regarded as doubtful
hands torn to pieces and was badly scalded. His
recovery is also looked upon as doubtful. He has
several children, some of whom are married. He is
now at the hospital. George Francis, about 40
years Of age, while attempting to escape from the
building fell through CRATE and severely bruised
his head and back. He was also taken to the hos
pital. His family have been assured that, though
badly scalded, he will recover.
Ebenezer Stafford, man of family, about 40
years of age, was badly scaded about the face and
arms. His wounds were dressed at the hospital
and he is not thought to be dangerously injured.
Christian Rake, man about 81 years of age
was bruised and badly scalded. He was taken to his
residence, 46 Brighton street. where he has wife
and family.
William Cayser, an old man 80 years Of age, was
at work in close proximity to the engine, but almost
miraculously escaped without serious injury.
A boy employed on the first floor was thrown up
to the ceiling, but fortunately escaped with few
slight bruises Four of the men were at work di-
recty the boiler at the time it exploded and it
is cause for rejoicing that they escaped with their
lives, when one of the huge tubs at which they were
at work. was hurled from its place. and portions OF
the floor were thrown upward and scattered through
the room in all directions.
The end of the boiler towards the street remained
in its bed, and large aperture displaying an insult
cient strength of iron, was plainly dscernbe from
the outside. The other end seemed to have been
blown to pieces judging from the tearing up of the
bricks in which it had been imbedded.
The engine was two and half years old, and al
though Of only rs horse power, had been made to
drive the machinery of the hat mandatory cabi-
net work shop, a blacksmith shop, and lamp manu-.
factory-works requiring at least so horse power.
Mr.. Ellison, one Of the persons injured, died at
the Massachusetts General Hospital on the 18th
inst and Mr.. Beach, the engineer cannot live more
than an hour or two.