Butte record., 1855-02-03
EXPLOSION OF THE STEAMER
PEARL
TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE!

The explosion of the steamer Pearl is
one of the most horrifying casualties
| that ever occurred on the waters of this
State. The Peal was one OF the Cali
fornia Steam Navigation Company's s
steamers plying between Marysville and
Capt. Davis who is among the killed. The
Sacramento, and was commanded by
explosion took place about - , O'Clock
P. NJ. on Saturday last, just as the Pearl
was opposite the mouth Of the American
river. The boilers were burst into a
thousand fragments, making complete
wreck Of the boat, aud carrying death
and ghastly wounds in every direction
There were 10 persous on board at the
time, including officers and crew, of
which number but lhirty-fve escaped in
jury. As no register Of the names of
the passengers WAS kept on board, it will
be impossi Die TO give correct list of the
killed and wounded. Seventy-fve per-
sons were killed, wounded or drowned
by this terrible calamity.
The following is list so far as ascer-
tanned, Of the killed
KILLED-Capt Davis, of the Pearl;
Capt. Randall, f,rmcrly of the steamer
Plumas Alex. Anderson, lawyer OF
Nevada 7. V. Mount, Ohio, James
McBdde; J. G.. Bo1dcn; Francis Flu
ker; e. y. ShuIiz, Jesse James; w. O.
Conner: John 4. CIouse; B. Rcano;
John Miller; James Kavanaugh; George
H. Wellington; James Mcclure, p G.
Kentou, Shasta; David Littlcfeld. Cha s
Jewell, Darby Carroll, L r. Jewett,
= Nev,ll, - Douchcll, -- Harvey,
Michael Riley, Colored MN, Paul
DraScovitcb. George Dubstart, Cohen,
pedlar, and fifteen Chin men, making in
all AS bodies that had been recovered
The selrch for the bodies has been kept
up constantly.
INcIDENrs.-We collate the following
incidents from the Sacramento papers:
The body of woman was raised to
the surface of the water on Sunday at
ternoon, when tha grapnel gave way and
she vas no. again found.
Andrew Wadljegh; the Engineer, was
arrested on Sunday afternoon, but ad-
mitled to bail in 'he sum of $4,000
One Of the female passengers jumped
overheard, after the explosi and was
picked up.
Ths bodies of Mcssrs. Mount and
Mcbride we're horribly mutilated One
leg OF the former was cut entirely off.
In his hand firmly grasped, was his watch
with the outer case sprung open ana
blown off and the crystal broken The
watches Of 10th were running when re-
covered from the water.
Valuable papers were found on the
body Of G, H. Wellington, and denoting
that he leaves widow IN New Orleans.
The pilot swan ashore with one of
the spokes of the wheel in his hand.
Mr.. Casey, who was sitting on the
bank opposite the boat when she explo-
ded, noticed that the bolt was 90 ng
very fast and it appeared to him as if,
the steam was suddenly shut off. One
man, whom he supposed to be the pilot,
Was thrown distance of 200 feet into
the water.
Another gentleman, who was crossing
the river in small boat, states that the
chimney stacks and part of the boiler
were blown over his head near the Yolo
shore. He distinctly saw a dead body
accompanying the mass in is fight.
The cooduct Of the Chinese towards
their countrymen exhibited great human
ity, and d serves mention. Many of
the wounded were conveyed to the Chi
nese houses on | street, and their inju-
ries and wants properly attended to.
A gentlemaa who was standing on the
shore states that he saw large dog
plunge into the water, off the steamer,
after the explosion, swim to Chinaman
who was floating in the water, and drag
/ him ashore.
The Pilot, Mr.. Williams, was thrown
considerable distance in the air, and
fell in the river within a few feet of the
Y olo shore; he was subsequently picked
up and will doubtless recover, His es-
cape is certainly miraculous.
The appearance of the wounded,
(and scarcely one escaped) was soul
sickening sight. The Cinnamon and
women groaned and walled in most
awful manner The explosion was DIS
tincdy seen by many persons from the
levee, and a moment after its occurrence
lnnumerable bo ITS, and also the ferry
boat, running between Sacramento and
Washington sped to the scene of disaster
The bodies were picked up, and party
of men proceeded to clear away the
wreck for the purpose of saving or re-
covering those remaining on board, if
any In the meantime many bodies,
some Of them mutt lated in shocking
manner, were recovered from the frag-
ments floating in the river.
DR.. Smith is making out list of the
bodies not yet identified Their des-
crlption and appearance will be taken
down as accurately as possible.
,.Ft