The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
ega From our Extra of Saturday, Jan. 81.
Explosion of the Pearl.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 27, 7 o'clock, P. n

Never has it been our lot to record more appall-
ing calamity on the inland waters of this State than
that detailed below.
The high pressure steamer Pearl, Davis, master,
left Marysville at o'clock with an unusual crowd
of passengers, numbering as nearly as can be as
certained, 143, of whom 35 were Cinnamon; she
had almost reached the city, and was just below the
mouth of the American River, when an explosion
occurred which lifted the forward deck and threw
it directly over the bows. The boilers exploded in
the forward part and the accident is said to have
been occasioned by want of water in them.
There are fifty or sixty lives lost by this dread
full disaster. Nearly dozen were blown into the
air, and or two to height of 60 or 10 feet and
nearly to the opposite shore of the Sacramento
The whee-house was blown overheard and the pilot
wheel was broken into five six pieces but strange
to say the pilot was not killed, although he
siderably injured The upper deck was blown COM
pletey off, and the passengers clung in crowds to it
and to the guards of the boat the confused mass
foated down the river. A line was made fast to
tree opposite Cary's mill, above the mouth Of the
slough, where the wreck now remains. Immediate
ly after the explosion skifs were manned by strong
arms and were hurried to the rescue of the wound
ed and struggling victims. Mr. C L Knowles was
the first to reach the wreck, picking up he pass
ed six Cinnamon, and taking from the deck three
ladies, who were transferred to g-boat and car
ried safely to shore. The explosion took place in
the forward part of the boat and those who in
that part of the wreck most seriously injured
1t is supposed that the fremen were also lost while
H. ,oJ h,,+ J:ttJo
of the passengers had the presence of mind to fall
on the foor and the steam passed over them with
out injury.
LIST OF OFFICERS AND Grew Capt E. P. Davis,
missing; Capt. Randall, Mate, dead VIM. A.
Tilman, Clerk slightly injured R K M Williams,
Pilot slightly injured; H Bidwell, Steward I'M
injured; Edward Springer, Bar-keeper, badly
scalded; Andrew Wadleigh, Engineer; Charles
Jewell Fireman Mr.. Jordon, Fireman ]. Smith,
cabnboy.
The following is the list of those at the Hospital
as far as can be ascertained Philip Kelley, leg
fractured; Capt. Randall, mate, dead Thomas
Chadon, leg fractured and scalded Mr.. Goodman,
scalded and bruised; H Hagar, scalded; two Chi
namen with limbs fractured and badly sca!ded
OapC. DHVlS Is mSSlIS duu IL Is lcdrCu uc Is
among the lost. 1t is reported however that he
has been saved, but the rumor needs confrma-
ton.
VIM A Gilman, Clerk, was standing at the desk,
in his Office at the time the explosion occurred He
says that one third of the passengers on the
boiler deck one third in the cabin and the remain
der below.
Mr. II Knofor fbo of Adopoc e. Co
had gone aft to get his treasure box at the time of
the accident and left his letter bag in the hand'
of Mr.. Mcbride, the messenger of Wells Fargo &
Co. The bag was afterwards found in the river
Mr. Keefer was unhurt, Mr.. Nc Bride is undoubt
edly lost
Col. Anderson, of Nevada, passenger, was
killed. There is body of dead man on board
the Camanche
The shock was terrific, and was heard as far as
the Green Tree House, corner of M. st. and tn
Levee.
The body of Col. Anderson, of Nevada, has been
removed to q room in the Orleans Hotel
The following are known to have been on board
at the time of the accident Mr.. T V Mount, for
merly of Coloma, missing; Nichols of Policy & Co
badly hurt. Wells, Fargo g. Co.'S treasure is mis-
sing and also that of Rhodes & Co. The overcoat
and pocket book of MIR. Mount has been found in
the river.
Two unknown men are lying dead at the Station
House one of whom has two bags of gold dust n.his
person.
The steamer Yolo, ferry-boat, afforded every pos
sible assistance.
Every possible assistance has been rendered by
citizens and the physicians of our city, in be-
slowing their utmost attention upon the unfortu-
nate victims of this calamity. The appearance of
the Hospital is truly terrible The floors are cov-
cred with the victims of this disaster, and in every
conceivable state of suffering. Their wounds,
however, are being skilfuy and carefully dressed
by Drs Price, Williams, Kendall, Curtis Ogden
and others.
Amid the intense excitement that prevails it is
impossible to get an accurate account of the lost,
but from sources considered to be reliable there is
every to suppose that at least so have been
killed.
p Sat half past 8 o'clock the body Of T. "
Mount had not been found, although diligent search
had been made and reward offered. Private let
ters belonging to him have been picked up
Free Negro is not a citizen of the United States,