The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-08-07
Another Terrible Casualty on the River !!

SeGm.pipe explosion on Lancaster FIve Eves sacri-
.feed-7tOO persons missing.
We are compelled to chronicle another fearful
and melancholy steamboat disaster. The New Rich
mond and Neville packet, Lancaster, commanded
by Capt. Conner, and owned by Capt. David Glib
son, of New Richmond, exploded a branch of one
of her main steampipes at about 10 o'clock last
night, when lying at the Steptoe XVI landing,
and horribly scaded five persons three of whom
are known to be dead and the other two are pro.
nounced MORALLY wounded. Two others are like.
wise said TO be missing.
From Capt. J. j. Blagg, of the Marietta packet,
Ohio No, 2, and from eye-Witnesses who were on
board the Lancaster at the time of the disaster, we
gather the following particulars of the horrible
ualty:
The steamer Lancaster left the Cincinnati landing
yesterday evening With a heavy cargo of corn, for
Neville taking up a number of extra bands-Irish
laborers-to assist in discharging her freight, to
enable her to make her regular time. She made
landing at Steptoe. KY, about one mile above Mos.
cow and about thirty miles above this city, for the
purpose of receiving additional freight
At about 10 o'clock at night, while the hands
were busily employed in carrying freight on board
branch of one of the steam-pipes suddenly burst
and scattered fearful destruction among them.
The report is said to have been like that of heavy
cannon. The steam swept through the engine room,
and round the boilers in a dense volume, horribly
scalding FIVE men who we're in the immediate vicin.
ity of the engines, and sweeping overheard, it is
supposed, two others who were standing on the
larboard guards, midships
The force OF the steam likewise tore up the floor
of the cabin above, and shattered table and
chandelier which was suspended at the head of the
main saloon.
The CONSERVATION among the few passengers was
fearful, and r,ersons ashore, to escape the steam
rushed into the adjacent forest
As soon as the steam cleared up the extent of
the catastrophe was discovered 20 the officers Of
the unfortunate steamer, who Immediately rushed
to the scene to alleviate the sufferings of the
wounded.
The Ohio No. 2 soon after hove in sight, and be-
ing sgnalIed, rounded to and took on board the
wounded and conveyed two Of them to Moscow,
where medical assistance was procured. The other
three were conveyed to this city. Two of them
expired before reaching the landing, and the third
died soon after reaching his home on Water street.
The BODIES Of the dead presented a shocking
spectacle The skin was stripped from their heads,
bosoms, and limbs, and their blackened bodies were
otherwise wretchedly mutilated.
Several others were slightly scalded. Some with
remarkable presence of mind threw themselves fat
upon their faces, thus avoiding the fatal inhalation
OF steam.
NAMES OF THE DEAD.-The following are the
names of the three deceased brought TO this city
James Kenney, Irish laborer, aged about forty
years, residence in Cherry alley, between Vine and
Race streets. He leaves a wife, but no children,
to mourn his loss.
James Kelley, Irish laborer, aged about forty
years, residence in Cherry alley, between Vine
aud Race streets He leaves a wife and two small
children, aged about two and four years respec-
lively.
Thomas Joyce, Irish laborer, aged about thirty
years, residing on Water, between Vine and Val
nut streets; leaves young wife, but no children.
We were unable TO obtain the names OF the two
wounded men left at Moscow, but are informed
that one Of them, an American, is single man,
aged twenty-five thirty years. and that his fathers
family reside at or near Moscow, Ohio. IL is said
that he was MORALLY wounded, being dreadfuly
mutated and blackened TO such an extent that his
nearest friends could not readily recognize him.
The other was large, corpulent negro famil-
iarly known as "Jess," who was formerly fireman
on board the steamer Forest Queen. The medical
attendant at Moscow said II was impossible for him
70 survive. he probably belongs to New Richmond,
as he desired TO be conveyed 10 that point
CAUSE OF THE DIsAsrER.-It is asserted that the
steam pipe which caused such fearful destruction,
was defective That, however, may be mere ru.
NOR as under the influence Of fear and excitement
and In the midst Of so much distress. il was i'm.
possible on the instant TO investigate the cause
The mate ef the Ohio No. states that the engineer
Of the Lancaster thought the bursted pipe could be
stopped 30 as 10 enable the boat TO return to this
city With one engine, for repairS-CSn IS"aes.>