New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-16
TrRp,.cIC EXPLOSfOE-THREE MEN
t,LOHN TO PIECES.
r II. .1es, Er.nias Journal. May Is.

F,om tn. ABssy Ersnias Journal, Nay is.
A sad calamity befel our city this morning, ana on
that will long be remem ered for the loss OF life an
| obstruction OF property y new BOILER OF hry-nors
DAYS ago placed into the dstiery OF Cyrus Edison, OF
South Broadway at the extrei'e south Donhds OF IN
city. This boiler exploded this .norning, demoishns
the building in which it had been placed: 80 terrnt
the explosion that it shook the buildings around
the distillery and the report was haze IN the norf
part of the city and at the machine shOof me hudson
River Railroad at East Albany distarse OF nearly
mile.
We visited the scene of this bearrend.ys calsnity
this morning, soon after the explosion. Tirasand Of
men, women and children were gathered shout ae
ruins, and many the sad tales that -crelstea
to US of what had been seen and heard by ,ye-wit-
ntsses Of the scene of destruction and death.
The building in which the boiler was placsswas
east of the main building, but great the force
of the steam that the branch of the safety-vaye,
piece of cast iron weighing 200 pounds, was driven
through the main buildng-carryng away the grester
portion of the wall of the extension, portion nj
the front, and found imbedded in lot on Broad
way two hundred yards off, Another piece foure
in Church street two blocks Off the doors of the boiler.
carried hundred yards NORTH and found upon
vacant lot; another piece penetrated the roof of
building facing the river, and portion was carried
into the river. Not more than 500 pounds of this ter
tun boiler were to be seen in the room il had been
placed in. The boiler building is literally demolished,
and the addition the dseTy, building thirty feet
front and three stories bigb is cut into of ruin.
to be told. We have visited many of devasta
ton and horror; but that of this morning truly
ar,sickening and almost too horrible to relate.
The remains of Cyrus Edison, the owner OF the
establishment, found in the second story OF the
distlery sixty feet north of the boer.room, between
the braces under a steep tub with portion of his
face cut off, one boot off his foot the sole OF the other
carried off, and his body horribly mangled. ;.
and to pieces that be was only recognized by his
clothing.
James Donnivan laborer on the works; his head
and legs were severed from his body.
Among the rubbish was found leg for which no
could be found and il feared that its body was
csnied into the river.
Daniel Boyle, plumber in the employ of Peter
Smith & Sons, was badly scalded, blown into the
river but was rescued from drowning. His arm was
broken.
Pheli1 McCaffrey, in the employ of the same firm,
also badly scaded, and was found with his pants
and boots stripped off.
There were quite a number of workmen in the es-
tablishment, some of whom narrowly escaped death.
was on IN tns
he found himself surrounded with fragments OF the
structure uninjured. Others were stunned by the
shock, but were not injured.
OF the cause of the explosion there are variety
of opinions but the most satisfactory is, that
all new boilers apt to foam, the engineer may
have been deceived in the quantity OF water IN the
boiler, and had also neglected to notice the steam,
pusge until the water had reached low depth, and
that the sudden admission of cold water had caused
a collapse The boiler had been tested two days be-
fore, and was found to bear double the quantity of
steam necessary for carrying on the works.
We may have chronicled the extent OF the disaster,
but from the reports gathered about the scene OF the
calamity, we fear that Others may have been blown
into the river.
The explosion was followed by an alarm of fire, to
which the fire department promptly responded. but
when they reached the place there was no fre to be
auenched. They only beheld building demolished to
its foundation, and another rent in twain.
ia Of tftyan vi oh ~
place this morning, including large number of fe-
males many of whom actuated by morbid curiosity,
were DESTROYS Of being admitted INTO the room where
Coroner Winnie engaged in holding inquests over
the bodies of the slain. Men engaged IN dragging
the river while others busiy employed in remov-
ing the rubbish. -,
1bis melancholy event occurred about O'Clock this
morning. and the sad intelligence OF the death OF Cy-
rus Edson one of the members of the Board of Trade
was received during Change hour Immediately upon
its reception, and in the obsence OF the presiding
officer, Mr.. :. Hale, at the instance OF several mem-
be- rs called the Board to order. MIR. u Is. Redheld,
after announcing the sad event and the sudden death
of one of the members of the Board, as tribute Of
respect to the memory of Cyrus Edison, moved that
Tire Board do instantly adjourn without transacting
any business. This motion was seconded by Dir. e.
w. Armstrong, and adopted.
TivoI and Washington Hose and Hook and Ladde
Companies were engaged till nearly noon IN assisting
in removal of the rubbish from the building. Up TO tn
latest accounts there owner to be found tor Tn
leg found in the distlleTy, and general impression
prevailed that the remainder OF the person was thrown
into the river. dense eoncourse OF persons were SUI
TO be seen going and coming from the scene OF the
Wslesm from Dr. Cox that Daniel Boyle appears to
be in fair way of recovering. His back injured,
ribs broken and is slightly burned lie was conveyed
home. ..,,...
Pbelix McCaffrey taken to the Hospital and Is
feared that he cannot survive lie Is not only badly
scaded but he is otherwise outwardy and nwardy In
ured. lie is receiving every attention that can be be-