New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-04-07
TUESDAY MORNING. APRIL 7, 1857
Neh 0rleans Dailp Crtstsrt.
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 7, 1857.
Explosion of the Forest Rose.


The following particulars of the explosion Of the
steamer Forest Rose have been furnished US by Mr.
Edward A. Royae carpenter OF the Lfated boat, who
came down on the Ingomar.
The explosion took place at about O'Clock on
Monday afternoon, the 30h ult., whilst the boat
ascending the river about a mile and half this side
of Napoleon. The forward part of the cabin was
blown to atoms, large section of of the boilers
having aighted far back in the cabin without having
passed through either the floor beneath or the roof
above, and one of the chinneys falling the fore
CASTLE The carpenter, who was in the pilothouse at
the time, with Meldew the head pilot was blown out
at one side and fell some distance back on the hurri-
cane deck and some broken timbers. Not being hurt
much, he went down to the larboard guard and got
some others to help him let the yawl down to the
water This done, he set about rescung the persons
who were struggling in the water.
The first person rescued was Mr.. Benjamin Hite, a
passenger, who kept store eight miles from the Ar
kansas Springs. He was surrounded by drift from
the wreck, and was supported by an Irish serving
man whom he had recently hired, this man being
seated on portion of the wreck. Mr.. Hites cheek
was cut open, and he complained that his shoulder
was either broken dislocated he suffered much
that he made his pull away all the drift from
around him before lifting him into the boat. Several
other persons were taken out Of the water by Mr..
Royael and his companions, when Mr.. Tucker, the
mate of Spalding g. Rogers Floating Palace, came
to their assistance. In due time the wounded men
and other survivors Of the explosion transferred
to the steamer Arkansas and landed at Napoleon the
wounded being taken to the hospital there.
Soon after the explosion the wrecked steamer sank
in water deep enough to cover part of her hurricane
deck AS she went down party of men were at work
on the forecastle, endeayoring to eXtricate David
Thompson, the chief engineer who was lying beneath
the fallen chimney He had to be left to bis fate and
4 those who attempted to rescue him had to struggle
bravely for their own lives.
The following is a list Of the killed and wounded
as nearly as Mr.. Royael could recollect.
KiNed-Mr Benjamin Hite, passenger-died at the
hospital next day.
Capt Aliens son, lad of sixteen-body not found
David Thompson, first engineer-went down with
the wreck, being fast under machinery.
Francis Hester, barkeeper-body not found.
One of the pilots, young man named Hurt, OF
Hertz-body not found. Was native of Paducah
KY, and leaves wife in Louisville.
Thomas Ruth mate-body not found. Leaves
wife and children, who reside in the Fourth District
of this city.
Second cook, name unknown-died at the hospital
One deckhand and one fireman, names unknown
body of the latter not found.
Wounded-Alex. Mledew, chief pilot, scalded al
over, but it is thought not mortally.
Andy, the watchman, hand hurt-will probab
lose it.
Second steward, name unknown--badly scalded-
not expected ro recover.
An Indian, employed as pantryman-s -scalded an
not expected to live.
Head cook, slightly scalded on the back of til
neck. Six Or seven deck-hands and firemen bruise
and scalded to different extent.
Capt. Allen was at Napoleon when Mr.. Royael lef
and had succeeded in saving good part of the care
of the sunken boat.