The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-26
Our San Francisco Correspondence.

Our San Francisco Correspondence.
San FRANCISCO, April 8, 1859.
Terrible Steamboat Erploaoa-Names of The Ktlla and
Wsur1ded-Hoy'ibe 8aybarsty Of a Shipmauer-Turib1e
Tragedy at Sun Jose-Taree Men Ki1ed-Arriral Of Gen.
Waher-AGatrs in SonoYa-Legtslatiue Proceedin9-
General Ne0s, DC, &c.
The past week hos furnished an unusual amount of
deeds Of violence and disaster In striking contrast with
the character Of the State for MONTHS the last few
dnys brinnl OF horrors Homicides robberies and
many other offences have been perpetrated dsclo-
sures made Of unparale I'd nhumanity Then most
porablc accident took place the bay last Sunday morn
Ing by which several persons lost their lives arge
number were injured. In the early days Of California;
when lax administration Of the laws tho rule,
and OF bad passions abounded in every parts
of the State, crime and disorder were the natura
results of such condition OF things; but we
have organized society, churches and ministers
in abundance Courts presided by able and upright
judges all the elements that make country pros
porous and happy IL is for these that feel
grevea at the late outbreak Of passions injury
which reputation suffers abroad. Recent occurrences
only OF temporary nature, and with the r deterni
nation in the pubic mind TO punish the offenders, they will
not be repeated again. Few communities are exempt
from these periodical outbreaks
STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION IN San FRANCISCO BAy-Sx LIVES
Los1-SAMEs OF TIE KILLED AND WOUNDED
On Sunday morning. the Sd lust at about half past nine
O'clock the ferry boat Contra Costa plying between this
city and Oakland burst her boiler, causing the death Of
tive persons ana the injury OF large Of others
The disaster was upauestonably the result of racing
There are two ferry lines In operation between
Sub Francisco and Oakland and the spirit OF
opposition and rivalry ran high between them.
On tue morning In question several hundred OF citizens
wcre on board pupoeing to spend the Sabbath in the
country Each COMPANY ,ar,ed their boat from This side
at the same moment and the race across the
hat II hoA,.t ba said hat quch had
before and tba: at least Of the passengers on
board on this occasion were females
Mr. BENJAMIN. T. billiard one of tne injured furnishes
HraM with these psrtcuars-As one huudred yards
rom tbe wharf the Contra Costa was gong Mt full speed
which showed that they had high of steam on The
Oakland folio ano the race became exciting On
reaching Oakland Bar, Mr. Hiilard remarked to Mr.
srdsau, the engineer OF the Contra Costa, that
the Oakland would probably beat them, 10 which
Mr. Brdss replied that he thought too. He then said
90 Mr. Billiard, Zone OF the 6remen away from his posi-
and wsh you would hail MIN and tell MIN to return"
1Hllaro compi,d, and hailed the fireman twice, but
recs,ved no apswer-just then the boier exploded In
passing the steam to comply With the Of the
hut vsoIy risiog with rapdity, and vent snddeny
mp to sx,y pounds. Mr. Brdsat, the engineer, ,mme
diaely slowed down. but It lie thought the fireman. DO
ing away from his posi, had allowed the get too
low IN the bo,er and wbep the engineer slowed dowo
the steam generated with intense raody and caused the
When intelligence was dissemu aed of the disaster the
excitement TIN ougbon the city was ntense Thousands
OF persons hurried TO the wharves 10 learn the partc
lara The Coutra Costa could seen lying the bar
her smoke stack aud warehouses gone. The oakland
WIS near by, taking of passengers Soon aftor two
STEAMBOATS, proceeded TO the OF which towel the
wreck OF the Contra Costa 10 Siu Francisco The follow
ing Is a list Of the killed, no far as known-
LIST OF THE KILLED.
David W Cahy, passenger, street contractor and for
uerly assistant Ia the County Surveyors ollie.
Mitchell u. Smith, oarkeerer on tho boat he WAS
blown 10 pieces oapd recognized as belonging 70 do
ceased was found inlme iieely after the Disaster
berry s. Ostrondsr. lately from New York, whore he
Engaged The looking glass BUSINESS He WAS Are
nan OIL The Contra Costa,
Joseph Holster Egsseneef anueaer in the United states
MINI was Severely sc,ded ana died in the stsNrs Of
Mercy Hospital yes'erJ,v
George Mcdowell fireman Ia VIVA close 70 the boiler
when the exp,osSon to,k place