Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-08-21
Terrible Catastrophe.
Steamboat Explosion and Loss
OF Life!
A MAN AND BOY KILLED NINE 9TH.
Frs INJURED.

| ERS INJURED.
Yesterday Sunday morning, between eight
and nine o'clock, the most terrible calamity
in the loss of life and limb that ever befel this
community, happened by the explosion of a
little steamer about three miles below the city.
The boat was the one which We noticed in our
last issue as having just been finished, de-
signed for fishing craft At a few minutes
before eight o'clock it left the foot of Syca-
more street with party of twelve men on
board, to 90 on an excursion to New Boston.
When opposite the residence Of Samuel W..
Barrows, on the Island, it landed to take him
aboard, as he was one Of the builders, and it
was desired that he should witness its first
trip. While moored to the shore, some re-
pairs were being made to the pump, which
DID not work satisfactorily, when the explo-
sion took place with terrible effect, manglng
and scalding eleven human beings in horri-
BILE manner, one Of whom was killed instant
| ly. A boy has since died, and at least five
of the remainder are in critical condition.
| The names of the victims are as follows:
Samuel W. Barrows, who had just stepped
on board, instantly killed. His body was
torn into three fragments and thrown a con-
siderable distance on shore. Both legs were
torn off-one at the thigh, the other below
the knee.
His son, Charles Barrows, lad about ten
years of age, was also blown ashore, severely
scalded and otherwise injured. He is con-
sidered dangerous.
VIM. H. Mineere, aged about Is, severe
ly cut in the face by pieces of the boiler and
also scalded. He died few hours after being
taken to his home. A younger brother stand
ing near the beat on shore escaped unin.
jured.
VIM. D. Ward, blacksmith, about forty
years of age, left leg broken below the knee,
right foot badly crushed and body severely
scaldsd. Recovery considered impossible.
Benjamin Middleton, one of the owners Of
the boat, left shoulder dislocated and badly
sca!ded on breast and leg. May possibly re-
cover.
VIM Middleton, son of the above named,
scalded; supposed to be injured internally
Case hopeful.
| VIM. B. Fish, another owner Of the boat,
scalded severely on the right side, but prob
ably not dangerously.
Fred Kemptner, butcher, about thirty years
of age, severely scalded in the face and on
the left side. Recovery doubtful.
Geo. Terry, blacksmith, severely cut in the
face arm and leg also scalded-but will re-
cover.
Samuel Miller, the engineer, badly injured.
Maurice Washburn, son of Enoch Wash
burn, aged about II, jaw broken. Wiilprob
ably recover.
| For men on the stern of the boat escaped
without injury, viz: S. NJ. McKibben, VIM.
Browning, Capt. John L. Middleton and John
Geisenhaus. Capt Middleton had just step
ped into the wheel house when the explosion
occurred The top of Mr.. Kibben's hat
(straw) was torn nearly off by portion CT
the wreck which passed over his head. R.
Musser, who had gone with the party that
far, had just stepped ashore, intending to
walk back to the city. He was within thirty
feet of the boat when the explosion took
place, but received no injury
The explosion was distinctly heard in the
city, many persons supposing it a discharge
of cannon in honor Of victory. AS soon as
the news reached the city, several hundred
persons went to the scene of the accident to
afford assistance to the sufferers. Drs. Hershe
and johnson were the first physicians on the
ground The wounded were brought up in
carriages and wagons, except those who
lived in the vicinity.
The boat was a very small specimen, being
only fifty feet in length and seven in width,
and costing $1,000. The boiler was made to
answer the purpose of boiler and steam
chest, within one shell. 1t was literally blown
to atoms, and the fragments show that it was
old and lacked cohesion. The boat was not
injured materially, only portion of the
guards and upper works being demolished
1t is claimed by those on board that there
were bat forty pounds of steam on, and water
in the boiler to the upper guage.
We understand that Coroner's inquest
was held yesterday afternoon, over the bodies
of Barrows and Mineere, and verdict rem
dered in accordance with the above facts
Daily, 18th.