The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-11

Capt w. f. DAvIDsoS-Sa0or" Rum
sew was carrying freight for my line. Here
are her papers. The Inspector tests our boil
ers to the extent, yof 22O pounds and then
gives her license to carry about two-thlrds that
amount. This license gives her leave to car
ct which time the Inspection was made and
pressure Of 200 pounds put on. Captain u.
here explained the theory, according to bis
idea, of the cause of boiler explosions, which
we have not room to insert in full.
H. SLINGLAFF-.Sworn.-I am Cd Clerk on
the John Rumsev. The officers of the boat
where all in the cabin when the explosion oc-
Cured. We had ten deck hands. do not
know their names.
The Second Engineer told me that he had
on 1873 pounds of steam. There were no direc-
tiOns given regarding getting up more steam.
We were not racing. We could have easily
passed the Albany when at our full speed,
whereas she was gaining on us just then. L
know there was plenty of water in the boiler,
and remarked to the Captain that there was
plenty of water.
HUGH McGRANN-Srorn-I was deck hand
on the Albany. was asleep in the forecastle
when one of our men called me up to ''see
race" l got up and saw the Rumsey. She
seemed to be passing us. l DO not know her
speed. About three minutes after this the ex-
plosion occurred. was blown into the barge
on the side farthest from the Rumsey. l fell
alongside one of the dead bodies.
The Jury then adjourned, and proceeded to
the house of VIM. Haggerty, corner of 4th and
Sibley, where he was sworn and examined.
He testified as follows:
/ was fireman of the Rumsey, and was
standing on the barge at the time of the explo-
sion. The boiler had nearly 40 pounds steam
inst h1fO fho no otv o1va
had twolwrenches hung on it. did not see any
thing else done to it. They weighed more
than ten pounds They had been on just be-
fore the explosion. Don't know whether they
were when she blew up or not. They always
kept a small one hanging on. They were put on
to keep the steam from blowing Off l had
seen small monkey wrench put on some.
times before-but never saw this big railroad
iron tongs hung on before. was fireman but
was off watch. John Rutmeyer was on watch.
He was killed.
Q.-Was any extra exertion made to get
along?
A.-They were shaking her up all they could.
about 40 pounds steam on all the time. The
Albany stopped at Daytons Bluff to head across
the river. and We stopped behind her. l was
ordered to put on the injector, and to stop
working it when we started again. There was
no water in the top gauge The engineer did
not TRY the second one.
l can't say what caused the explosion. The
gauge was ten pounds light.
Q-Was the Rumsev racing2
A.-They were showing her oil they could.
The Captain came down stairs and offered the
fireman $40 if he would fire up 80 as to beat
the Albany. heard this. 1t was good bit
before the explosion. The Rumsey was doing
her best. She wanted to beat the Albany to
the wharfboat. There was patch On our boil
or IT J1sed tn leak a little
l think the boiler was in good order, but that
the water was too low There was stick over
the safety valve. Iput it on, but it was not
on when she blew up.
The jury then proceeded to the room of Capt.
Harris at the International, and took his evil
dence.
CAPT NJ. W. HARRIS. syorn.-I was in cur
cabin at the time of the explosion. don't
know how much steam she had on. We were
going slow. From the rate Judge about 12O
pounds of steam was On. do not know that
her steam was increased as we got near the
city. l know of no object to do so. did not
directions to get the boat ahead of the Albany.
| have no idea why the explosion occurred.
thought there was plenty of water in the
boiler, but it may have been fOaming |
never saw more careful man than our
second engineer, who was on watch at
the time. The fremen are under the
control Of the engineer and receive orders from
him. did not throw out any inducements to
increase steam, and never offered the tiremen
any reward for so doing. / know of no attempt
to get ahead of the ALBANY. do not know Of
any contest to reach the wharf-boat first.
The inquest was here concluded, and the
Jury retired to make up their verdict. They
found as follows:
That the said persons came to their death on
the fourth day of November, 1864. at said
county, by the accidental explosion of the boil
or of the steamboat John Rumsey, whereon
said persons were as she was running toward
the leyee or landing of the city of st. Paul.