Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-27

Z ltrom the Chicago umeS lIthI
A frightfuI accident occurred on the
river, about 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon, by the explosion of boiler on
one of the tug boats plying between the
city and Bird geport. One boy has been
killed, the en- gineer is injured beyond
all hope of recovery, and several others
are seriously hurt
Since the explosion Of the ssronawan-
da, " comparatively few casualties of the
kind have occurred at this port, and
these not of very alarming nature.
The catastrophe of yesterdayis certain
ly not of such magnitude as that of the
'tTopawanda," in point of pecuniary
loss, but the bodily hurt sustained by
individuals is nearly as great.
The tug-boat t'Success," owned by
Messrs. Hosier & Walker, Singer & Tai
colt, and Norton & Co., was steaming up
the river yesterday afternoon, in tow of
of sorne canal boats, which were being
transported to Bridgeport. There were
several people on board the tug besides
I the ordinary hands. Three boys had
| jumped aboard at one of the tag
Offices, and were enjoying sail
up the river A lady, the wife
of Mr. Jackson, "a saloon keeper on
| South Water street, accompanied by the
wife of Mr. Jackson's bartender, were
also on the. boat, on their way to
Bridgeport, for the purpose of looking
after little boy belonging to the
latter, who had gone amissing. Inclu-
ding the crew there were eight persons
on board.
When the ting arrived at the Union
salt dock, on the sonth branch of the
! river, the boiler suddenly blew up with
\ terrific explosion, carrying almost all
the deck of the vessel with it, The
boiler itself burst into thousand frag-
ments, portions of it falling down, lit
orally i'll showers, upon the canal boats
behind, into the river, and upon the
4 banks ON each side of the stream. The
CRATE bars of the furnace were hurled
into the air. The pilot-house, which
stood directly above where the boiler
; was situated, was broken in pieces,
while, singular to say, several persons
who were inside at the moment, escaped
with their lives, although all were Sc
verely injured. Fortunately, no one
happened to be near the river when the
accident occurred, else some loss of life
might have been occasioned by the
falling fragments, which were found
afterwards scattered far and wide.
Every person on board the boat was
more Of less injured. 1t seems almost
miraculous that any OF them escaped
alive. The captain of the tug, Job
Hickman, was severely injured in the
back. andE scalded in different parts OF
the body. lie was removed to the resi-
dence OF one of the owners, where he
how lies in very critical condition.
Patrick Welsh, the engineer, who YVES
below at the the time of the accident,
is very badly injured. He was convey
ed to the Marine hospital, and last
night was said to be beyond all hope
of recovery. James Welsh, the fireman,
!, and one of the deck hands, We're both
seriously hurt about the head and body,
but their wounds are not said to be
dangerous. Mrs. Jackson and the
other lady are very much scalded, and
otherwise injured. with the falling ma
terial. They were both removed 10 the
residence of Mr.. jackson, where they
received every care and attention.