Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-11-04
TERRIBLE CALAMITY.
Esoiler Explosion ON the Steamer
St. .BOlan. ........
From the N. Y. Tribune, Goth ult

1t again becomes the duty of the reporter
to dip the pen in blood, and give ghastly
record of disaster. Shortly after o'clock
on Sunday moning, one Of the boilers of the
splendid Albany packet st. John exploded,
when Just below Bulls Ferry, on her trip
downtthe Hudson, flooding the CABIN floor
with scalding water, instantly killing six
persons" mortally wounaing another, and
badly scalding and mutlating many more
Shortly after the accident, $50 of the pas
sengers were. taken off the st. John by the
ferry 7bbat Morristown. r....'
p The steamer managed to reach her pier,
at the foot of. Desbr6sses st, few hours
later, by the use ofsonc boiler Here she
was Immediately, boarded by the police, and
number Of physicians who proceeded to
dress the wounds of the sufferers, and pre-
pare for burial those who were happily past
all suffering. -..,.~ 4i 3N.'i'
THRILLING ACCOUNT BY AN EYEWITNESS.
A gentleman who was on board the boat
at the time of the explosion gives the fol-
lowing thrilling account: n t"e. .'
l think the accident occurred a few min
utes before 6 IN the morning. At least
remember that it was just go minutes before
when | arose from my berth to dress N.Y.
self, as thought we must be nearing the
city, and | wanted to be on shore as soon as
possible. My stateroom was situated in the
forward part of the cabin, on the port side.
looked out of the window and saw that
the western sky was just Frightening with
the reflection of daylight from the east, and
then, opening the door, stepped out into the
saloon, which was dimly lit, only one or
two burners of the main chandelier being
lighted. '' ~ '.''.' .'.
had hardly reached the center of the sa.
loon, on my way out to the open air, before
heard strange report which thrilled me
with unaccountable apprehension. 1t was not
so loud AS 1T was deep and terrible. / once
heard some gun'cotten explode in close
apartment, and the present report resembled
that nearer than anything / can compare it
to, 1t was Immediately followed by terri
BILE shock, whichlstook every plank in the
steamer; and before | could make up my
mind what it meant, saw the side of the
saloon, short distance in front of the
wheelhouse, smashed in as if by cannon
shot. with terrible crashing sound, ac-
conpanied by one wild yell which rings in
my ears at this moment with terrible dis.
tinctness, La ... ....., ~. ........-'-
A great cloud of steam rushed through
the aperture, speedily filling the entire sa-
loon; but first saw shapeless mass flying
across the cabin. This proved to be a corpse
Of child, who had been sleeping in state
room No. 1913, think, although am not
certain. heard the engines stop. A great
light illuminated the saloon through the
drifting steam. / gave myself up for lost,
and Tor moment could not stir, The steam
was almost Immediately followed by the
vast bodies of hot water, which seemed to
burst into the saloon III perfect deluge.---
II covered the floor SO rapidly that had
just time enough to spring and gain hold
on the main chandelier 5efoTs it was seeth
ing unaer my feet. y ,sy i,I .If..It. In,
lha few seconds was securely perched
above the water, but / witnessed scene of
destruction and horror which will abide
with me to my dying day. The water did
not spout nor gush into the saioon--it abso-
lutely poured IN. Had it not hadthe appear,
ance OF being boiling hot should have
thought that we were sinking, and that the
broad riyer itself was engulfng Us. ss. s,yf 7.
Then there occurred . Terrible scene
among the passengers, most of whom were
asleep In their berths at the tinis Of the ex