The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-13
TERRIBLE BOILER EXPLOSION.
Great Loss Of Life at Albsny-ExplOsiOn Of Boiler
in Lumber Yard--several Men Instantly
KILLED. and Others Wounded


ALBANY, September ia most terrible acct
dent occurred In this city this morning, involv-
ing great loss OF life and considerable destruc-
ton OF property.
Shortly before ten o'clock an explosion was
heard IN the northern part OF the city, in that
portion known as the lumber district and very
little inquiry ascertaned that 1t was the large
saving and planIng mil OF S. q q. Rork The
sound could be heard for miles.
The establishment OF Messrs. Rork was n large
one, covering an acre OF ground, and had on IL
three large wooden buildings and one OF brick.
1T WAS ON the corner OF Water ana Lawrence
streets, near the river. Its motive power was
steam, supplied by an engine in the brick
builcing, OF which John Colen was engineer
He was man OF steady habits, ana was very
industrious.
This morning he had started up his engine at
O'Clock, and II had been going about three
quarters of an hour. with pressure of hlty
pounds to the inch when the casually hap
pened. Machinlsts and boiler-makers had been
employed tor few days before to repair the
boiler, and II was thought to be entirely trust
worthy. Water was placed in il at the firng-up
as much as was necessary.
1t seems that the engineer had some premoni-
ton OF the affair There was little boy by his
side, and he caught him by tie arm, and cried
Kun, boy, for Gods sake rum The boy did
run, and had Just got OF the enclosure when the
noise OF the explosion, sounding like park OF
artillery. stunned his ear.
All the windows in one direction were broken,
while those as near in another direction es-
capped.
inside the fence the scene was awful. Roofs
were broken down, floors torn up, beams broken,
fragments OF machinery and boiler were strewn
all over the premises and general confusion
OF all that had been used in the establishment
was visible.
But worse than all was the loss of valuable
human lives. The engineer was nowhere TO be
found, nor has his body been recovered yet. A
young man named John Rork, cousin of the
proprietor, was torn into fragments, and his
remains were collected and placed IN box.
He was working over the boiler-room sharpen
ing saws.
On the street in front was a boy of fifteen or
sixteen driving cart. fragment of the boiler
struck has horse on the neck, breaking it, and
throwing him off his feet in such manner that
his head was bent completely under his body
As to the poor boy, he Jared no better, although
it cannot now be known just how he was IN
jured, toI he has since die1 in the City Hospital.
The following ls list OF eillet:-
Godfrey Luf, German of 25 years of age
married, having several children.
John Kenmore employed as fireman, % years
of age. He was married and has six or seven
Cornelius Beye, a German, 40 years of age and
married.
John Collen, engineer, 40 years of age, mar
RED, and with four or tive children.
John Heternan, % years OLD, who ran plan
ing machine, unmarried.
John Rork, sharpening saws, 25 years of age.
He was a cousin OF the owners, and was uumar-
rleO, Dut llYeu Win DIS m0Uner,
James O'Nell, the cartman, Is or 16 years of
age. His mother was buried hut few days
ago.
Thomas Reardon, 1G years of age, was taken
to the hospital with his ribs broken. He cannot
possibly recover.
James Elliott, twenty y-eight years OF age.
Besides these, bones and portions of the body
Of another man have beer, found, but he is un-
Two men named Mcconnell and Brennan are
missing, and it is not known but others also are
lost.
man named Martin, employed as book
kecper at the adjoining lumbeT-dealer's, was so
badly injured that he had to be taken home.
The land and machinery were owned by
Messrs. Rork, with Nelson Rogers as silent part
ner. The loss is estimated at 100000, although
very little OF the lumber has been injured.
The debT,s Of the explosion covers the ground
far around, and pieces OF wood were blown
nearly over the river.
Two men were sitting on the top of a lumber
pile, and were blown of by the wind into Ghe
river. The captain of dredge boat near by
jumped in and saved one, and the other, being
able to swim, managed to get out himself
Teams arc now busy in clearing away the
wreck, and the place is gradually assuming a
better aspect. No Coroner's investigation has
yet been held.