Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-09-20
Terrible Steamboat Accident
Explosion of the AlIena Hay.

Terrible Steamboat Accident
Explosion of the Allena Hay.
We have the painful duty this
week to record another of those ter
rible steamboat cxplesions,-the
more painful TO us as the victims of
it were mostly our citizens and
neighbors.
The Allena May, running as a
daily packet between this place and
Guyandotte, while on her upward
trip, last Saturday, exploded her
boilers near the head of Raccoon
Island, about six miles below here
,She had landed to take on n passen-
ger, and was in the act of backing
out, when the explosion took place.
One boiler was thrown into the river,
while the other was literally torn
into shreds, pieces of it being carried
hundreds OF yards away from the
wreck. The cabin, to near the mid
die of the boat, was completely de-
stroyed, and blown overheard.
Following we give list of the
deld ami injured The wonder is
that there were not more killed, as
they .'erc all blown up with the boat,
some lesding in the water, some on
the bank, and some falling on the
deck of the boat.
DEAD.-John B. Shepard, of Gal
lipolis, passenger He lived short
time, but totally unconscious. His
skull was fractured in two or three
places.
M. Worley, deck hand, killed.
A. Hurlburt, colored fireman. fa-
tally injured-died Sunday morning.
INJURED. - Hamilton, Captain,
bruised about head and hip-was
blown into the river. Not serious.
j. +. Downing, Clerk, badly burnt
and bruised about head. Doing we'll.
Andrew Overall, mate, burnt about
/ head-not serious.
Robert Hamilton, watehman
strained in the back.
Alfred Kinder, pilot, considerably
bruised-was blown up and fell on
the deck of the boat.
John W. Hamilton, engineer stri-
ker, was badly Jared.
Benz. Humphrey, steward, head
bruised
Fred. Boyee, cabin boy, slightly
injured in hand.
Isaac Wood, bar keeper, slightly
injured.
Ezra II. Flowers, Of Guyandotte
badly burnt aud bruised. lie is Al
the residence of his son in law in
this city, and IS being wei cared for
Mr.. Flowers is well known in river
circles as a prominent engineer.
w. S. Locke, of Mason county
West Va, seriously burnt and bruis
ell. He is at the National House.
A. Griiiiths, of Millersport, burned
considerably about the head.
Doct. w. f. HannaR, of Swar
creek, slightly bruised.
Polly Tilton and child--slightIy
injured. The clothes OF the former
caught fire, but, being thrown int
the river, they were put out withou
doing serious damage.
UNIEJURED.-John Oliver, engi
neer, and chambcrmaid.
There are reports Of others being
missing, but we could trace them tC
no reliable source.
The Victor No. 3, and the Fawr
No. 2, being at our wharf when the
news of the explosion reached here
Immediately went to the scene OF the
disaster, and rendered all needful
assistance. The Nora, Capt. Blagg,
also stopped at the wreck, and
brought some OF the dead and woun.
ded to our city.
The Allena May was originally the
Gen. Meigs, built by the Government
for the Quartermasters Department
in the Kanawha valley. There was
no insurance-loss about $1,000.
AS to the cause of the explosion
there are of course variety of rea-
sons. We have heard some state.
ments in regard to the matter, that
if true, show almost a wilful care
lessness, On the part Of some OF the
officers of the boat, of the safety ol
the lives committed to their charge.
We trust the matter will be investi-
gated by the proper authorities, aad
if there has been any gross neglect
Of duty on the part of any one, let
the law deal with him accordingly.
P. S. Mr.. Lock died on Tuesday
night.
~ The Chicago Republican