New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-13
TERRIBLE AFFAIR IN ALBANY
EXPLOSION or THE BOILERS OF H. J. RORKB'S FLAMING
MILL-TRS OR TWELVE PERSONS KILLED, AND
MANY INURED-TERRIFIc FORCE or THE ExFLo-


MANY IMURED-TERRTIc FORCE or THE ExFLo-
SION.
Special Dispatch to The ~ Y. Tribune.
ALBANY. Wednesday, Sept. 70 lsG6
This morning most amentable and distressing accident
occurred il this city. Aboug o'clock the boilers attached
to the planingml Of IL. G. Rorke exploded, destroying
the building killing ten twelve persons, and
wounding several Others The mill and undergrad
situated on Water.st. corner Of Lawrence. extending
back 10 the Hudson River and occupied about an acre
Of ground. The mill proper consisted Of one main build
ing built Of brck with several large wooden sheds on
either side At each end Of the building al immense
chimney built Of brick and reaching hight Of some 70
feet from the ground. Ia the main or bnck building The
boilers were situated together with the principal saw and
planning mills Here most Of the employees were work
mo and hence the large number killed. The
boilers two tubulars, rent asundeT and threwn
several hundred feet perpeudculay IN the ascending
and descending, crushing and tearing the building asun-
der. The engine a very large one was lied nom us
bed and thrown several feet One OF the large biick
chmneys was completely demolished and the other par
italy so. IL the whole mill is complete wreck there
being scarcely piece Of timber any portion OF
the machinery Of any value left tho ground Strange
10 saw none OF the woodwork took fire IL is supposed
the immense amount Ct brick and rubbish smohcred the
fires The soppage Of the clock in the Office Of the firm
adjoining the mill at 925 would indicate that the eKpo-
sion took place at that hour and It about that time
that eruption resembling that OF volcano was seen IN
that direction by gentleman who was passing over the
Safest bridge The explosion as 10 be Felt
not only in that vicinity but in the central portion Of the
CITY, Soon after the catastrophe hundreds Ocked 10 the
scene OF the disaster and the work Of clearing the rub
bsh commenced and many Of the bodies Of the dead
were exhumed. Up 10 this dark, nine dead bodies had
been found and taken out Of the runs Their names are
as follows:
John Rorke nephew Of the proprietor Of the mill j. Heer
man, j. Elliott J. Fennimore. NJ LuG j. McConve and 10
seph Brennan James ONel upon BIS cart,
passing Lawrence the tine Of explosion and
both be and his horse killed by the ang Of the steam
chimney upon them
Among those missing and whose bodies are known to be
still in the ruins John Cullen engineer C. BeyT fire.
man. and Thomas Leighey, merchant.
James Patton and four others were taken from the ruins to
the hospital badly wounded. Several persons who were IL
abe vicinity at the time slightly injured by the falling
materials. We could gather the names of only few Of
them. Edward Martin, bookkeeper for Mr.. Bender was
slightly injured by falling bricks 1hos Madden, who was
in small boat in the basin was injured
~ portion Of the building. He did not know what
II vas Rodney Vosc IL the mill but few moments
hGfore the occurrence, sharpening knife ana had not
reached his Office before be heard the explosion The
Canse Of the explosion is definitely known, but
thorough investigation vii be made ~ the coroner.
Owing 10 Improvements going on in tire vic.1ity the
engineer has for some time experienced much iAonFe-
Liencc in getting supply II water from the basin.
one Of the boilers seven and the other nine years
Old. They IL rlmleflcss pieces, some Of them
Indicating that the pressure the boiler was immense
Sheets Oflrol either torn from the ryes or Aervets
torn from the iron. ID q hgh-lressu!e engine that
uscd and we've "a that - pounds az steam
necessary % successfully work tho machinery ~ the mill.
MessTs RoTke : l1ss viii pro baby exceed s-OODl.
The calamity has east quite % gloom over tLe city.
Most OF the parties killed wee JpoHng men WIG IeaYe
t.ti-- iaen iaIge ism,LeI