The New York herald., 1868-06-19
DREADFUL CATASTROPHE.
Fire in the Bowery and Explo-
sion of Engine No. 8.
Five Persons Killed and Twenty.
two Seriously Injured.

At few minutes past nine O'Clock last evening the
fre bells sounded an alarm Of IRE near the corner Of
Canal street and the Bowery. Engine No. was
promptly on the ground, when IL was discovered
that the premises No. So Bowery were on IRE. The
engine shortly got to work, and the water had been
turned on the burning premises but short time
when loud explosion was heard and the street
became almost instantly filled with steam.
This was just the time that number Of people were
coming out Of the Bowery theatre. and from the
fact that large concourse of people were seen
ming from there was thought at first it was in that
building the explosion took place. Too soon, how.
ever, the dreadful nature Of the accident was as.
ceraned The groans of the dying and mangled forms
that lay stretched upon sidewalk and In the street.
the shrieks Of frightened women hurrying across
and down the thoroughfare. running they knew not
where, in wild excitement; the confusion and tur-
mOil incident upon occasions Of great excitement;
the unmanageable prancing Of the horses attached to
the street railroad cars-all helped to render the
scene one Of most indescribable confusion. But
when this in q measure subsidized and an examina
ton OF the cause for all this excitement was made
a scene Of most sickening horror was revealed.
From what can be learned of one who was con-
venent to the theatre at about the hour stated
ascertained that Engine No. was standing
almost opposite to the pit entrance. 1t had full
the re at No. SO Bowery. As Is usual In such cases.
o large number were collected round the engine
nearly all boys composed principally Of those poor
little urchins that most do congregate round the
theatre at night All Of sudden a loud explosion
was heard, volume of steam spread over the
streets, moments silence, and then followed q
scene most sckenng In its details. 1t then dis
covered that the boiler Of the engine had exploded
Upon the ground lay the PROSTATE bodies Of over
thirty people. Some, however, were more scared
than injured, and some arose and mingled in
the crowd. Close by where the engine stood lay
four manged corpses, mutilated in the most fearful
manner. The brains Of one were dashed out on the
sidewalk the entrails Of another protruded and the
face was dreadfully dsfgured, another had both his
legs broken and was badly scalded while another,
poor little b0otblack was run over.
Many OF the wounded were injured badly,
nearly all had broken limbs, and it is
feared that the majority Of them have sus-
tanned internal injuries which may prove fatal.
A short time after the accident took place,
platoon Of policemen from the Sixth precinct was at
the scene Of the disaster and succeeded in keeping
back the crowd that by this time had swelled to
thousands. Another body OF men from the Tenth
precinct shortly after arrived, and these took
charge Of the dead and brought them to
the station house in Ludlow street, near Grand
As the bodies lay there in one Of the back rooms
the dim light of q single gas jet shedding It's rays
upon their ghastly features the anxious and hurried
gances OF friends who came to seek among the
dead some missing one, and as they left thanked
their God that there still was hope as they failed to
recognize among the stifY, cold forms those they
sought, the scene was sad in the extreme.
In the Sixth precinct station house, where num-
Der Of the wounded were brought previous to being
conveyed to the hospital the number OF people who
assembled there to make inquiries after those they
thought were injured by the dreadful explosion was
very great AS soon as they found they were sent to
the City Hospital thther they bent their steps In
anxiety and trembling to ascertain perhaps, the
worst anticpations their anxiees had conjured up.
THE KILLED
were brought to the Tenth precinct station house.
Up to alate hour last night their names were not
ascertained.
No. about twenty years Of age dressed in black
clothes. high cheek bones light hair and about the
average height; brains dashed out.
No. "A bootblack, about fourteen years OF age;
black coat and pants. Internal injuries and legs
broken.
No. 3-About twenty-one years OF age; high fore
head, light hair; was dressed in dark ciOthes Had
an broken and both legs, besides internal inju-
res
No. 4-About twenty years OF age. Was dressed
in dark clothes and had on checkered shirt Badly
mutilated about the body and face dreadfully dis
figured.
During the night these bodies were conveyed to
the Morgue.
About half-past twelve O'Clock last night a boy
about fifteen years of age, whose name could not be
ascertaned died at the City Hospital from the inter.
nal injuries he sustained.
THE INJURED.
Patrick W. Hand, engineer of steamer badly
scalded and bruised about the body
John Conway, fireman.
Edward Roach, fireman; scalded and arm broke.
John Garrison, injured by the shock and badly
scalded about the face.
Coils Lightbody.
Lyon vetter.
John Mcclure, badly scalded and thigh broke; re.
sides al rs Mott street.
Frank Clarke, only slightly hurt.
James Sullivan.
Louis Storms, bad scald in the lower extremites.
James Macken, scalded and badly bruised in the
body.
Thomas Keating.
Theodore Bates, compound fracture Of both bones
| left leg; lives at 500 Grand street.
Stephen woodbridge.
Frederick Rosco, 1856 Clinton street, arm broke.
James Broderick, scalded, and leg broke.
Frank Evers, thigh broke; lives at 10 Bowery.
Thomas Cronin, scaded; lives at II Doyer street.
Thomas Foley. scalded and bruised.
Robert Schoer.
James Laden, aged thirteen years.
Thomas O'Donnell, aged seventeen years.
The explosion is supposed to have resulted from
lack OF water in the boiler the iron plates becoming
over heated and the cold water being suddenly pu,
In generated species OF gas as well steam, there
by causing the explosion, which blew the boiler into
fragments many Of which were cast long distance
| from where the engine stood.
An inquest will be held on the bodies by the Coro
ner to-day and inquiries as to the cause OF the ex
plosion will be made.
The nremen succeeded In connning the fre to the
fourth story. The loss Of Mr.. Nuetman, who occu
pied the fouth floor, Is estimated at about $500
partly insured. The fth floor ia occupied by Josept
Ernest hat manufacturer, whose stock was damaged
by water and smoke TO the extent OF $500; insured
g.. A. ia 49,