The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-05

eacriaco of Human Life-Feur Persons Killed
and Others Woanded-A Boas De@slished
~ the Expiosion Of TOrpcd0-Particuiars

About noon on Sunday IN explosion occurred at
the wreck OF the steamer Scotland, In the lower bay.
which caused the death Of four men and the wound
ing c. several Others II win DO remembered that
some time since Q contract was entered into with
the United States government by the Neptune Sub
marine Company TO remove the wreck Of the large
steamship Scotland. which still lies under water
IN the lower bay, short distance inside OF Sandy
Hook. About three months since operations were
commenced, and the company sent down to carry
on the work the propeller William I. Truxton Cap
tain Churchill, and four yawi boats about the size
Of ships iongboat for the use OF the divers and
the other employed In raising the sunken vessel
During the recent storm the expedition left the ves
sci and anchored In sandy Hook dock until the
weather should again become calm. On Sunday
morning. about nine O'Clock, there being prospect
Of finc weather. the steamer cleared out from the
dock and proceeded to the wreck; but before leaving
the government magazine was visited and two
torpedoes containing eghty-nve and a half pounds
OF gunpowder each were placed on board one Of the
small boats. which was towed along At some dis
lance from the steamship.
AT THE WRECK
After obtaining the torpedocs and making fast the
line attached the small boat the expedition started
for the scene OF operations. Arrived there, two small
boats, one containing tho torpedoes and the elec-
trical apparatus, and the other the divers and the
air pumps, were fnoored over the wreck, the
steamer standing or from them and coming to
anchor some 600 feet distant. Operations were at
once commenced by sending down DIVER named
sterne who, after being below The water q short
time signalled those In the torpedo boat TO send
down one Of the blasting charges. His signal was
complied with and after fixing the torpedo under
some portion Of the wreck, at a distance Of about
twenyeght feet below the surface or the water, no
charge.
e4 THE EXPLOSION Aaf
This intelligence was given to Captain Churchill,
who, together with George Moore aud "a mes Obey,
two seamen constituted the persons upon the boat
which contained the ELECTRICAL apparatus and the
other torpedo Before attaching the wires connected
with the submerged torpedo to the galvanc battery
the sparks from which would ignite the fuses In the
charge Captain Churchii expressed an opinion that
the wires attached were sufficient TO igni-
ton But nevertheless the two boats were pulled
away from the wreck about $50 feet, distance by
the by. only half much as Is generally allowed
and the electric current passed along below the
water. An explosion Of the submerged charge ensued
directly OF great force that both boats lifted
from the water into the air distance OF at least six
feet Hardly had the sound OF the first discharge
passed away when the secured torpedo IN the boat
also exploded, blowing the boat in which It was
lying TO atoms and capsizing the other, which
was beng used by the divers. Captain Churchill
and the two men who were In the boat with him
were blown 10 atoms, ana diver named Louis
Juger, who was on the other boat, had his brains
Knocked out and was instantly Killed. as Is sup
posed, by falling fragment OF the shattered
boat All the men In the divers boat were
thrown into the water at the time Of it's capsizng
but were fortunately rescued. One OF the divers
was standing in the boat ut the time, with oil his
uniform on, except the helmet and one loaded shoe.
which he had just sufficient time to cut on His |
heavy clothing soon caused him to sink, hut hauling
chung until taken or by boat from the steamship.
The other men in the capsized boat, curiously |
enough also chung to baoy, and were rescued In |
the same manner.
THE CAUSE
The cause Of the explosion Ii wrapped In mystery.
Some OF the saved men are Of opinion that Captain
Churchill attached the wires OF the unused torpedo to
the battery; butt Ia generally thought that the expo
sion was caused by the conclusion consequent upon
the explosion OF the submerged charge. This
the more probable, M the fuses employed are OF
very delicate nature and easy OF ignition, also
from the fact that no other theory will
explain the almost simultaneous discharge OF
both torpedocs. From tho fact that Cap.
tain churchill was On electrician OF acknow-
lodged ability, and had held a position Of that |
the United States Navy II il generally
believed 10 have been altogether accidental oc-
currence, which, under the circumstances could not
have been prevented.
THE KILLED
As already stated, fouI mems lives were sacrificed
by tins frghtful catastrophe-namely, Captain
Churchill, the two seanen and the diver, who was
killed by some portion OF the falling debris. II is
supposed that the three first were blown 10 atoms
nothing WAS seen OF their bodies after the explo-
sion and this superstition Ia supported by tho fact
that portions OF human entrails were discovered
different parts OF the other boat. The diver who
was killed no doubt had his skull broken a. brains
are also spattered upon the gunwale near which the
unfortunate man stood. Boats were sent from the
steamer and every endeayor made to recover the
bodies but AL search was In vain.
Captain Churchill leaves wife In very straight
ened circumstances al the Belmont Hotel, where
for some months deceased had been living. He
VIII be mourncd by large circle OF friends,
who always found him pleasant, genial man, and
by his employers VINO win find it dialcult 10 eli hh
place. James Obey and George Moore the seamen.
were both single and boarded In Cherry street.
Louis Juger, the diver, was married man, without
family also resident OF the East side.
Several OF the men In the boat which was saved
were or less hurt but fortunately none OF them
seriously. Their wants have been attended " by
the company.
TIE INTELLIGENCE.
Owing 20 the very foggy state OF the weather the
steam propeller william T. Truxtou found 1t I'm
possible 10 reach the city with the mournful news ON
sunday night she was therefore anchored under
Staten Island until yesterday morning. when she
came nm and anchored at the foot Of Bridge street.
Brooklyn. Tho oniccrs Of the company held an In
voslIgaton INTO tho circumstances attending the ex-
plosiun yesterday morning, but did not chct any
further particulars than are given above.
AN A1SciT HOTEL Thief CAUGHT.