Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-03
THE EXPLOSION
Last Scene of All-The Burial Of the Vic.
tims-Heartrending Episode.
investigation by the United States Boiler
ard Naval Inspectors Searching
Examinations.
10 NFW DEYELoPMENTs.

New YORK, August 2.-There were
few new developments yesterday in
regard to the Westfield explosion, and
the excitement has greatly subsidized.
| There is, however, considerable discus.
sion in all parts of the city concerning
| the disaster, and a great variety OF
opinions expressed as to the cause, bat
the general feeling is to wait until the
official investigation about to be made
shall bring forward all the facts before
forming a conclusion. There is no
disposition to hastily condemn any
one, but there is a general and earnest
desire for all the facts and for justice.
BURIAL SERVICES.
The sad and solemn ceremony OF
Misunderstanding the dead TO their
last resting place-Was begun yester-
/ day, and was witnessed by many per
sons whose hearts were bowed down
by the heaviest grief.
THE LAST BODY FOUND.
The body of Bernard Smith, aged
about thirty, victim of the explosion,
was recovered this morning. The
Dock Commissioners boats are still
employed in dragging for bodies.
GRAPPLERs AND DIVERS YET Al
WORK.
Although grapplers and divers are
yet engaged in searching the bed OF
the river for more bodies of victims,
no more have been found beside those
already reported, and it is the opinion
of men engaged in the work that all
the dead except the remains that have
been washed away by the tide have
been recovered.
THE sADDEsT CASE YET.
August Gravelle, of this city, and
Isaiah Abbot, Of Brooklyn, died at
Bellevue hospital this morning OF inju-
ries by the explosion of the boiler OF
the steamer Westfield. Eliza Kersch-
ner, who died last night, was doing
well until number of thoughtless
friends, who had gained access to her
bedside, informed her of the death of
her husband. Upon hearing the start
ling news she gave a loud shrek,
raised herself in bed, and fell back
dead.
THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
The official inquiry under the direc-
tiOn of Addison Lowe, Supervisor Of
New York Inspection District, into
the condition of the boilers Of the fer.
rybOat Westfeld at the last inspection,
commenced this morning in the Office
of the United States Inspector Of
Steamboats,, Pine street. The Board
of Inquiry consisted of Leonard A.
BOale, Local Inspector of the District,
and Hill, of Boston. The latter was
summoned to replace Matthews, one
of the Inspectors, who is one of the
witnesses. Captain Belknap, Inspec-
tor General, was also present. Lowe
Brown, counsellor at law, attended
for the owners of the boat. At the
opening Of the inquiry, Lowe Brown,
addressing the Board, said that they
were there to make the most searching
inquiry into the late deplOrable disas-
ter. In order to have it properly done,
and that there might be no room for
the imputation of improper influence,
he had summoned Hill from Boston
to assist Boale. Any one who looked
into the matter must see that it was
one Of those things which might have
been avoided. Great responsibility
rested on somebody, and it was for the
Inquiry Inspectors to fix It. He
would give them every facility and
assistance, and procure any witnesses
they required.
Mr.. Mathews, Government: Inspec-
tor Of Steam Boilers, was the first wit
ness. He said he gave the certificate
freely and would have travelled on the
Westfield last Sunday. He did not
try to lift the valve, because it was no
use with steam pressure, but every
thing appeared free and clear. He
tested the boiler at thirty-fOur pounds
hydrOstatic pressure, and the gauge
would indicate thirty-twO pounds.
The diameter of the boiler was ten
feet, but he had no means of knowing
Its thickness, but should think it was
a quarter of an inch thick. He never
knew of sstety-valve not working,
unless arrested by the engineer. Had
no conversation with the engineer as
10 his qualifications. She was not re-
quired to be under license in the wa
tens of the State by the construction of
the law. Even il the safety-valve
opened, the steam might have got to
a dangerous point If 1t was generating
rapidly. The shell showed no signs of
weakness; there were two patches on
the bottom. Witness served his ap-
premiership as engineer to j. P. Land;
was nine years In the naval service,
and was on the Pacific coast.
Jacob II. Vanderbilt, President of
the Staten Island Railroad Company,
stated that Of the Company's boats he
considered the Westfeld the best.
She was built by Allen & Co., and
although the Oldest, was the best, be-
cause made before the war, when bet
ter iron could be got; and he preferred
the colored engineer Robinson TO all