The Democratic advocate., 1871-08-03
Steamboat Explosion.


boat. Fearful Loss Of Life Men, IRo-
men aud Chiidren Killed aud Wounded.
IA Shocking Scene Of Disaster.
A despatch from New York on Sun
day night gives the; following account
AS the Staten Island ferry boat
West6eld was starting from her dock at
the fout of Whitehall street, next the
Battery, at 1880 this afternoon, with
heavy load, composed mainly Of the
usual class of Sunday excursionists, to
the number Of about three hundred, her
boiler burst with tremendous explo.
sion, shivering the entire upper works
OF the boat into thousand pieces, and
laying open the whole forward part of
the hull from the very keel. The spec.
tacle on the illlated vessel, subsequent
to the explosion, is beyond description
a great yawning abyss stretched from
abaft the engine room close to the stern,
aud the deck seemed to have opened
like sepulchre to swallow its load of
precious human freight in the dark hold
beneath.
The dead aud dying were lying about
in every direction among the debris of
broken timbers, spliaters aud heavy
machinery. From amidshipS to the cut
water the bout presents vast hold filed
with fragments OF spars, beams aud bul,
warks and fragments of iron. Many
persons were blown bodily into the air,
falling into the water. Men, women
and children, still alive, were brought
in, scorched and bruised, and multilated
to such degree that it seemed almost
impossible life could remain Among
the dead lay the body OF u man with the
back of his head absolutely blown of ;
it is said by some to be the fireman.
One man, John Major, the pilot, was
thrown from the forward pilot house
twenty feet in the air, falling on the
boat and escaping without saeatch
John Freelard was captain Of tho boat,
and Harry Robinson engineer, The
boiler was inspected by John X. Math,
ews, United States Boiler Inspector, on
the 18th of June, and pronounced safe
Henry Robinson, engineer of the West,
field, stated that he tried the cocks in
the boiler few moments before the
explosion, aud found water at the upper
cock. He states further that at that
time he looked at the steam gauge, and
noticed that there were twenty seven
pounds of steam on her boiler, also that
steam was blowing of at the safety valve
showing the boiler was carrying the full
extent allowed by the certificate. liz
further states that the boiler was re
paired last winter. The cause of the
explosion was probably the breaking O
the joints Of the place with which the
boiler had been patched on the real
end. The first bell had just rung wher
the explosion was heard. The scene o
confusion aud horror which resulted
battles description. The boiler burst
carrying away the whole part Of tht
boat in front Of the steam pipe, aut
scattering the debris on all sides. Men
women and children, horses, wagons
boards and chairs were hurled into tn,
air Nothing escaped that was on tht
forward part Of the boat,
The passengers iu the rear rushet
for the entrance Gu masse, but very few
escaped without some injuries. Th,
scene was frightful, aud many faiutel
away from fear. Bodies, debris anG
portions Of the wreck fell among the
passengers, aud increased the confusion
Many people fell into the river, and
being unable to help themselves, wer,
drowned. Boiling water was scattered
in all directions, sc,ldiDg those who
were unable TO get out Of its reach
The wind was blowing inward at tn,
time, and forced the water Gu the par
of the boat near the dock, where tn,
greater portion Of the passengers haC
fled to. The injured persons were takel
to the Park Hospital, to the First Pre-
cinct Station House and to Bellevue
A great number were taken to the hos
pital in the Park, which was soon filed
and they were forced to send the re
mainder to Bellevue. The screams o
the wounded were heartrending, auC
the hospital was terrible scene to be
hold. The wounded were lying every
where, some in beds, some on Blankets
and others were walking around groan
ing, moaning and crying.
Later accounts say: Opinions diffel
widely as to its cause, but there is 1
strong suspicion that the engineer wa,
criminally negligent, aud that his con
duct demands thorough investigation
by the auth critics. The list Of caus ual
ties shows that those on board the i'll
ia,ed steamer were most likely largely
composed Of the working people of Tho
city, seeking recreation, who had with
them their children, wives and mothers
whole families we're, there fore, slaughter
ed, and the prepoderancc of women and
little children is fearful.