New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-17
NO MORE TROOPS FOR MONTANA.
THE EXPLOSION AT CHAUTAUQUA LAKE

THE BOAT AND ITS PAssENGERs-THE DEAD AND
woUNDED-THE ENGINE RUN BY THE FIRE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF STEAM PROBABLY
THE RESULT OF CARELESSNEss.
JAMESTOWN, n. Y, Aug. 15.-Yesterday
afternoon 81 O'Clock the boiler of the steamer Chau-
tauqua exploded while woOding at Whitneys Landing,
Chautauqua Lake, six miles below Mayville The
Chautauqua is small side-wheel sboat, with single
locomotive-Aue boiler set forward nearly under the
pohouse. There about IS persons aboard at the
time of the accident nearly everybody who had como up
on being either the wharf the upper deck,
forward of the plothouse watching the operation OF
loading and all in position, therefore, to get the
full effects Of the explosion. The steamer had left
jamestown at o'clock pr her customary trip up the
lake Mayve miles distant Stopping at Whltneys
she had nearly completed loading when the accident
occurred The force Of the explosion seems to have been
in every direction The boiler went all to pieces like an
exploding bomb, and not piece of it was left nearer
than rods from the boat The whole forward part OF
the boat TO the wheels blown to spinters the ribs
were blown from the keel, and the "crutch" or bow
hurled several rods distant shore. The rest of the
boat is complete wreck. The captains office on the
lower deck at the extreme stern is demolished.
OF course the list OF casualties under these clrcum
stances ia unusually large Eight are dead up to this
writing Tuesday, 10 M and 10 are more or less in
jured. The following is a list of the casualties;
Mrs c. cochrane Bufalo blown Is rods distant into
the lake, and not found till this morning. ,,ow, ,,roo
Henry Cook lcoloredl, Mayslile' NJ \, pio"h three
Mrs Perry Akin, Burt, N. Y, instantly killed; head
Mrs Jcrusha Hopkins, westheld, instantly killed:
Julia Hopkins, scalded and crushed died at o'clock
Eunce Hopkins same injuries died at 1O 80 The last
two are daughters of Mrs. Jerusha Hopkins and COM
Eliza W. Eeis four years old, daughter of DanelP
Eels, President Commercial Bank, Cleveland, scaided
and blown into water; lived I'll morning
INJURED.
Alvin Plumb woshed left leg broken and burnt about
W. s. Cameron, Jamestown jaw broken, and head in
jured and scalded, hands scalded.
James NJ; Murray, captain tmgh crushed ihree lids
John S Bemus, Bemus Point Chautanqna Lake badly
a brother Of Matt p. Bemus.
Cornelius Shaw, jamestown, clerk, shoulder and side
VIM Smith, fireman. jamestown, bruised and burnt,
Joseph Brown, Bemus Point scalded and bruised, in
teTnaiy and externally VIII probably de. and
ternay probably fatally.
Fred. johnson, pilot, molder
Albert Southwick, fireman not serious.
BENJAMIN Garfield, Bemus Point hand injured
Mrs D. p. Eells, Cleveland; scalded mother of the
There we're other casualties not serious. Some went
away, and their names were not learned.
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
was standing half way between the pilothouse and
the bow on the upper deck directing operations heard
tremendous explosion, and found myself lying In the
mud at the or the woman strucK on tne
beach about two rods from me this Mrs Eels)
she called for husband he answered from the stern
of the boat saying he safe she said, THANK God;
heard and shouts Frost recognized Smith, the
fireman. told him to save the child Eliza Eells)
Shaw bartender in the water struggling; told Smith
to get him ont in little while came to told
them to help the wOmenrst inspected the boiler about
five minutes before the explosion; the steam gauge
showed co pounds; the water-gauge showed enough
xyata in he hot he
was made by Bryan, Dillingham; Co, Titusyile had
been tested at 100 pounds machinery worked well all
day at the time OF the explosion William Smith, JOS
Brown lothian Bemus, Caleb Norton, Fred. Johnson,
and Albert southwick were the dock Benz Garfield
the rail below, feet from the bow Cook sat
the erutch.
STATEMENT THE FIREMAN.
am the regular fireman the engineer was sick and
running the engine; there were 60 pounds steam
on when left TO help wood up tried the water cocks
1--we minutes before all right the dock Is feet
from the boiler at the time OF explosion first found
myself the water 10 feet from dock scrambled toward
shore heard the little girl in the water screaming for
her mother got her out then helped Shaw out heard
the captain directing me went to him he called for
Sened vent TO see and trace Of the or
the spot where 1t had been got plank and helped the
boats books and money from the ruins OF the office am
not licensed engineer have had charge Of the engines
frequently captain cautioned 10 Keep safe several
times that day.
THE HON. W. S. CAMERoS's STATEMENT.
Was standing on the lower deck. at the saloon door
about 10 feet from the boiler Shaw me, and
John Burns was just inside of the door knew nothing
until came 10 onsc0usness and found myself
me bank, dripping wet and covered with blood was
helped 10 "a house ana careu ior
BENZ GARFIEJDs STATEMENT.
Was on the rail at the time OF the explosions seemed
10 be lifted suddenly feet in the air. saw others flying
some above me fell 80 feet away in the water and got
myself out when the landed here nere serenity hre
Do,,ds Of steam on the steamgauge was down In the
hold Ia dry NV clothes having been In the water helping
TO buld dock 80 took particular notice OF the
am willing TO make oath to the pressure OF steam indi
Gated. - A.. - . 4,
Another gentleman says that he saw the gauge at the
same time and thinks it marked 50 pounds The force OF
the explosion aud completeness OF the destruction OF the
boiler aud boat boat indicated that the boiler sound,
and exnoded from oyerpressure OF steam IL was prob
ably making minutes AFTER the gauge was seen
to mark rs pounds, ample Time 10 carry ~ "P "esou iuS
rated resisting power. -. -.
Medical and other assistance went from JainestoWn
Mayyile and other points az messengers could
bring the news The steamer jamestown WA Az May
willie without steam She went 10 the scene OF the disaster
as a. possible brought home the wounded ones
living here reaching that place at O'CLOCK a. IN. Inc
farmers at the landing did all IN their power LOT tne sur
ferers Their houses completely sfipPed Vi peuns
nen and everything that could be used or urhssins al"
relieving the wounded. -, -. ~ ..,u,,
was with her husband On their wedding tour Wheh tne
boat landed her busbaid reading at the stern she
asked him the bow and see them Woo up ne
refused She pLyfully snatched the book IRON hi ~
ing. "If Won won't 90 with shant Vol you rean,