Smyrna times., 1871-08-09
Appalling Steamboat Explosion.

On July 30th, the most shocking accident
that has taken place in New York City for |
many years, occurred at the foot of Whitehall
street The ferryboat WeStfeld running to
Staten Island, was about leaving the slip when
an explosion occurred, by which between 80
and 100 persons were killed or drowned, and
about lbs wounded. There were between POO
and 300 passengers aboard, large number OF
whom we're sea led on the second deck, just
over the boiler The first intimatiOn the pas
sengers had of the explosion was dull, crash
ing sound, followed almost instantaneously by
the rush of escaping steam. The main deck
was forced upward, heavy beams were torn into
fragments and the air was filled With human
beings and DEBRIS Many persons were blown
up to hight of from 40 to so feet, and thrown
into the water. The pilot-hOuse was hurled
into the air distance of 80 feet. The pilot
was in the house at the time, but strangely
enough, escaped serious injuries. Many who
had not been injured by the explosion were
severely scalded by the escaping steam. Small
boats were engaged in the rescue of those who
fell into the water. Some so or 60 persons
were picked up l. is believed that from 50
to 40 persons were drowned.
The scene that followed the explosion was a
horrible one. GroanS and shrieks of agony
came from the wounded and dying. Women
and children were among the victims, and In
many cases bodies were shocklng!y Scaded and
mutilated. The boiler had been inspected
June 18th, and pronounced all right. A pres
sure of twenty-five pounds was allowed. The
engineer, who escaped unhurt, says there was
plenty of water in the boiler, and that the
guage indicated twenty.seven pounds IT steam
| The fireman was badly scalded, and is unable
| to give any account of the explosion. The en-
pineer is mulatto, and has been employed by
the company for sixteen years, The Ferry Su-
perintendent youches for him as trustworthy
| servant.
The injured persons were removed as soon
as nossibe to hospitals and cared for. Almost
every house in the vicinity was thrown open to
the sufferers, and a large number OF physicians
were in attendance. A living child, clasped IN
a dead mothers arms, was taken from the
water Immediately after the explosion. One
of the dead men brought up on the east side
of the Westfeld appeared to have made an at
tempt to save the life of another while losing
his own, for his hand was found to be tightly
clutching woman's bonnet. -, :,
One woman who had been terribly scalded
cried out to the firemen, "Shoot me for God
sake, shoot me- One little child, scarcely
more than two years of age, had been blown
into the air, and was found clinglng to one OF
the paddles of the police boat SenecG;, In
some cases whole fanatics were either Killed or
drowned, and in a few instances, like that OF
street, only one member escaped; The father,
mother, and sister Of little Frederic were ere
f frightfuly scaded. The work Of graphing for
the bodies was begun Immediately, and con-
tinued throughout Sunday mig hit and Monday;
The places where the wounded were gathered
, presented shocking scenes. In some instances
persons were completely parboiled, the, skin
and flesh peeling of. Six members OF the
Phillips family occupied buggy on the IOr-
ents son and daughter, and grandchildren.
: Only one remains alive or conscious Joseph
Ouch was accompanied by his wife and three
children. two of whom were lost. Mrs Esos,
! ser lost three children On board the ill-tated
5 steamer were delegation from Syracuse, com com
, men, and the Chief Engineer. They had
j come to the city to select an engine tor the