New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-31
ACCOUNT BY ANOTHER REPORTER.

As the Union ferry-b boat was about to leave
the landing at the foot Of Fuonst at p. two
bearing their coats upon their arms walked rapidly
through the rong passengers and took seats in the
cabin. One OF them talked in frantic way as he
walked, and supposed to be intoxicated When
seated they were surrounded by few curious inqurers
10 whom broken sentences, they told their story
the explosion and Of their escape Crimson botehes
upon the skin about their and ears showed the
effect OF the scaldng steam Areporter of THE TRIBUNE
who was on board Immediately recrossed the river,
wondering as be did at the apparent indifference OF
the passengers to condition Of the and to the
fact that great catastrophe had evidently taken place
On the way 20 the Battery, through Frontst, several
slightly scaldcd persons were met, ana confirmed inc
ranidv snreading accounts the disaster. Soon
ons were bearing away the bodies of victims from
the scene OF horror. From numerous houses In the
vicinity wero heard the cries OF those who had
becn injured and had been carried within doors.
A great multitude assembled about me Staten
Island Ferry landing, and was increasing In numbers
nt every moment The people were silent. and gazed
with the fascination OF horror at the wreck before them,
and at frequent bringing up OF bodies from the DARK
waters There were numerous fearful men and wailinR
women and children who had suffered DcreaVenent'
The notice femen, and volunteer boatmen ana others
labored zeaously clearing away the debris, graphing
for bodies and bearing away such as were recovered
In the Eastern Hotel near the landing, were u or 10
victims most OF them terribly scalded or bruised ana
vri,iu in agony Almost every house in the row was
generously thrown open, as 1t became necessary, 10
receive persons In many actually injured, and m
many others only stunned and bewdered by the shock
Of the explosion and their plunge In the wafer large
number of children received in this way.
GRAPHING FOR DROWNED BODIES.
n, tbe n,attoru in front OF the Barge Office dookin
out, were abundant evidences OF the violence OF the
exnlosion The floor was Uttered with fragments from
tbe OF boat, broken chairs and setees
bats and bonnets and the farther side, at distance
the exploded boiler, weighing about 100 pounds. and
,es,nc ON end as IL had fallen Upon the water, near
the vessel were score two OF small boats the men
on hoard which were throwing out graphing hooks in
| se.,ch of bodies Every few minutes, there was
! ,n.h Of those upon the platform TO the
waters edge at the cry, subdned tones. Another
,orndw Then there would be q hush as tho stretcher
was brought forward and the carefully lifted out
~ che water and taken away. Now was the body OF
man. docrntly dressed In black cloth and clucmng
cigar ia his fingers; now woman win har di7heNee"
| and Garments torn; and once u little girl in simple
holiday attire. with paid face ana garments ohoe
white but now dscoorcd by the turbid water AT first,
some of the said there were about 10 bodies III inc
water there they think the number was greater
but the graphing continued until at sundowh 70 o'ues
Ind been found rising tide produced s"lit cur
rent toward the East and North Rivers, ana no d'uo
| swept away other bodies
APPEARANCE OF TIE EXPLODED BoAT'
most Of those who were allowed 10 pass the Inc Oh
no,co witch KENT the crowd bnck assembled upon tho
Wcstncd and looked on while the freinen ana poiee
,,,u sonrt sue bodies might he covered In the VAST
L,ap Of rubbish which had faon back No iho hs'o u