The New York herald., 1871-02-23
SUEEOOATHD.
Shocking Occurrence on the
[ Steamship Ismalia.
Five Men Gloss Themselves in Small Compart-
ment, Light Fire OF Welsh Coal and
Are Killed by Inhaling the Gas
Two Others Frustrated.
"My God Dead |"

The words were uttered about three O'Clock rester.
day morning by James Gillen, fireman Of the steam
shin Isnalia, OF tho Anchor line OF steamships,
after yainly endeavorinG to awaken his comrades,
who few brief hours before, had retired to rest
In their berths on the port side Of the main deck.
The exclamation was echoed along the deck, and
few minutes later officers OF the vessel sallel out
and meeting the sailors from the forecastlc, who
had also been alarmed there hurryng to and fro.
The berth i'll which seven men were lying dead or
unconscious was reached, when
FEARFUL SIGHT
met the vision Of the spectators. Five men lay dead
In their berths and two VINO showed signs of life,
still breathed heavily, whne from the narrow com.
partment into which the night before seven souls
huddled TO sleep and rest stckly
onoR OF COAL GAS ESCAPED.
The portfolios, which had been securely fast
ened, were thrown open, and the pure breezes
wero admitted. little later members OF the
ships crew entered and carefully removed the
bodies or the occupants OF the berths to the
deck, when On examination convinced the OH.
Of the good ship that death had paid the vessel
an unreasonable visit. The quartermastcr was hur.
''--'s despatched for
The s,,,,, MEDICAL AID.
and thence the 1aFfa Sfat az r.a. No. 10 North river,
GROSS street in eager haste to hnd ddSSSarest
The first physician he called upon. the ships OIL.
GERS cay, was Dr.. Goode, OF 100 Greenwich street.
who refused to respond and referred the messenger
10 the Liberty street police station Hurrying along
the street, he espied the sign of DR.. Mer-
I'LL, Of 10 Greenwich street, who ON learning
Of the condition OF the men, repaired to the
vessel In the meantime the officers OF the vessel
had done all in their power to resusctate the men,
but they were unsuccessful. The doctor found
FIVE DEAD
and the other two occupants OF the compartment
nearly stranHled by the coal gas. Administering re.
storatives the two men, who still breathed, rallied
little and were Immediately despatched to the Gen.
ire Street hospital by Captain Spelght's police who
early learned Of the sad event.
THE CAUSE OF THE CATASTROPHE
is not clears but, discarding all hearsay evidence 1t
appears that I've Of the occupants OF the compart.
ment, or section-all OF whom are fremen-retlred
about ten O'Clock, having first kindled fire of
Welsh coal in tin Kettle tnat they had found on the
deck fhe unfortunate men, however, failed to take
the precaut on To
OPEN THE PORT HOLES
and the ventilator IN the panel. Later In the night
the officers report at mdnight-two OF the OCCUPANTS
Of the compartment, who mad been ashore az the
Theatre, returned, sober, and retired to rest A few
minutes alter twelve O'Clock John Haynes, fireman,
was relieved by James Glen, and retired to his
berth III the room where for SO many hours his COM
ganons had been inhang the fumes OF the fatal gas.
He was the last who entered, until about three
O'Clock, when Gillen already stated entered for
the purpose o. securing some tobacco and discovered
WERE THE MEN DRUNK ?
1t having been declared that the death Of these
men was The result or a drunken Spree reporter
OF the HERALD yesterday afternoon boarded the ves-
eel, and, inaulring for the oiIicer In command was
reerreu TO Captain Brown, who stood upon the hur-
Iicane deck. In answer to queries the captain stated
That ne was so worn out by the excitement that he
could not answer questions and politely turned the
reporter over TO ?urser Henderson, with whom ne
mad an interview. and from whom the above details
were Obtained. Iurscr Henderson, "A Custom House
Of1icer, and other gentlemen, who In the cabin
were especially loud In their denunciation of Inc
iDhnmanitv OF The first physician applied to, and
asked that the HERALD reporter should especially
REFER TO his acton The doctor, however, may not
be so black he is painted ana may be able give
satisfactory reason for not boarding the
were drunk, all the oicias present declared that.
iar as they could eaIn all were sober and that with
the exception Of McNevn, the unfortunate victims
were steady men, ana that
ALL HAD GONE TO BED SOBER,
1nclndin8 tho TWO VINO returned late from the
theatre.
THE VICTIMS
The following are the names Of the victims, With
all particulars In the possession OF Purser FENDER
James McNevin, married, OF Argyll Scotland,
f0rty-sev n years Of age
Wiliiam Todd, single. OF Glasgow aged twenty.
nine years.
Francis Aiken, single, Of Glasgow. aged twenty
William Matheson, single, of Glasgow, aged TWEEN.
Archibald swan, SINGLE of Oban Scotland aged
twenty-five years.
John Haynes, married, oil county Clare, Ireland,
now In hospital, likely to recover.
Adam Gait, sngie of KIlmarnock, Scotland, in
hospital, likely to recover.
Haynes was the party relieved by Gillen about
midnight, and the last to enter the fatal room.
Coroner Young later in the day, held an
INQUEST
on the bodies OF the deceased. Captain Brown COM
mander or the vessel, Robert Merry, chief engineer
ana their testimony !opcd the facts gwen above
Dr. Marsh mace post morsem examination and