Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-01
Death of the Dean of ct. Pauls
Emigration-Julus Tavre-
Ehiers Sentence Of
Major.
Market Reports.
Reported Expressly for the ARGUs.l

New York, July 3I.-Coronor Keernan
will hold an investigation in few days into
the causes of the explosion of the steamer
Westfield yesterday. 1t is intended that il
shall be searching and thorough, and the
opinion Of several experts with reference to
the condition of the boiler, the material of
which it was made, amount of steam carried
at the time will be obtained. The Jury will
be composed of business men, or practical
mechanics, able to render an intelligent
verdict according to the evidence, and place
the blame for the appalling calamity where
IL properly belongs. The jury will view the
bodies at tae morgue. No theory is offered
by the officers of the company for the disas
ter. The engineer of the Mortified says
that when the Westfeld steamed out from
the Island she had four cocks of water, and
from the fact that only q slight report &C
the explosion, he thinks there
could have been but email head Of steam
on.
Stevens, Secretary of the Staten Island
Ferry Company, says that there was a Gov
nment safety valve attached to the boiler
The CoIlectCr asserts positively that there
could not have been more than two hundred
and fifty persons on board the boat, the
West6eld being an extra boat, and but few
persons were aware that it been placed on
the line. He holds that it was not possible
for 30 many to have been on her as though
she had been on q regular trip.
Mayor Carroll. Of Syracuse, says: 81
wAs standing on the main deck, leanng &
against the rail, reading e paper. Mr..
Eckel and Mr., Sherlock were standing be-
side me. Mr.. Phillipson and Mr.. Lewis
we're sitting in the forward cabin. Sudden
ly there was terrific explosion, the vio
lence Of which hurled me into the air, and
fell into the hold among confused mass
of dead and dying men, women and children
| was nearly covered with debris and al
most blinded by dust and dirt recovering
in a moment, | CROPPED my wsy through the
darkness, and clambered up without assls
sAnce. Is seemed as thoogh everything
| took hold of was red hot. My hands are
dreadfulIy burned. A Jet of steam struck
me on the forehe ad, and some falling WOOD
or iron bruised my ankles as / was groPln g
my way out. The scene was frlghtfuI, and
the groans of the wounded were appalling
With the explosion the air seemed ren
shrieks. l finally made my way through
the debris, and as the cloud Of dust cleared
away gained the deck, and was assisted
to the landing. There was no premoniiion
no sound of escaping steam, but while al
were gaily chatting or looking about, tht
explosion took place with g heavy, rum
bling sound, like the blasting of rocks.
saw people hurried hi,her and thither, ant
then with me all was darkness for a mo
ment. hope never to behold another suct
q fearful scene.
Mr.. Sherlock's q statemeBt;-l wss stan
ing along side Mayor Carroll smoking
Cigar and watching the people, when l va
suddenly hoisted into the air, 1t seemed q
if never should come down, but did, an
fell headlong into the water sinking l kne'
not how deep. The splash into the wate
brought me 10 my senses, and being an e2
cellent swimmer, rose to the surface. NJ
head came in contact with something hare
and believing had risen under the bottom
of the boat, held my breath and struck OF
toward light, reaching the surface. l wa
helped out of the water by the people on tn
wharf.
The Mayor and his associates maxim
their way through the dense crowd, wer
driven to the Grand Hotel where the
wounds we're dressed by DIR. Fisher. Whe
visited by the reporter last evening the
were comparatively comfortable and hope
be able to endure journey home by Il
morrow. Mayor Carroll was 5olstered In
large arm chair, mis- hands were envelope
in cloths which were continually moisted
soothing liquors.
If one half the reports are true, the 60
ernment Inspectors should bs indicted by
grand Jury. Had the examination OF Il
boiler been thorough the disaster could
have happened. It seems the engine,
apprehended the explosion, for he says
looked at the patch on the cylinder la
Thursday. The examination of the cyii
der, which was blown out, showed that t
iron had been eaten out ar round the rive
until it was as thin as four sheets of pap'
, Graphing for dead bodies Was keptsup
night and ia still going on. Shortly eff
}, midnight, Warden CreuDan reported over
dead bodies in Bellevue, and about 60 p
: sons most horribly scalded and bruised, n
/ ny Oh whom will doubtless die. He said Ii
over lV'ooo persons visited the hospital af
oerK, anu mat the whole force of surgeo
, and assistants were completely worn out
- Late yesterday afternoon the West6,
i, was taken III tow by her sister vessel, I
r North6eld, and is to be taken TO the foot
f. Eighth street, East river for repairs.
The character Of the explosion was 81
as to tear away and entirely ruin half of
u vessel. Nothing can be seen but one m
Of iron, timber, hats, shoes, parasols, umbl
las, and pieces of torn clothing of every
scripsion. The windows and doors ats