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

which was at the line passing through tho center OF the
vessel from wheel to wheel At tho farther end the
flooring Of the main deck was lifted several feet from it's
position as far as the of tho stern extended but
between this and tho middle % the boat everything had
been blown high in air. and had then fallen back into
the hold In confused mass the smokestack falling Oh
the top Of the heap. The boilers in plain view
almost from the first, and to be thrown dag
onaly across the boat that one end reeted several
feet beyond the line OF the keel
The numerous persons who witnessed the explosion
say that for moment the air above the boat wac filed
with human beings and flying of timber, to
hight OF over 80 feet and that then followed cloud OF
steam and smoke. Then the shrcks and groan Of
the victims. The water around the boat and particu-
larry on the east side, thcay strewn
with persons struggling for life. Mr. Rob
erts, agent Of the Associated Prcss, standing
front Of the barge Office and near the piling
Of the Slip when the explosion occurred He leaned
close 10 the png under shelter Of beam, 10 protect
himself from falling fragments. Then, M soon as pos
sibe, he, with others who huuedy came out of the
Barge Office, began the work OF rescue. Mr.. Roberts
alone. it is stated, dragged out Of the water seven
women and children who still alive. James OCon-
nor lad, OF No. 10 Pearl-st, was fishing within
few feet OF the westaed, and, escaping injury from
the shock, he succeeded in rescuing two olnl-
dren. One Of the mon engaged in this work
said, The water 30 full OF them, we couldn't help
getting out" An Instance OF the KIND OF service
generally rendered given by Charles Doane, boat
residing at the foot Of Jacksonst who voluntarily
remained all the afternoon, with Biz toat graphing Tor
bodies.
TIE ENGINEERS STATEMENT.
The engineer, Henry Robinson, colored man was re-
ported to have disappeared after the accident ana was
believed either TO have been killed to have concealed
himself through fear Of personal violence
from the friends Of the unfortunate passen-
gers. He was found however, when sought 10y
Police Inspector jameson and Fire Marshal Ready, and
when questioned manifested perfect coOuess and self
possession. Capt>Braised, the Ferry superintendent,
vouehed for him a trusted servant OF the Company
and q good engineer. Robinson II very intelligent
looking man. about 40 years OF age and prcpossssed IN
his favor all who heard him speak. He said
al have been employed by the Company for l6 years
was in the re-room FIVE minutes before the explosions
asked the fireman. Patrick Flnnegan about the water,
and he said It all right went TO the boiler myself,
and found the water above the third cock; went up
through the engneroom and noticed that the gauge IN
dicated q pounds pressure OF steam then went on
deck; in two minutes came back and just az was
going down the stairs 10 the engine-room
the explosion took place cannot say what caused the
explosion the boiler had patch on the part where the
break was examined 1t last Thursday and found It IN
good condition"
The fragment Of the boiler which thrown ont upou
the Barge ONCE platform was pronounced to be 80
plainly an unsomd piece Of iron, upon examination by
several persons who presumed TO be good Judges
that Inspector Jameson caused 10 20 be removed 10
Police Headquarters for safe-keepin9. 1t was
stated that some Of the deckhands aserted
that the engineer had been absent from bis post for at
least 10 minutes instead Of fye, stated by himself
There was also much upon the fact that while
the Inspectors certificate gave IS pounds pressure OF
steam az the limit OF the allowance, the engineer adj
United thst the boilers subjected TO a pounds pres
sure five minutes previous to the explosion.
The Company proposed late in the afternoon, to re-
move tho westAeld to Staten Island; but Inspector
Jameson snterposed and forbade her removal beyond
the limits OF the county. She hereupon placed In
Charge Coroner Young aud tOwed to the dock OF the
Novelty Works at the foot of Thireenth-st The
Coroner required that everything board should re-
main undIstmbed until after the iDqueet.