New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-28
FATAL CASUALTIES.
TERRIBLE BOILER EXPLOSION.
TUG-BoAT BLOWN TO ATOMs-Two Nj
KILLED AND SEVERAL WOUNDED.

A TUG-BoAr BLOWN TO AToMs-Two MRN
KILLED AND SEVERAL WOUNDED.
terrible tug-boat explosion in the East
River involved yesterday the loss OF two lives and the
wounding Of large number OF persons. Just before
D. m the steam-tug Epsilon engaged In towing out
the clipper ship Seminole from her berth in the Slip on
the upper side Of Pier No 10 East River near Burng
SLIP The tug about feet outside OF the pier when
the officer in command OF the Seminole shouted 10 tho
captain OF the tug to STOP OF the hawsers had
fouled Tie engine OF the tug stopped but scarcely
had this been done when terrific explosion occurred
Those on the pier and vessels near by heard
sharp, loud report. followed instantly by
rush OF escaping steam from the tug.
Some Of the persons on the tug were
thrown considerable distance into the air. and fell into
the water several yards from the wreck The upper works
Of the tug badly shattered and the entire forward
part OF the boat blown out Portions OF the boiler
ana woodwork were thrown long distance, falling on
the pier in Front and southss and among the vessels
lying In the adjoining slips All who were IN the imme
date vicinity thrown down by the force Of the ex
posion, and many persons were injured by the flying
fra gments.
When the first feeling OF alarm had passed away, a
dozen moro boatmen pushed out, and succeeded in
picking up two Of the crew. Bernard Curry, the en-
gineer, and John Heaney, the cook. The latter was
almost unnjured but the engineer very badly cut
about the head and body. Two men sank with tho
wreck. The affair created the most intense excitement
IN the vicinity and tie piers and shipping soon
swarmng with spectators eager TO learn the extent OF
the calamity and the names Of the killed and injured
Gilman Hallenbeck, deck hand OF the tug and the cap
tain's nephew, was thought to have sunk with tho
wreck nc entered the Second Precinct Sat onhouse
the evening and said that he sitting In the stern
of the boat when boiler exploded and, being thrown
into the water, easily swan ashore
Patrolman John l. Sullivan OF the Second Precinct was
in south-st Pier No. 90 when he heard the sound
~ fha MI He at 10 Q.
before he could reach the end OF the pier the wreck OF
the tug had disappeared beneath the surface OF the
water All that visible portion OF the wheel
house and fragments Of The shattered and splnterod
upper works. Gu his way TO the wreck he IN sed
persons who had been badly cut about tho face and body
by fragments and various missiles many OF
which were thrown considerable distance
by tho force OF the explosion. large iron
bar was hurled far into tho air, and, striking
the pavement at Buringslip and southst. reoounded
and struck Charles Mitchell, old Sandy Hook pilot,
residing No. IG9 Bergenst Brooklyn, IN the right leg
decorating it severely This fragment must have passed
over the ggng Of several vessels and trayersed dis
tance Of more than 500 feet.
In short time ambuances were on the spot In charge
of the surgeons OF the Park Hospital aud the injured
men were removed thither The following is list Of
those who supposed to have sunk With the wreck OF
the tug-boat:
Edward Haenbeck, captain.
Patrick Mccormick. fireman.
THE WOUNDED.
The following is list of the wounded at the Park Hos
pital:
Bernard Curry 49, engineer of the tug boat OF No.
III CrOsby-st; fracture Of the ermu-, dslOC alton OF
knee and serious cuts about the face he Will probably
die.
Charles Mitchell age g. Sandy Hook pilot OF No. 100
Bergenst, Brooklyn; fracture OF right leg, and foot
lacerGted.
Anderson 0lab. age 90, OF the ship Seminole
late OF No Hamilton ST. lacerated wound IN rSut aru,
and cOntusions on body; he will probably die.
John Bishop. age 3d. second mate OF the ship Seminole
late Of No. 1913 RoOseyeltst fracture OF the left arm
VIM. Parsons age TO- OF No. y Vanderbiit-aye Brook
Ign, ship joiner compound fracture OF the right leg.
William Kenney, age 49, 'longshoreman, VI No. 100
Bayardst., confusion back
VIM. j. Peese, earman, OF No. 16 Vandam-st., severe
confusion the right shoulder; after his wound was
dressed he was taken home.
Several Others, whose could not be ascertaned,
were severely injured. and taken homo by friends.
Several articles OF dress and trunk containing clothing
belonging to Heaney found floating in tho water,
and were taken TO the Beekman-st PolceStatlon.
The Epsilon belonged to George Townsend Of No. 81
Gouyerneurst. She old boat, but overhaulet
about three months ago. and placed in thorough repair
she was valued at about $4,000 With reference to tho
cause Of the explosion nothing can be learned until the
wreck is raised. The engineer the ouly who could
throw any light the matter, is dciliOus, and Will
probably die, The wreck will probably be raise in
few DAYS as it lies in shallow Men engaged
Yesterday afternoon land last evening In graphing Tor
the bodies OF the lost