Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-09-22
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.
Particulars Of the Explosion of The
Steamtug Agnes on james Riv-
er-FiVe Persons Killed.
From the Petersburg Index. I1thl

From the Petersburg Index, Ilth.l
The steamtug Agnes, owned and cons-
manded by Captain Lawrence, of R1chnond,
while towing three schOOuers down James
river, exploded her boiler in the channel op-
posite Jordon's Point, some three or four mil ss
below City Point, about half-past four o'clotk
yesterday afternoon. The boat was complete
ly wrecked, five men We're killed and two
very seriously wounded. We have learned The
following particulars OF the disaster:
The tug Agnes left Richmond yesterday
morning with three schOonerS in tOW--O1e
small one Mary Norris lashed TO her side,
and two large ones in her rear, drawn by
ropes. They passed City Point early in the
afternoon, reaching Jordan Point about the
hour above stated. The officers and crew of
the tug consisted Of seven persons-Captain
Lawrence, his brother, Charles LaWrence-
Mr.. Barytes Enroughty, the engineer, and
four colored men employed as fremen, wheel
men, etc.
THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION
was such as 10 tear the vessel to pieces, seat
tering the debris in all directions, and sending
the machinery 10 the bottom of the river. The
light was seen and the sound distinctly heard
at City Point.
ored nremen, Jefferson Baxter and Henry
Phillips and John Tyler, one of the cpIOIed
wheelsmen, We're killed. 1t is supposA that
the death Of three Of them was instantaneous
either from the scalding steam OF the flying
timbers, as nothing was seen of them after ihe
explosion. one OF me coiored men was seen
10 rise feebly struggling on the waters sur
face, but before assistance could reach him he
sank from sight.
Captain Lawrence, who was standing on
deck at the time, was thrown some thirty feet
up in the air, and while ascending was strU elk
across the forehead by a fragment OF The
wreck, which inflicted severe cut. he fell
into the water and was fortunately rescued
without further injury. His brother, who was
at the extreme front of the boat, jumped of or
fell into the river AT the moment Of the eXTilO-
sion and escaped injury.
VERY SAD CIRCUMSTANCE
connected with the disaster was the death Of
Captain Griffith Jones, Of the English bark
Lucy, just arrived nom Liverpool with
cargo Of salt, consigned to merchants in
Richmond and Petersburg. The bark is lying
below Harrison S bar, and Captain Jones was
returning to her from City Point, where he
had been to telegraph the arrival Of his vessel
ana cargo. He was instantly killed. He was
represented 10 be - gentleman Of fine pllys-
ique, OF genial manners and OF much intslh-
gence.
Willis, one Of the colored crew Of the -ug,
had his leg broken. and cOlOred boy, en-
plOyed on the schooner Marry Morris, was
very badly, and, il is feared, fatally wounded
about the head. They were both brought TO
City Point, where Dr. Richard Epes rendered
all Necessary surgical attention.
The schooner alongside the tug was cOI.sid-
erably injured ana Immediately cast anchor.
Her captain and his wife were thrown over
board, but were rescued unhurt.
@Great credit is due the officers ana crews Of
the schOOners in tow for their assistance
to the surFf yoTs. They lowered their bOats at
once, ana succeeded in rescuing all who we're
not Killed, rendering them every service in
their power. and sending them up to City
Point, where better accommodation coula be
given them.
The tug Agnes was employed entirely in
towing ON James river. She was worth sew
eral thousand dollars, and VIII prove a total
The news OF the disaster caused great excite
ment in the city last evening