The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-11
Statement of Captain Bartlett, Of
the Steamer Panther.
MEETING WITH THE VESSEL.
Under Sail, with Flags Of
Distress HOisted.
The Captains Story Of the
Boiler Explosion.
TWENTY-0NE men SCALDED TO DEATH.
ST.. JOHNS, N. T

ST.. JOHNS, N. r., April 10, ls74.
The intelligence OF the explosion on board The
Arctic steamer Tigress was brought here last
evening by another steamer which had returned
from the fishing grounds ON the Labrador coast
At first 1t was reported that the Tigress within
few miles OF this city when the catastrophe oc-
Cured, and that alter the rescue OF the surviving
members OF her crew she had gone down. This,
fortunately, proves TO be incorrect. Since her
turn from the expedition in Bafrn Bay in search OF
considered sort OF marine prodigy, an object OF
reverence to the fishermen, owing to her marvel
lous escape from the bergs and hurricanes she then
encountered on the northwest coast OF Greenland.
was fitted out for seal fishing trip, and was re-
turning South at the time with her "catch,n when
the terrible disaster deprived her OF all steam
facilities.
CAPTAIN BARTLErT's STATEMENT.
Early this morning had an interview with Cap
tain Bartlett, OF the whaling steamer Panther, the
vessel above referred to. He did not think there
was any doubt that the Tigress would reach land
in safety, as he did not believe the vessel was ma
terialy injured by the bursting OF the boiler. De-
son Friday last, the Sd instant, the Panther was
in longitude 81 deg. Is min. west, latitude so deg.
% min. north, on her return to st. Johns. The
lookout reported steamer apparently moving
Oulv dor oil 40 wo had hor it vva
covered that she had her nags at half mast. Sub
sequently aud after signalling her ordered "a boat
to be lowered and went on board myself, when
discovered her to be the steamer Tigress of Polar
fame
STORY OF THE EXPLOSION.
"Her Captain and the chief officers were on deck
when l got on board. was then informed that
on Thursday, April 2, at two O'Clock in the alter
noon. the vessel was shaken all over by terrific
explosion Of the boiler which created great terror
and confusion as the escaped steam completely
enveoped every compartment below. Insconse.
Quence all steam facilities had been destroyed,
and they had then been under sail against a head
wind for twenty-iour hours
TwENTY-oNE MEN KILLED.
"when reached the deck OF the Tigress OBJ
served that number Of men were engaged on
carpenters work, making up and mailing together
a number of rough pine wood boxes. Asked the
commander what they were for, and he said they
were designed for receiving the bodies OF the
unfortunate. men who had been killed by the
accident on the day OF the explosion SAID
the Captain of the Tigress TO me, the
weather was dreadruly cold, with . stir
breeze blowing and heavy swell on. A number
OF the men had gone below after watch and had
"turned inn on top OF tue boiler for the sake OF
the warmth. Nineteen OF the crew were reposing
in this way when the crash occurred, and some OF
them were literally scalded beyond recognition
The CONSERVATION was fearful. The two engineers
were on duty at the time and both were killed.
DISTRESS ON BOARD
sWe left them on the afternoon OF the sd, making
for land under sail and promised to report the dis
aster Immediately on our arrival. did not ascer-
tain the namesof the men, as all the officers Of the
T1gress appeared in great GRIEF and could give but
few particulars"
The above is Captain Bartett's simple statement
REPORTED ARRIVAL AT BAY ROBERTS.
since leaving him have learned that the Tigress
had arrived on the coast and had put into Bay
Roberts, where in all probability she Will land her
dead and wait for assistance to reach this place;
and whence, Also we shall probably receive fuller
details