The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-27
THE DISASTER TO THE COLON.
The Passengers Scared but Unburt-Tbe Yes
eel Towed into this Port.

The steamer Colon, Capt. Grimm, of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Companys line, started
from this port for Asf inwall on Aug. II, carry
Ing the usual number OF passengers and about
1,2OO tons OF cargo. On Sunday, the goth, just as
religious services were concluded. and the pas-
sensers began to 90 on deck, a dull explosion
was heard, followed by heavy shock and the
ships progress was Instantly stopped. Steam
poured from the engine Dom, and the situation
was for the moment appalling. The GOODNESS OF
the officers and crew restored composure am one
the passengers, and an examination was at once
made to ascertain the nature Of the disaster.
After steam had been shut OF, II was seen that
the machinery was wreck. The crank shaft of
the engine, compound high and low pressure
Of the usual ocean steamer type, had broken,
owing TO defect IN the forging. The forward
engine had thrown up a piece Of the shaft, and
the immense pressure raised bodily In the air
the four heavy iron columns that support the
cylinder, swapping them as though they were
pipe stems. This had broken the main steam
pipe by the throttle valve, and occasioned the
escape Of steam. John Bunting, third assistant
engineer. and James Farrell, oiler, were killed
by the steam. Bunting was found on the star
board side OF the machinery, with a piece OF
cotton waste in his hands, and Farrell, Just
above, holding an oil can, with which he had
been at work. These mems homes were In
brooklyn and they we're old EMPLOYEES Of the
COMPANY. Hunting leaves "A wife, and Farrell a
wife and child. Their remains were buried at
sea on the afternoon Of the same day
At the time OF the accident the Colon was
ABOUT 100 miles from this port, IN latitude &',
longitude "a. Siils were nut ~. hut with the
small amount OF canvas for such large md
heavily laden ship. her progress was Glow, and
she was gradually drifting to the eastward, out
OF the regular course OF steamers or sailing YES
sels. The officers and Others grew anxious; hut
late in the afternoon OF the same day the
steamer Etna, Can't, sampson. Of the Atlas line,
was sighted. going nortnward. For time IL
appeared ne though she would pass the Colon
10y, no answer being made 10 the repeated dis
tress signals. Toward o'clock In the evening,
however. she bore down on the Colon, having
Just seen the signals. A bargain was made with
the Captain Of the Etna, and the Colon was
taken Ia tow, arriving at this port yesterday
The machinery OF the Colon wreck will have
TO be entirely renewed. The four Immense col
ulns supporting the cylinders are broken on
about four feet from the massive bed plate, and
had evidently been w ed bodily The heavy
main pillow block. and the pillow block OF the
spring bearing, are broken. The main steam
pipe hangs 10 ! gRed fragments. An inspection
shows a bad law In the forging OF the heavy
crank shaft OF the low pressure engine where II
was broken, and II Is a wonder that the acci-
dent did not sooner oc, ur. The exhaust pipe is
broken, and, In fact, the most valuable and
Was ouilt by Elder Co. Of Glasgow. The vessel
~ 200 tons register, and three years OLE. The
which Will PROBABLY be ready to sail ON Monday
or tuesday next. The passenger, many OF
whom remain on the Colon, are to go by the
same vessel.
An engineer says that the crank shaft OF the
Amerique broke In exactly the same way once
IN mid-ocean, and that the English engines are
not TO be compared to thvse Of American m anu
4ctuie. The crank shafts OF the former
punt up III such way that engineers gene
raw, OIL this side, regard them as not good
1oos. The trouble Is caused by bad forging,
aud man connected with the concern that
built those engines admitted that they had two
sets OF pa tcrns-one heavy, for themselves. and
one hght, Tor outsiders. he cost OF the heavy
ones was one-thiTd greater.