New-York tribune., 1878-09-30
FIFTEEN LIVES LOST.


THREE PERSONS KILLED ON THE ATLANTIC
AVENUE RAILROAD IN BROOKLYN AND FOUR
INJURED.
The explosion of the boiler of the steamboat Adel-
phi, near South Norwalk, Conn.,, on Saturday,
killed twelve persons and injured twenty-One, of
whom four will probably not recover At the inquest
three experts testified that the boiler was unsound,
and that repairs had weakened it 80 that thorough
examination would have shown it to be dangerous.
1t was pronounced in good condition last June by
Inspector Blake, who inspected the boiler Of the
Magenta, which recently exploded at Sing Sing A
carriage in funeral procession was crushed by a
locomotive on the Atlantc-ave. track in Brooklyn,
and three persons were killed and four severely n
jured
STORY OF THE ADELPHI DISASTER.
SCENES ON THE WRECKED sTEAMER-A FEW
MOMENTS OF THE Widest TERROR AND CON-
FUsION-LIsTs OF THE KILLED AND INJURED
CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT.
The boiler of the steamboat Adelphi, plying
between this city and South Norwalk Conn., exploded
few minutes after O'Clock on Saturday. at q short
distance from Gregory's Point near South NorwaIk
The boat left the pier at South NOrwak at Is minutes
before q. m her regular hour for sailing, on the
daily trip to this city On board nearly 225 pas
sengers, among whom many women and
children. The cool air of the Autumn morning
forced many to seek shelter within the saloon,
but others we're sitting along the sunny side
Of the boat, forward OF the saloon and the
smOkestack On the main deck a group had gathered
about the captains Office waiting to buy their tickets
and the open deck the Gangway, several per-
enjoying the agreeable warmth from the
boilers Young Harry TOtteD leaning against the felt
covered boiler, teasing and watching his pony,
which standing the sarboard side Of the boat
Hearing the laughter of friend the upper deck he
the opposite side several men walking the deck
loungng the guards while close by the bar-room
the negro porter busy cleaning the boots Of pas
senger.
The boat was gliding swiftly over the shallow waters
Of the inlet which forms the harbor Of South Norwalk
Gregory's Point scarcely quarter Of mile away,
and from the pier signal had just been received to stop
for passengers Down the pier watching the approach
OF the boat were walking Francis Fooe, Of the DorlOn
House, and three ladies, who intended to take passage
The engineers bell had Just rung signal. deep
rumble hushed the gay laughter cOnvulsive tremOr
shook the boat, and instantly the air was filed with
steam and flying timbers. The excitement and terror
among the passengers were intense; women ran shrek
ing through the saloon, and men, white with fear stood
helpless and knew which way to turn for safety
Thick clouds Of poured into the saloon aud en-
yeOped the vessel. Above all was heard the sound OF
the sharp rendng OF stout mbers and the shaerng OF
glass and wood To this succeeded groans and cries Of
anguish from the injured and dying
The moment the explosion was over all danger
had passed Captain HOlcOmb went quickly about quiet
ing the women and encouraging the men. His example
led others to regain their presence Of mind Tamadge
Baker, OF South NOrwalk, hastily opened the windows OK
the saloon aud the light breeze swept the steam
from the boat Then the ruin broke on the view. The
forward part Of the saloon the port side was torn
open and below was q black and CHASTITY abyss, filed
with spllutered tmbers and twisted iron. The boat
which lay helpless the water. shortly aferward
towed to The pier Gregorys Point, and the Dorlon
House opened wide for the reception and care or
the wounded and dead
The whole extent Of the ruin easily visible from
the wharf from which people soon gathered toook down
into the gaping wound IN the boats side The explo-
sion had torn away about fifteen feet Of the main
deck on the port side Of the boat, revealing
the bare and backened frame The rupture OF the boiler
extended lengthwse about eight feet, and iron hap
nearly three feet wide had been turned completely back
The line Of the break followed that OF the bolts which
had been put In stays support the outer she'll The
ragged edge Of thin and corroded and the
lne was revealed patch about two feet long. There
was also smaller patch about the head Of Of the
bolts The engne-rOom directly abaft the boiler,
and was greatly injured, but the barroom opposite
and on the edge OF the boat was completely shat
tered The saloon deck over the place OF the explosion
was torn away for space about twenty-five feet lODg,
aud extending to the side OF the deck The front OF the
near by was twisted ana the deck lifted aud broken.
WHAT EYE-wITNEssEs SAID.
The tdngs Of the explosion which had been observed
at several points on both shores. spread quickly and
caused the utmost excitement in Norwalk People has
tened from all directions to the of the disaster,
and the wharf and hotel at D0rons Landing were soon
filled with curious and sympathetic groups.
Talmadge Baker, of South Norwalk, one Of the pas
senRers said that he had just gone up from the main
deck where he had been to get checks for his sisters
baggage; he walking along the saloon from the main
stairway when he heard the dull heavy sound OF the
explosion. turned my head" he said, and saw tho
openng at the end the saloon and the air full Of spn
tered timber knew the thing must be steam, and
fastened to throw open of the windows aud DOORS
The people seemed to be dazed by the confusion.
walked about and assured them that there fur
ther danger. One was helping another through
an omen window pulled her back and showed her that
she would fall into the water On the main deck I
found several severely burned groaning and evil
IDENTIFY dying"
Henry ". Totteu, ofNo 24O West Twenty-hrst-st, OF
this city, lad about fifteen years old leaning Sat
urday afternoon against the guards the opposite side
of the boat and his pony which had not been dis
turbed by the explosion. He said tnat he had been
spending the summer at Wilton and was returning IN
eompany with Mr.. HOyt and other friends. He said; "k
had just reached the top Of the stairs when the expo
sion took place. had up to what the fnn was,
for heard friend on the upper deck laughing had
been leaning against the boiler and playing with my
pony There was great excitement for few minutes
hut II was soon over. Some Of the women attempted TO
lump overheard but do not think any OF them ana sO
a. soon as information OF the disaster became general,
the eompanys office in this city was besieged with per-
sous eager to learn whether their friends were among
tbe injured The from NewHaYen, which reached
the Grand Central Depot, at 1910 p m. saturday,
Norwak who was an eyewitness said that the accident
was SO sudden that the succeeding scene was horrible
Tbe passengers seemed driven almost 10 insanity; the
the dense volume scadng steam concealed from them
he extent OF disaster. Many thought the boat was
sinking and Jumped overheard In their wild excitement;
others tried 10 adjust fepreseryers which they nva-
raby put on so that their heads would go under and
their feet hy up. Over ali che piercing screams OK
those who bad been bruised and scalded.
Richard Wilson and his wife, OF No 61 Chrystie-st,
this city had been attend the fair at Rdgee d. the
n--nl.,1rr MI NnrMalk Railroad He sad he hind lust