The New York herald., 1878-12-14
sCALDED TO DEATH.

SHOCKING FATE 'oF AN oILER ON THE SOUND
M PRoPELLER ELECTRA a.g
The Sound propeller Electra left Providence, R. l.,
Thursday evening for this port with o mixed cargo
consigned to the agent of the company, Isaac Odel
The vessel considered seaworthy in her several
parts; but this confidence in her general stability was
rudely shaken shortly before one O'Clock yester-
day morning. At that hour, Edward Hoffman,
an oiler, was summoned from his slumbers to 20 on
deck and attend to his usual duties He was but par
TALLY dressed when he responded to the call and
went behind the boiler in search Of some mislaid
article of wearing apparel 1t was ut that moment
that plate the boiler was blown out,
and Hoffman was enveloped in cloud of scald-
ing steam He frantically endeavored to escape from
the fatal vapor, but before he could do terri
bly, scalded. The injured man was conveyed to a
safe distance from the escaping steamand received
what slight attentions could be bestowed on him in
medical way by the purser. He fingered in great
agony for about five hours when death put IN end to
his sulerings. s r na
A CRACKED PLATE.
On investigation il discovered that one OF the
plates on the side of the boiler had cracked The
assure four inches In length and about eighth
Of MI inch in width. When the steam had been al
lowed to escape the men put to work to plug up
the aperture. This was sufficiently accomplished to
enable the propeller to continue on her course by
her dock (pier No. 20 North River), ut eleven A. M
yesterday, four hours behind her regular time.
WHAT THE AGENT sAYs
Mr.. Odell stated last night that he was only in.
formally notified of the mishap, Captain Young
had made official report of the accident and the
damaged vessel remains ut her dock awaiting
requisite repairs. Mr.. Odell further stated that
there was a crew OF twenty-five hands on
board AS passenger trqtic poor. even in
the summer season. the officers of the line concluded
to carry nothing but freight during the winter. It
will not be necessary, he said, to put in boiler
only the broken plate needs repairing.
The Electra was originally intended for govern
ment troop ship. She was built in 1854 by Mr.. Van
Dusen. AZ the war was terminated before she was
completed the government disposed Of her to the
Providence and New York Steamship Company
rM MHN THK CORoNER's INQUEST. t
Coroner Woltman yesterday viewed Hoffrnan's re-
mains and gave permit for the removal of the body
to the Morgue. Tho following testimony was also
taken:-
Robert A. Montgomery testified that he Is an officer
attached to the Western Steamboat Squad; yesterday
about haf-past one p. NJ, when post on pier No.
~ North River, was informed by Mr.. Odell.
the agent OF the line. that q named
Edward Holman, employed ns an oilcr on
the boat Electra from Providence, Il. l., had been
scalded from steam escaping from leak in the
boiler the previous day. The officer went on
board and found the deceased scalded the entire
body. Washington Smith, one of tho engineers said
to the witness that tho deceased had been woke up TO
90 on duty; while behind the boiler looking for his
shoes he received the scalds; no survived about ve
hours after the accident
The inquest will be continued early next week.