The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1878-02-08
FIELD NOTES.
A Biow-oat ut West Pascagonla -
STEAMBOATS, and R~Piiroads-
Newton's Letter
Etc, Rte.

The creosote works, situated at West
Pascagoula. sustained another l6ss last
Friday. About four O'Clock in the
morning the door OF the large boiler
where bridge timber and piling is satu-
rated with c~reosote, gave way under a
pressure of 175 pounds-the usual
pressure being 300 pounds-destroying
about 10000 gallons OF creosote and
part of the shed. No lives were lost,
all the laborers being asleep except the
fireman and watchman, who fortunately
were giving their attention to something
in the rear Of the building, though a few
minutes previously were in front of the
door testing its heat.
This is the third accident these works
have sustained within the last fourteen
months, and the company has sustainsd
8 me heavy losses thereby. First by
fire, when the works were destroyed,
together with 10, 900 gallons of creosote;
then the head of the boiler blew ont.
killing one man and wounding others,
at which time 10, 900 gallons of creosote
were lost aud now the loss in ~creosote
is about the same. The creosote costs
eigat cents a gallon delivered at the
works.
Alter the first explosion, the company
ordered two cast iron doors, which will
enable them to resume work within a
few days. These doors, judging from
the weight and thickness, will stand a
pressure of S,400 pounds each. They
are three and II half inches thick, riv-
eted on both sides by eight heaSt bars.
They were made in New York expressly
for the company.
MI. Putnam, the bridge sup~erintend-
ent, informs us that the ~creosote proves
a successful remedy against the water
insects. He has in alcohol some Of
these worms as specimens. They are
truly a curiosity. Some we have seen
are from SIX to eleven inches in length /;
sight, they appear sn~ow-white, but
a closer inspection they present a
faint cream-yellow ; they are very soft,
and appear dormant. The way they
obtain admittancs into timber and de-
it is to us a mystery, as they pre-.
sent no limb and their bodies are soft
and very timber. These specimens are
intended for a scientific investigation,
and our scientist will have some work
on hand that will need mental and ex-
study.
STEAMBOATS, VS.. RAILROADS.
The steamboat pearl Rivers" built
by Mr.. Poitevent, of Pearl river. is now
New Orleans waiting to ascertain il
our coast can support a boat. The
gentlemen who intend starting it are
men whose experience Iu this business
them capable Of giving satisfac-
ion to the public. Their rates will be
suit the times. The advantages the
have over railroads are ru.
nervous. and have before been treated in
,ur columns. Our people ere this have
ound the yoke of the railroad king
too heavy to bear, and now as
hey are offered assistance TO cast it
side. let them not hesitate to come
onward and give encouragement to
hose who have kindly offered assist
nee. The railroad does not leave any
money in our community, nor never has,
imply because their employees hail from
distant portion Of our globe. Let us
AVE steamboats,. Wharves are to be
made wood and labor will be needed !
nd as our friends are Southern men,
ar coast will reap some benefits. We ;
Eill leave discussion on this topic to
theirs, but hope that ere long the
Pearl Rivers" will with success display
colors in our waters. Her clerk is a
Iandsome, polished and accommodating
'oung man, whose name sounds with
raises among the travelling public on !