Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-06-30
PHAETON EXPLOSION.
FURTHER PARTICULARS CONCERN
ING THE DIRE DISASTER.
One Hundred and Thirteen Pounds OF Steam
Did the wrecking work-Ihs Little
Craft Rent Into Ten thousand
Pleces-A Story by One OF
the Passengers.
FIVE KILLED AND SIX WOUNDED.


Vanceburg, Maysville and Ripley packet
Phaeton was blown 10 atoms at halt
past one o'clock yesterday, at the foot
OF Brooks Bar, three-fourths OF mile
above this city. She lett the wharf
with dozen or more passengers, made
a landing at East Maysville and Ches-
ter, whistled to pass the Handy, which
was going up, and when hall length
ahead of her exploded her boilers, and,
without exaggeration,
Went Into Ten Thousand Pieces
II was the most complete wreck that
has ever been witnessed. Not vestige
of the steamer remained that could be
utilized for any purpose but tirewood.
The river from Maysville to the bar was
strewn with
Fragments of the Wrecked Boat
among which could be distinguished
life.pret ervers, ! i lows, bedding, buck
cts, hats, clothing, and other articles be-
longing to the steamer and the passen-
gers.
More than a thousand persons were
gathered at the landing when the disas-
ter became known, and there were
scenes OF excitement similar to those
witnessed here that terrible winter
night more than thirty years ago, whe n
the explosion and burning OF the i'll.
tated A. n. Johnson caused such a loss
OF life.
The Phaeton's Boilers
were OF the tubular pattern, and com.
paratively new. The gentlemen's cab
in, where all the passengers were. was
Immediately forward Of the boilers on the
lower deck. The ladies' cabin was ait,
but there was no one occupying il to-
day. The force OF the explosion was
backward, and every person in the di-
rection was either killed or injured,
those forward escaping with slight in
juries or entirely. The following per-
sons are
Known to have been Killed or Drowned:
Cash Naylor, engineer, OF Manches-
ter. Ohio.
Samuel Reynolds, colored, porter. OF
Mavsville.
Joseph Carr, deck hand, OF Maysville.
A passenger, whose name is unknown.
He is said to have been intoxicated,
and when last seen was on the alter
part OF the boat.
It is very probable that several others
who are not known, missed IN the con.
fusion that prevailed ARE also lost. The
names Of the injured are:
Daniel Blye, slightly.
Tim Sewers, OF Rome, Ohio, fireman
scalded, bruised and cut fatally.
John Conn, of Marietta, o., slightly.
LIB. Smith, of Cincinnati; slightly.
Bascom Cooper, slightly.
Mr.. Macarthur, OF Chicago; cut on the
head and bruised very severely.
The following cabin
Passengers Escaped
with a few bruises ani scratches, or en-
tirely: General Warren, President OF
the Pennsylvania railroad; MIR. Nc.
Adow; a little son OF Major Carey, msll
agent on the WILDWOOD; Mr.. Arthur;
Joseph Torrens, OF Pittsburgh; Mrs.
Otto and son, and Mr.. Garrett, who
Joined the boat at Ripley.
The Hsndy's smoke-stacks were
knocked down by the flying timbers,
but otherwise she is uninjured. Bruce
Redden, who was on the Handy,
Saved the Phaeton's Passenger Register.
Capt. j. p. Ellison, owner OF the boat,
was not on board, having stopped OF
10. day at his home at Manchester. The
wildwood, which was lying at the
landing, went to the wr ck, rendering
every assistance possible, and brought
the wounded to this city. +.
ItJoseph Torrens, OF Pittsburgh, tells
the following story: 81 was sitting on
the deck forward OF the gentlemen's
cabin, with my back to the boilers, talk
ing to one OF the boats employees.
Noticing the Handy pass US, l said to
him: That boat is passing u.s. He re-
plied: That makes no difference; We are
faster.' The Phaeton landed at East
Maysville, and, showing out, passed the
Handy. remarked that it was done
with ease. He stepped into the boiler
room, and returning, heremarked boast
fully: we did that with
lis Pounds of Steam.
What would we do il We carried 40?
The Phseton shortly after this touched
at Chester, and swinging out towards
the Handy, her nose abaft the wheel
mouse, so cOntlnueu tOI oouio hNtio VIC
tance. When the Phaeton was halt 2
length ahead heard an explosion, and
found myselt with others lying on the
deck fat on my face, and rising encoun,,
tered a shower of falling timber and
fragments. saw at least half dozen
persons in the water,
Struggling for Life,
and am confident they were lost. When
the bull went to pieces was saved 6s a
rope thrown to me from the Handy.
The Phaeton was about five years old,
and formerly ran as a packet between
Sistersville and Wheeling. She was sold
to Captain Ellison, who entered her In
this trade against the Handy.
Was She ssfep
RIPLxY, Ono, June 29.-Before the
Phseton left here yesterday, Engineer
Nsylor tried to hire Engineers Asa Reed
or John w. Adkins to take his place.
Both refused, telling him the boat was
not safe. de admitted it, and gave it as
his poaaor for uan,tn.. 60 o,it