The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-26
A PACIFIC DISASTER.
EXPLOSION OF THE STEAMER eiLor.
IN. Boat BssL.a Ia Half and susl-ElsA, Psr,sn.
KILLED, Saves wounded sad IS nany'rSrs
nl,siar-fhs FIsdIas Of the Wsuadsd.
aad Dssd-se.s,s a.tA. Wreck.

San Francisco, May 25.-The stern
wheel steamer Pilot, which blew up this
morning, had been running for some years
past in opposition to the steamers Of the
San Francisco & North Pacific Co. The
explosion occurred near Lakeville, mile
above Donahus landing, an arm Of the b y
kaown as Petalumia Greek. The news
Of the disaster was first conveyed in the fol.
lowing dispatch. -j
"DoSAnuE, May ga heavy report
was heard from the steamer Pilot and
large escape Of steam seen. i think she has
blown up. Looks as though she sank"
A second dispatch Come stating that
twenty passengers were aboard, and it was
believed that several San Franciscars
were among them. Excitement through
out the city rapidly quickened in intensity.
Notwithstanding every Biographical effort
vas put forth NO details could be ot-
tanned until nearly three o'clock this
morning, then dispatch was received
stating that all the forward part OF the boat
was blown away. Ths aiterpart foated
three hundred yards and then grounded
on the west side Of the creek. Two persons
we're killed, seven wounded and eleven are
missing and supposed TO be drowned.
Mrs. McNearis missing, but her baby was
saved. The wreck is almost inaccessible"
Officers Of the steamer Donahue reported
that when passing Donahue landing they
noticed tho Phot coming down the
creek in mid channel. A few minutes
afterwards they saw no sign OF the
incoming steamer. A rumor spread thata u
terrible disaster had occurred, aud the
chief engineer Of the Donahue is reported
as having said he saw an explosion and o
cloud Of steam and smoke Immediately
following. The Donahue drew too mucn
water for navigation above her landing
levee and she did not go TO the wreck.
Amessage was sent to Petalumia directing
a relief train with physicians and nurses
for wounded to be Immediately dispatched
to Lakeyille. aE.s .
FINDING THE WOUNDED AND DEAD.
When the trim arrived the surgeons on
board found little to do, as Of all Of those
known and believed to be on board none
but the captain and two others, one the
pilot, could be found. They were discov-
cred in fields seriously injured, the captain
least Of the three. Search was made in every
direction near the banks, and one after
another, four more were found, all more
or less seriously injured, some with arms or
legs broken in the fall. One was but
slightly injured having falling in the tall
grasses. Out Of these he managed 10
scramble to higher and dryer ground.
Had he been more severely injured he
would have drowned at high tide. The last
reports received show eight killed, ssven
wounded and ten missing, the most OF the
latter probably dead, but the bodies have
not yet been found, TIE names Of the
passengers cannot be definitely ascer-
tained, as no names were recorded at the
points OF departure. '1tis known, how
ever, there was one family Of twelve on
board bound for Arizona.
Il is thought many Of the passengers
who escaped scalding and manglipg were
drowned, as the boat sunk Immediately
after the explosion. .......
The Pilot was owned by Capt. Gould,
formerly master OF the ship Conqueror.
He purchased the vessel year ago to-
gether with her trade and certain other
property, for $1,000. ag,f