Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-29
Details Of the Disaster.

New York, August 2S.-At about $50
o'clock this afternoon people who were in
the neighborhood Of Fourteenth street and
North river We're startled by the sound OF
an explosion coming from the direction OF
the river. Looking in midstream they
saw the Hudson steamer Riverdale envel-
oped in steam. In less than six minutes
afterward she heeled to the side and cap
sized opposite Sixteenth street, she having
foated that far. Instantly about fifteen
different tugs steamed from this city and
Hoboken to where the sunken vessel Law.
There were over 100 passengers on board
the Riverdale when she left the foot
Of Harrison street for Haverstraw
Some OF these were hurled in the air, and
then fell back into the water. others We're
compelled to jump int the river to es-
cape the kissing, scalding steam that had
filed all parts Of the vessel, or to avoid
going down with her. The cause of the
disaster was the explosion Of the boiler,
which was amidships. When the boiler
exploded the air was filled with the flying
debris and broken woodwork, and the
pilothouse snapped like a pipestem and
toppled Over into the water. About
FIFTY PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES,
some being blown into eternity, and others
met their death by being drawn down
into the whirlpool caused by the sinking
Of the vessel. Those who were floating or
swimming about the river were picked up
by the tugs or rowboats that came to the
rescue. Three dead bodies were also
brought in by the boats, Mrs. Sisson, of
Tarrytown, N. V. an unknown man whose
body was taken to the morgue also another
body, which was taken to the mOrgue.
III IRE
Howard Gardner, the evangelist, Yon-
kers, n. V, taken to the New York Hos
pital.
John Kelly, deckhand, of Englewood,
\. j., arms broken, taken to the New York
Hospital.
John Moran, deckhand, of Williams
burg, n. V, legs and side crushed, taken
to the New York Hospital.
Thomas j. Saul, passenger, pa Somers
street, Brooklyn, scalded, taken to the
New York Hospital.
John Salair, mate of the vessel, left
thigh badly crushed, taken to the New
York Hospital.
John Cites, of this city, aged twenty
four, badly scalded, extremely critical con-
dition, taken to the New York Hospital.
Geo. A. Dimes, fireman OF the boat, was
badly scalded, and taken to st. Nincent's
Hospital.
TIE FIREMEN
of the several engine and hook and ladder
companies stationed nearest the scene OF
disaster were called out, without their APP.
paratus, however, and did good service, as
did also the members of the steamboat
squad. Policeman Michael killilea, of the
Charles street station, was the first to helI
the wounded fireman, Geo. \. Dimes, on
shore from a BOAT at Twelfth street. 81
never saw a man in such suffering" said
the officer, "and hope | may not witness
another such sight again. The poor fellow
squirmed, and his flesh was peeling off in
blisters. | called at once an ambulance
driver nearest me and had the unfortu
nate man sent to st. Nincent's Hospital
| her went in search of other injured
persons, and when | came to the foot o.
Fourteenth street | saw Il man pulling
rapidly to the wharf. His boat contained
the body of Il woman whose legs werC
evidently broken. She must have beeI
crushed by falling timbers while sitting OF
deck and then blown overheard"