Morning journal and courier., 1884-11-24
DISASTER ON THE SOUND.
TugbOat Blown up and Two Mel
 

NEW YORK, Nov. 23.-From the deck of the tugboat Brazos, which at four o'clock Friday afternoon plunged through the water at rapid pace off Sands Point on the Sound, the deck hands observed little puff of smoke suddenly shoot up from another tug boat about mile behind. Almost imme- diately afterward, and before the smoke had cleared away, heavy report came booming over the water. When the men of the Brazos looked again the little ''puffer' behind them had entirely disappeared from view. The Brazos at once turned about and proceeded with all possible speed to the scene of the take on board John Conroy, the engineer; John Lyons, the fireman, and Henry Devine, the cook of the sunken craft, which proved to be the tugboat James McMahon, of Jersey City, on her way from Stamford, Conn.,, with two canal boats in tow. The captain, ''Bar- ney" Hughes, and his brother, Christian Hughes, deck hand, were drowned. The canal boats were taken in charge by pass ing tug, and the Brazos steamed back to Jer- sey City, where Lyons, the fireman of the sunken tug, who had been badly scalded and knocked about, was placed in the hospi- tal
 To a reporter John Conroy, the engineer, who escaped with but slight injuries, told the following story last evening: "The James McMahon left Stamford, Conn, the day before yesterday, having in tow two canal boats bound for the Cement dock, Jer- sey City. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon and I was lying on my locker. John Lyons, the fireman, had gone down to spread the fires. After he had got through he came up stairs, and I asked him how the journals were working. He said they work ed all right. They had been newly davited on Thursday, and I felt anxious about them. At this time we had on a pressure of fifty pounds. I remember now that Lyons tried the gauge cock, and sand there was plenty ot water in the boiler. Lyons then walked tc the stairs and started to go up. Just as he had placed his foot on the steps the boiler burst and the boat went down like a fash I could scarcely hear the explosion as it came from below. It was like the "puff' from ar open furnace. After the boat had gone down managed somehow or other to rise tc the surface of the water. I was literally surrounded with drifting pieces of the wreck. Although somewhat blinded was able tc see the small boat, which was full of water and quite near me. I struggled to get in it. and then it oapsized. I finally succeeded 1T gaining position on the bottom of the boat and then looked around for the others Poor Barney Hughes, Burr, 'as the boys al called the captain, was about ten feet away from me, and making desperate efforts tc keep afoat I think he must have been in jured, for he was good swimmer. caught hold of long pole which brushed by me il the water and managed to reach it over te him. He caught hold of it and pulled hin through the wreckage to the floating rem nant of the pilot house. The captain threw his body across the pilot house and told me to save myself-that he was all right. Be lieving him to be safe I looked about for the rest of the boys. I saw Devine, the cook holding fast to piece of the wreck. Chris tian Hughes, the captains brother, was no where to be seen. He had without doub sunk with the wreck and had evidently neve come to the surface again. In short tim
 
 dent had been drifting about through tn wreckage, got so near to us that the mon anc women on board were able to throw lines t us. Davine was hauled aboard first, ,thenLyon was picked up, and afterward myself. I wa so feeble that could hardly hold the rope and it slipped from me twice before they fl nally succeeded in hauling me on board th canal boat. No sooner had reached tn deck than someone cried out, My God, Bar ney is goneI looked for the captain, bu he had disappeared. A small oyster slool had been heading toward him, and I though they might have overhauled him, but now know he is dead"
 Conroy had a patch over his nose and wa badly scalded on the neck. His shoulder and arms also are black and blue.
 Daniel Malcom, a young colored man anc captain of the canal boat Joseph Wilkins says that he saw deep gash in Captail Hughes forehead. A line was thrown t. 1 him, but he was too feeble to grasp it, ant he finally rolled off into the water and dis appeared. The captain and his brother wer bachelors.
 James McWilliams, one of the members o the firm of McWilliams Brothers of Hudson street, Jersey City, said that his firm ha | purchased the boat about three years ago a a marshals sale. He said she had been re gently thoroughly overhauled and the caus of the explosion was mystery. MT. Mo Williams paid high tribute to the characte ! and abilities of Captain Hughes. The tn was valued at $8, 900, and McWilliams Broth ' CTS say they were not insured against explc | sion