New-York tribune., 1885-08-18
ON A STEAMBOAT.
TWO HUNDRED PERSONS IN PERIL
DYNAMITE WRECKS THE BOW OF THE 8. n. HBE
roN-sIxTEEN PERSONS INJURED.

DYNAMITE WRECKS THE BOW OF THE 3. NJ HBEp
roN-sIxTEEN PERSONS INJURED
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17.--An explosion oc-
Cured the steamer FELTON, Just after had lso
her dock her trip to Wilmington Del, this morning.
As the boat opposite Pier No. g. South Wharves he
passengers and crew, numbering 300 startled
by explosion which the boat from stern,
and when the smoke cleared away found tnat TIE
entire forward part of the vessel above the wstsrns
had been damaged and number Of passengers injured
Inc pilot house and entire upper deck were lifted snd
foil to the lower deck. The bow presented scene -
complete wreck Tugs proceeded at to the injured
vessel and with the assistance the police tug william
B. Stokeley, which lying by, removed the In
jured. The ambulance Of tho Pennsyivania Hospital
took most OF The injured to that Institution sixteen
sons wsre wounded, a. follows;
Jesse Bradley, OF Philadelphia. ankle dislocated.
A j. D. Chester. Of Chester. side injured leg crushed
George Cocane of Philadelphia. back and thigh hurs
Samuel Cooper Of Frsnkford. hurt about the ehass
and head.
George Erwin, deck hand severely injured in tAs
James E. Mcdonald arc nine aresident Of Chester LEG
sias Reed, Of Philadelphia. slightly injured
asorss , Mitchell Is, age vps nv a.
He was q deck hand on tho FELTON, and WAS blown
John Mcoasker passenger injured about the breass
Edward Spear, Of Philadelphia. injured internally;
1t is tho aght that he will die.
John Stevenson. Of Camden, ~ j.. slightly injured
Charles Qunian. Of Philadelphia, badly bruised about
James Valentine. living at Wilmington; no Is the
sneer OF the Felton, ana was cut about the head ~
John L vantine thirty.three. Of Chester, compi+
Edward Young OF Wilmington. fireman Of the Fetaas
injured about the head aud face.
was standing wharf when the xplosion occurred
end was thrown backward q bench, sustaining
injuries of the right wrist
The passengers mostly women taking babies for
freshair trip the river Their remarkable escape
accounted for BY the fact few Of them In the
forward end Of the steamer the forward canvas awn
ing had been set, and tho shining there mads
the seek cooler spots In tho stern Of the boa
Edward Young, the fireman. saya that when the cxpo
sion occurred he carrying only thirtyve pounds Of
steam. Andrew Lnker said to-day that he inspected
boiler last May and found in good condition Ths
iron tested tits stamped $4,000 pounds and broks
at $4,000 pounds. The indsntaton in the head
of the boiler, however, shows beyond doubt thas
the explosive force came from without an4
not from within. Captain Wiley, Mr.. Lawrence AE
Mershon and Mr. Lnker made careful examination d
the wreck and their Investigation established the fas
that the explosion caused by dynamite. Tnee ex-
posive had placed forward directly In front OF the
head OF the boiler. The up from wiimins
at $50 o'clock, and lay a ner wharf until TO- Last
OF Brdgeton n j. Captain Wiley says that IL stranger
had boarded, attempted to board. the steamer ha
M ght the watchinsn would have Informed him OF th7s
fact While the lay at her wharf this morning.
the passengers aboard and took chairs on tbs
hu rricane decks, or aft The officers and deckhands
were Dusy and no attention paid 20 the movements
Of the passengers Several Of them carried baskets -
that bundle package might have been carried aboard
without attracting attention.
The official report made 70 H. F. Kenney superintsna-
ent OF the Philadelphia. Wilmington aud Baltimore Rail
road Company under whose supervision the steamness
IL operated says The nead Of the boiler was in:ented
and cracked about foat In length Tho explosion s be
eved have been caused by cartridge OF some kind
placed head OF the boiler maliciousy De-
already been put the ease. The Feto3
was insured for $4,000, OF which $4,000 wss plaeno
In the Liverpool London aud Globe. and S2oO00 nelo
By the Pennsylvania Railroad Company