The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-18
a HORROR AvERTED.
The Boiler of Philadelphia Steamer
Explodes.
Several Persons Injured Suspicion
Directed to Rival Line.

PHILADELPHIA, Aug 17.-At 1918 O'Clock
this forenoon a boiler exploded on the
steamer $. NJ Selton, off Chestnut street
wharf The steamer had just left her dock
on her trip to Wilmington, Del AS she was
opposite Pier No. 2S, South wharyes, the
passengers and crew were startled by an ex-
plosion which shook the boat from stem to
stern, and when the smoke cleared away it
was found that the entire forward part of
the vessel above the water line had been
badly damaged, and that anumber of passen-
gers had been injured, some of them severe
ly. The pilot house and entire upper deck
were lifted and fell to the lower deck The
bow presented scene OF complete wreck.
The injured were removed to Penn Hospital
They are, so far as known, John E. Medium,
severely injured about the legs; Silas Reed,
badly injured by the conclusion; Bessie
Bradley, ankle dislocated; Samuel Cooper,
injured about the head and body; John
Stephenson, injured by the concussion Geo.
Cockayre thigh cut; George Eryen, injured
about the limbs and body. The steamer
will be taken to Wilmington for repairs She
is owned by the Penn ylyania Railroad Com
pany.
The cause of the explosion is as yet un-
known. The passengers and many of those
who saw the explosion from the shore insist
that gunpoWder or some similar explosive
was ignited on the forward deck, and several
persons who were standing on the pier de-
clare that they distinctly noticed the odor of
gnnpowder. There has been considerable
rivalty between the Selton and other boats
running to Wilmington, and the report has
gained ground that some malicious persons
placed an explosive ON the deck. This is
mere rumor, however, and the cause of the
explosion will not be known until further in
yestigation is made.
LATER
There were over 500 passengers, ON the S.
M. Selton when the explosion took place to-
day. The wrecked upper works took fire
and a frightful panic ensued. This was
speedily checked by the GOODNESS of num-
Der of men. A large number were almost or
quite stunned by the shock. Some sisters of
charity were in no way excited or affected
by the accident. They passed quietly among
the passengers searching out the wounded.
The promptness with which assistance came
from all sides, from passing steamers and
from the shore, quieted the panic and pre-
vented the fire from spreading. The passen-
gers We're taken off and the steamer was
towed down stream.
There now seems to be but little doubt
about the explosion being due to dynamite
or gun powder though no one seems to
know how it was taken on board. 1t seems
marvellous that half the people on board es-
capped death. Witnesses say that at the mo-
ment of the explosion everything became
enveloped in darkness and the boat rocked as
if in a heavy storm. 1t was supposed that
no one leaped overheard but man who Sc
cured life preserver has since come ashore
at Walnut street wharf, apparently unin-
1ured.
The list of wounded now number 16. Ed
ward Shea of Philadelphia was Sinjured in
ternally and it is thought will die. The pas
sengers were mostly women thaking their
babies out for a fresh air trip on the river.
Their remarkable escape is accounted for
by the providential fact that but a few
Of them were in the forward end of the
steamer, 1t was the impression of all who
saw it that the explosive had been intention
ally placed there, as no freight is ever al
lowed to be stored in front of the boiler bulk
head.
careful examination of the wreck was
made made for the purpose of ascertaining
tion established the fact that the explosion
was caused by dynamite. The explosive had
been placed forward directly in front of the
head of the boiler. Detectives are investi-
eating the case. The Selton was was insured
$4,000.