Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-07
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.
A Big River Steamer Blows up-Horri.
bic Accident ON the Mississippi n ear 81.
Louis-Many OF the Passengers and
Crew Drowned or killed-Ail Efforts TO
Ruu the Boat Ashore of No Avail.
ST, LouIs. Oct a

ST. Louis, Oct. s.
An explosion of boiler on the river
steamer La Msscott occurred near St Louis
last evening which caused a great loss of life
No cause for the explosion has vet been
given.
The boat was stesming along the river un.
der $50 pounds of steam, her usual amount,
when the explosion suddenly occurred. blow
ing fire in every direction. The utmost con
fusion prevailed. The pilot headed the boat
toward the shore but the flames caust d
him TO abandon his post before the stage
plank could be lowered After leaving his
post the current of the river turned the boats
b'w out into the river again. Her stern
! swung close TO the bank which afforded
means OF escape for several who were at that
| end of the boat, the pilot and ole cabin boy
getting ashore without injuries or even wet
feet.
The stage plank was lowered and many
were placed upon II, mostly women and chill
dren, who would have been saved had not
the smoke stack fallen squartly across it, and
all who were not killed by it were drowned
Captain Thompson after doing all in hi.
power 10 save the passengers and crew.
jumped overheard and swan ashore, the boat
having by this time drfted fully 200 wards
out into the river. She drifted over 10 the
Illinois shore opposite Wizards Landing aud
sank. the only thing visible at present being
her wheels.
Lew Braham, clerk, tells the following
story of the Disaster
When we landed at Neelv's and were null
ing out l walked up stairs and into my room
heard small explosion, like that of sky
rocket and opened the door to the cabin anu
saw steam coming out from the barber shop
saw ladies in the cabin and called to them
to come forward | saw the fire coming from
under the boiler deck and took the ladies
forward and started down stairs where Pilot
Creveau gave life preservers to them. telling
them to put them on immediately. or.
dered the stage plank thrown overheard
which was promptly done and we put all the
ladies on the plank. The rigging broke and
the plank swung out. l swan alongside of
the stage and made the men get off so it
would bear up the ladies. then swan to
ledge and crawled ashore. A man from
Illinois with skitf took the people OF the
stage and also saved a number that were
swimming.
j. j. Hanlon, second pilot says
Steamer Eagle was near US hen the disas-
ter occurred and could easily have pushed US
ashore without much trouble and danger, but
understood the captain did not care 20 rem
der anv assistance. AdolphHs Evelyn, pilot
of the Eagle, told me that,the captain ordered
HIM not to go near US, as he did not wish to
endaneer his boat. If he would only have
pushed us ashore not single person would
have been injured except from scalding
burns.
The reports of the accident are very
meagre, and full list of the killed and
wounded cannot be obtained. No list of the
passengers could be obtained, as the register
Is lost and the excitement was SO intense
among the survivors that no one could tell
who was on board.
Amorg the list are known to be- Judge
Hager and wife, Miss Kneigher, daughter of
Chris Knegher. William II. Wheeler and
two children and Fritz Lord, all of Cape
Glrardesu, Charles Ansel (colored), Two
chamber maids, an unknown lady with two
children, j. II Perkins, first clerk, Miss
Julia Rabich of Cape Grardeau, the first en-
gineer.
Out of the crew of "a, IA are saved and
the total loss of lite is placed at between Is
and %.
The La Mascott was a new boat, having
been built at Evansville, Indiana. during the
summer at a cost of about $50 900, especially
for the packet trade between st. Louis and
Cape Girardeau. The patronage received
WAS more than satisfactory. the steamer
m"hihs Hl-"tehly tIps Win neaNy lOaus OF
passengers aud freight Captain Thompson
considered her remarkably fast.
She lett ST. Louis at 4 O'clock Monday af-
ternoon.
special from Girardeau states that the
wreck of the La Mascot resulted from a
collapse Of one of the boiler fues, and the
explosion spent its force directly backwards
into the engine room and the crew and
round -a-bOus were badly scaIded by the
escaping steam, six being killed. Five deck
hands were so severely burned that their
lives are despaired Of The others who are
known to have been drowned are Mrs. VIM.
Wheeling and two young daughters Of Cape
Grardeau; Judge VIM. Hagan, Cape Girar-
deau; yoaug man. name unknown; Miss
Amelia Kings, Cape Grardesu; J. Roy
Perkins, Evansville; first clerk of the La
Mascot; Miss julia Robish of Cape Grar-
desu; head engineer of the La Mascott 4;
Mace Sheer, deck hand; two chambermaids ;
Lew ID. Adams, 2nd mate; LADY and TIVE
children, supposed to be Mrs Bames and
two daughters of Puxica, Mo d. S. David
son, so badly burned about the face and
i.Lx H. L., 4