Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-20
DEATH AT CLOSE QUARTERS.
Seven Men Killed In AN Explosion ON
an Ohio River Tug.

LOUISVILLE, KY, July 20-The explosion OF the
steam-pipe that supplied the engine from the
boilers caused the death OF seven OF the crew OF
the tugboat Convoy, at 40 O'Clock this morning.
The accident occurred 20 miles up the river, near
WeStport, Ind, and most OF the men were asleep
at the Ume The following Is a list OF victims:
VIM. Page, about twenty eight years residence
unknown. VIM. Harrgan. sixteen years old, resi-
dence Soho, Pa. Robert Jones, about thirty five
years old, married, residence Jacks Rum Pa VIM.
Bigley forty-two years old, married, residence Al
leghany CITY, Pa. Charles Luster, nfty-nine years
ofsage, residence Jacks Run, Pa. George Mccain,
twenty-fouI years Old, residence Ptttsburg. VIM.
Kelley, about thirty-fye years Old, residence un-
known.
When the boat reached Westport, % miles up
everything. according to the first mates story,
was running smoothly. He took walk back to
the cabin and found all quiet. He stopped and
talked to a friend, George Mccain, who was lying
on a lower berth, near the door. The latter half
rose In his bed and remarked: "Illsoon be at home
with my family"
Then he lay down and went to sleep. The mate
returned to the piiot-house and was conversing
miles above Westport. suddenly there was a ter
rifle explosion, the whole boat became enveloped
In steam, and the machinery stopped: The cap
tain, who was asleep, hurredly dressed, called his
men, and made preparations TO land. The yawl
was lowered, q line taken on, and the boat towed
ashore and made fast 70 2 tree: Then the captain
occurred. William Page lay near the door dead,
the blood rushing from his mouth and ears, and
s sas was IN his Berth Ills deasn nus
have been Instantaneous, for he lay in
the same position as when be retired.
Robert Jones was on the floor and barely alive be
was horribly burned and lived but fifteen minutes
He died with his wife's name on his lips William
Bigey was still alive when founa, but died In ten
minutes Charles Tuster was found outside Of the
cabin lying on his face. He was not dead, and
told them that he had run out there as soon as he
could recover from the shock OF the explosion. He
was almost baked, his skin was parched and little
jets OF blood stood out from the pores OF
his body. In two hours he was dead.
Geo Mccain lay dead in exactly the same position
he was In when the nrst mate left him, but half
an hour before. VIM. Kelley was pulled out from
under his bunk and was alive, but he was also
ribly burned. Chas Chambers, the other man
who slept In the cabin. was blown out OF the door,
and had q miraculous escape. The omcers'of the
boat can give no conception OF the accident, and
claim the machinery was inspected last February,
and was then In excellent condition. An Inquest
viii be held this afternoon, and all the BODIES re-
The Convoy was built at sweeneys foundry In
Jenersonvine last February, and was owned by
Thomas Fawcett Sons. OF Pittsburg. Those In
charge were Capt John Richardson, Pilot Louis
Reno, First Mate VIM. Kerins, and Engineer Tom
Carr. The boat was on It's return TO Pittsburg,
having LETT here lasa night with six emptie6