Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-29
Terrific Explosion on . Ferry Steamer
at Vallejo. Cal.
1t Blows Up ct the Wharf With Seventy
Persons on Board.
Vats Of Petroleum Near Catch Fire and
Burn the Wharf.
The Vessel Sinks With Numerous Vic.
Tins In the Cabin.

| VALLEJO. CAL, February 27.-A disas.
trous explosion occurred this morning at
South Vallejo, on the ferry steamer Julia,
plying between South Vallejo and Vallejo
station. The steamer was about to leave
| her moorings a few minutes after 6 O'Clock,
| and had about seventy persons on board,
many OF whom were going across the strait
to work in the lumber yards on the other
side. just as the dock hands were hauling
in the lines there was a loud explosion, and
sheet OF flame shot in the air. Those
who were on deck at the time were hurled
overheard by the force OF the explosion,
and several of them killed outright by
being struck by pieces of debris which were
sent flying in all directions. The explosion
attracted the attention of persons living
in the vicinity, and men rushed to the as
sistance OF the unfortunate passengers. In
a few minutes all was confusion, for men,
women and children who had relatives on
board the ill-fated Julia were wailing and
wRINa1NG THEIR HANDs
as they rushed around the wharf. The
men on the wharf were anxious to aid, but
there seemed to be but little for them to do,
as most of the passengers were below decks
at the time of the explosion and were either
killed outright or drowned when the water
poured in on them. It had been customary
for passengers to 60 below decks in the
morning, as it vas cold and foggy. The
few who we're on deck, and were not rend-
cred insensible by the force OF the shock.
were quickly assisted ashore by men on the
wharf. To add to the intensity OF the |
scene, large watts OF petroleum stored on
the wharf tfor replenishing the steamer |
tanks, caught fire and the flames spread |
rapidly. The fire companies were unable |
to accomplish anything, as there was no |
water owing to the tide being out, and III |
zen minutes after the explosion about
SIX HUNDRED FEET OF WHARF,
freight depot and telegraph Office were
burning. When the tide came in they
to get supply OF water, and at |
noon had the fire under control. While the
iremen and others were trying to save the |
wharf, large number of boatmen were
rowing around the wreck seeking to recover
The bodies. A number of men from the
United States navy yard at Mare Island
Ind from other steamers assisted in every
way to secure the remains of the passen-
.ers. While the search was going on women
Ind children were standing back from the
burning wharf, and as each body was
brought to the surface and placed in a shed
he crowd would gather around, and an
elative OF the ueau naO reCOgnlZeu Jne
nangled remains. Soon after the explo-
ion occurred, the steamer had burned to
he waters edge and sank to the bottom
nth the greater number of the victims
BURIED UNDER THE DEBRIS
q the cabin. It is believed that between
hirty and forty lives were lost. Up to a
ate hour this afternoon twelve bodies had
cen recovered, two of which were burned be-
ond recognition. The names of the victims
re as follows: Melvin Hodgkins, Joseph
'razas, VIM. Saman, Olef Nelson. Alfred
fadison, Michael Bra nIey, John Brevick,
Vm. Stark, Edward Rule and a man
amed Higgins. The names OF half
I the passengers who were on the steamer
t the time of the explosion are not
nown, and it is impossible to tell how
,any sank with the wreck, but at least
fteen who are known to have been on the
teamer are still missing. Captain Gedge. -,
the Julia, was severely injured,
g was also Charles Heath.
ilot. Twelve or fifteen 9th
rs were also very severely
,jured. The record of the Julia is a bad
ne and this is not the first terrible acci-
ent on the steamer. l.