The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-21

LOUISVILLE, KY, July 20.-The explo-
sion OF the steam pipe that supplied the
engine from the boilers, caused the death
of seven men of the crew Of the tug boat
Convoy, at lao o'clock this morning. The
accident occurred twenty.six miles up the
river, near Westport, Ind, and most of
the men were asleep at the time. The fol-
lowing is q list of the victims:
VIM. Page, English, about twenty-eight
years old, residence unknown.
VIM. Harrigan, Irish, sixteen years old,
residence Soho, Pa.
Robert Jones, about thirty-fve years old,
married, residence Jacks Run, Pa.
VIM. Bigley, forty-two years old, mar
ried, residence Allegheny City, Pa.
Charles Luster, fiity-nine years Of age,
residence Jacks Run, Pa.
George Mccain, twenty-four years old,
residence Pittsburg.
VIM. Kelly, about twenty-five years old,
residence unknown.
When the boat reached Westport, twcn-
ty-six miles up, everything, according to
the first mates story, was running
smoothly. lie took walk back TO the
cabin and found all quiet. lie stopped
and talked TO his friend, George McCann,
who was lying on a lower berth near the
door. The latter half rose in his bed and
remarked: "Ill soon be at home with my
family"
Then he lay down and went to sleep.
The mate returned TO the pilot-house aud
was conyersing with Capt. Reno, the
pilot. They were then two miles above
Westport Suddenly there was a terrific
explosion, the whole boat became cnvcl-
oped in steam, and the machinery stopped.
| The captain, who was asleep, hurricdly
dressed, called his men and made prepa-
rations TO land. The yawl was lowered, q
| line taken on, and the boat was towcd
ashore and made fast 10 tree. Then the
| captain proceeded TO the after-cabin where
the explosion occurred VIM. Page lay
near the door, dead, the blood rushing
from his mouth and ears, and the flesh
scaded off his body. VIM. llarrigan was
in his berth. His death must have been
instantaneous, for he lay in the same pc ST.
ton rs when he retired. Robert Jones
was on the floor and barely alive. lie was
horribly burned and lived but fifteen
minutes. lie died with his wifc's name
on his lips. VIM. Higley was still alive
when found, but died in ten minutes =.
Charles Luster was found outside Of the
cabin, lying on his face. lie was not
dead and told them that he had run
| out there as soon us lac could
recover from the shock Of the explosion.
lie was almost baked his skin was parched
and little jets of blood stood from out the
| pores of the body. In two hours he was
dead. George Mccain lay dead in exact
| ly the same position he was in when the
first mate left him but half nm hour before.
VIM. Kelly was pulled out from under his
bunk and was alive, but lac was also terri
| bly, burned. Charles Chambers, the other
man who slept in the cabin, was blown out
Of the door and had miraculous escape.
The officers Of the boat can give no ex-
| PLANTATION of the accident and claim the
machinery was inspected last February and
was then in excellent condition. An in
quest will be held this afternoon and all
the bodies returned 10 Pittsburg.
The Convoy was built at Swecuy's foun-
dry, in Jacksonville last February, and
was owned by Thomas Fawcctt d 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 its return TO Pittsburg,
having left here lastnight with six empties