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 Time. The following is a list OF victims:
VIM. Page, about twenty-eight years. residence
unknown. VIM. Harr1gan, sixteen years old, resi-
dence Soho, Pa Robert Jones, about thirty y-rive
years old, married. residence Jacks Rum Pa. VIM.
Bigley, forty-two years old, married. residence Al
leghany CITY, Pa. Charles Luster, fifty-nine years
ofsage, residence Jacks Run. Pa. George McCann,
twenty-foui years Old, residence Ptttsburg. VIM.
Kelley, about thirty-hve 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 friend George McCann, who was lying
on a lower berth, near the door. The latter half
rose in his bed and remarked: "Ii soon be at home
with my family"
Then he lay down and went to sleep. The mate
returned to the pilot-house and was conversing
with Captain Reno, the pilot. They were then
miles above Westport. Suddenly there was a ter
rifle explosion, the whole boat became enveloped
tain, who was asleep, hurredIy dressed, called bis
men, and made preparations TO land. The yawi
was lowered, a line taken on, and the boat towed
proceeded TO the after-cabin, where the explosion
occurred. William Page lay near the door dead,
the blood rushing from a. his % mouth & ana ears and
have been instantaneous, for he lay In
Robert Jones was on the door and barely alive. He
was horribly burned and lived but fifteen minutes.
He died with his wife's name on his lips. William
Bigley was still alive when found, 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. La Two hours he was dead.
Geo. McCanu lay dead In exactly the same position
he was In when the first mate left him, but half
an hour before. VIM. Kelley WAS pulled out from
under his bunk and was alive, but he was also ter.
ribly burned. Chas. Chambers the other man
who slept In tho 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
will be held this afternoon, and all the bodies
turned to PtttsburH
The Convoy was built at sweeney's foundry in
Jenersonvlle last February, and was owned by
Thomas Fawcett & sons, OF Pittsburg. Those In
charge were Capt John Richardson, Pilot Louis
Reno, First Nate Wm. kenns, and Engineer Tom
Carr. The boat was on its return to Pittsburg,
having lert here lasa night with six empties