The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-24
3 KILLED AND 9 INJURED.
FATAL EXPLOSION ON BOARD THE
sTEAMER NUTMEG STATE.

New ana sidcs Adjacent TO 1t Biown Out and
Twelve Members or Her Crow Killed or Hurt
seriousiy-The Fumes OF Naphthn Used In
Cleapipg Supposed 10 Have Been Set on Firo.
BRIDGEPoRT, Conn, July 23.-An explosion
occurred on the steamer Nutmeg State OF the
Bridgeport line while she was lying at her dock
at the foot of South avenue q few minutes be-
fore z o'clock tonight Three men were killed
and nine injured seriously, while several per-
sons received minor injuries. Some Of the more
seriously injured may die. The dead and In
jured all belong in New York and were employed
as deckhands. Tho cause Of the explosion Is not
known definitely as yet. Tho officials OF the
company have not made a statement.
Tho dead are Timothy Reardon, Patrick
Moran, and Jerry O'Connell. Reardon died
on the operating table at tho Emergency
Hospital while the doctors were preparing to
dress his wounds. Patrick Moran was taken
out of the wreck of the forecastle with his neck
broken, and Jerry o'Connell. who had both logs
fractured and was injured internally. died q
few minutes after he had been removed to the
General Hospital.
The injured are Michael Reardon, Patrick
Glennon, Michael McGarvey. Edward Lynch,
John Hartnet, John Carroll, Michael Sullivan,
and Patrick Kiley. All the injured except the
last two arc at the General Hospital. They are
burned and bruised, and some are injured inter
nally.
At the time of the explosion the men were all
seated at q table eating supper, which had been
served forward on the main deck. directly over
the forecastle, where the hunks in which the
men slept were situated. There were a dozen
men at the table. Aterrifc explosion came and
mono of the men seated at the table can tell
what occurred.
The complete wreck of the bow Of the boat tells
the story. The main deck, above which the ex-
plosion took place. 10 torn in pieces and the tim
bers badly shattered and reduced to splinters.
The timbers and siding on both sides of the boat
were blown out completely, leaving it wide open.
The force Of the explosion, shattered only the
slept. Tho upper deck was not injured.
Some Of the men at tho table were thrown into
side Of the bow Of the boat 1"0s
An alarm Of fire was sent and when the on.
gines arrived there was plenty of smoke but
and then the hremen assisted in sesrching or
sont 10. When the extent Of the explosion be.
came known o call was sent out for physicians
The dock was soon crowded. At first 1t was
reported that q number Of passengers had been
s Esaiea' H PSo Te poIise han ana a fb hsrd lob 5st To- Eee % the
interfering with the work Of getting out the
dead and wounded.
Tonight 1t is impossible to learn the real cause
Of the explosion. During the afternoon a bug
"exterminator.' which Is said to contain a large
amount Of naphtha. had been used on the mat
tresses OF the hunks in which the men slept.
Gasoline also had been used to clean the hold.
According to the story told by one Of the men.
during the supper one Of the hands left the
table and went below into the forecastle. 1t is
supposed he struck q match while there and the
gas from the naphtha, which had been used In
explosion occurred either In the forecastle,
where the hunks, are or in the hold underneath.
The steamer Is badly damaged and will have IL
go in dry dock.
b. NJ. Read, the man who used the naphthe
on the mattresses in the forecastle which Is said
to have caused tho explosion, surrendered him
self at Police Headquarters tonight. He was
allowed to go after being ordered to appear be
fore Coroner Dolcn tomorrow morning.