The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-10-21

sure. this being the normal pressure
under forced draught.
II Immediately gave the alarm. and
everyone left the engine room, knowing
there was an accident somewhere. ex-
ceDt myself; being forced to remain IN
order 10 answer signals from the captain.
who. having discovered something was
wrong. but being unable 10 locate II.
had turned the boat In the direction Of
shore.
discovering later what the trouble
was. CAPTAIN Patterson Kept In the mid
die OF the stream and let 20 the anchor.
On receiving the %. X bell left the
engine room and went on deck.
by this time the hatch was open and
the victims we're being lifted from below
to the deck. None Of them was at that
time dead and the scene was one Of the
most agonizing ever witnessed.
"As the injured mon were dragged on
deck the flesh in several Instances
drooDed from their hands and other ex-
posed portions Of their bodies.
ALEX. johnson. one Of the injured
fremen now in the hospital. performed
a heroic deed which will probably cost
him his life. As soon as the hatch was
lifted. Johnson. who is one OF the men
in the after fire-roOm. descended to res
cue the men and was overcome by the
flames and boiling water. and mad to be
lifted himself out OF tho fre-room.
sealded in a horrible manner.
johannes woln. son and partner Of
the senior member OF the firm Of woif
& Zwicker. was the second man TO de-
scend to the rescue OF the injured men.
He fortunately escaped without serious
injury. but that detraets nothing from
the bravery OF the deed.
"As fast as the men we're taken out
OF the fre-room they were placed in
charge OF DR.. Thornton. the firms sur
geon. who was aboard.
Johannes wolff and one Of the crew
by this time had launched a life boat
and left for the Oregon shore to tele-
graph for assistance. Within half an
hour the Harvest Queen with n ship in
tow hove in sight. The Queen. on being
sIgnalled. anchored the ship and came
to our relief and took US in tow and
headed for Astoria.
'In the meantime Fireman McNelly
and Luiihle had died.
"Just above Tongue Point we met the
tug Relief with Drs. Fulton and Tuttle
on board. responding to the telegram sent
by Mr.. wOif. Just as they boarded US
Fireman Wood died Tne arriving ply
sicians had c consultation with DIR.
Thornton and decided that nothing could
be done for the remaining injured men
until Astoria was reached.
"As 10 the cause OF the accident. Of
course have my own theory. But, since
the boat was in charge Of the Official
trial board at the time. II would not be
proper FOR me to advance any opinion
until their investigation is made"
From another member Of the crew who
was on board. 1t was learned that the
accident was due to the explosion Of
some OF the boiler tubes. The collapse
OF these tubes In the after end OF the
boiler allowed the steam and water
to enter the fire boxes. blowing open the
furnace doors and filling the little room
with the mingled horrors Of living
flames and boiling water
As soon as the Davis arrived at the
dock Coroner Pohl was summoned and
took charge Of the bodies Of the dead
fremen. The four injured fremen were
taken on stretohers to St. Mary's hos
pital and placed IN a small ward on the
second floor.
The unfortunate men presented a hor-
rible sight. Their entire bodies had the
appearance OF being literally cooked.
of the flesh hung in shreds and
the face of Fireman Wood was swollen
badly, and all Of them appeared to be in
terrible agony.
At about 10 o'clock last night the re-
naming sufferers succumbed to their
frightful injuries; all dying within brief
intervals. making seven victims Of the
disaster.