The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-10
DISASTER ON THE OHIO
Boiler Bursts on the Towboat
Percy Kelsey.
SEVERAL OF THE CREW KILLED

The Boat Literally Blown to Pieces by the
Exposion and Its Tow of Seven l,arges
and Two Flats OF Coal Scattered and Lost
Captain of the Vessel Escapes Death,
but Is Badly Injured-HorribIe Fate of
tho Pilot.
Pittsburg. Jan. 10.-The towboat Per-
cy Kelsey. owned by w. II. Browns 8
Son OF this city, blew up while going
down the Ohio river, near Glenfeld,
Pa, about IL o'clock in the morning,
and six or eight of the crew were killed
and at least four Of the others are in
Jured. The boat was commanded by
Captain Leslie Jones OF Shousetown,
Pa, and the crew was made up of two
pilots, two engineers, two mates, two
firemen, chambermaid, cook and the
seek hands, in all about twelve persons
The Kelsey left Pittsburg about S
o'clock in the morning with a tow con-
sisting of seven barges and two fats
OF coal, and everything was apparent
ly all right till the explosion took place,
when the boat was literally blown to
pieces and the tow scattered and lost
The hull sunk almost Immediately ana
the shattered portions of the upper
works floated down the river and COW
cred the water in the vicinity OF the
wreck The explosion was most ter
rife and was heard for miles Hun
dreds of persons ran To the river upon
hearing the noise and an awful sight
met their gaze.
Bodies Floating Down Stream.
Bodies were floating down the river
and the debris was scattered far and
wide. but no live person was seen. A
few minutes later Captain Jones ard
three others were picked up alive bAt
badly injured, and one body fioated
ashore near Neville island. The injured
were removed to Neville island. where
everything possible was done To allie
viate their sufferings. IT is believed
that the rest Of the crew were killed
and parties are now searching for their
bodies.
The list Of dead and injured "a far "a
known is: Killed-Milton Woods. pilot,
Allegheny. Pa. aged 20: Thomas Finn,
second engineer: Joseph Lalley, second
mate; Lee Webster. fireman. Lee Bech-
told. fireman and another fireman are
still missing. Injured-Leslie Jones,
captain badly burned and hurt about
the body condition serious; Percy F.
Woods, apprentice pilot aged %, VIII
probably die; David Walker. one of the
crew, serious: Adolph Wandell stew
ard serious; Harry Hanna, deck hand.
not dangerous; Hugh Close, iron work
er. not Of the crew. will die; William
Alexander. Mt. Washington, deck hand,
skull crushed and burned, will die.
Boilers Recently Tested.
II is not known atpresent what caused
the explosion. The boats boilers were
recently tested and found to be in good
condition and the boat was considered
one Of the best and staunchest on the
river. The boat was valued at $4,000.
When she blew up Woods was asleep
in tic pilot house only q few feet from
CAPTAIN Jones. Others of the crew
were also as'eep. TIE pilot was thrown
high In the air and fell right where a
few minutes before the pilot house was.
He was dead when found and a pltabla
sight WAS his son, only few feet away,
injured very badly. He was pleading
to help his father. Captain Leslie
Jones was injured by cut in the head
and his back badly sprained. The
body OF the fireman was blown ashore
right near where the accident occurred
About three OF the crew escaped unin-
| iured.