The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-28
The Whole Forward Part Of the Vessels
Upper Works Was Destroyed.
SHOCKING FATE OF TIE CAPTAIN.
Wsdgsd in Staisoom and Almost Roasted Alive
Before Aid Could Reach Him -Groans and
Screams Of the Sca|ded We're plilful.

river accident in the history OF Stock
ton occurred at 4:S0 yesterday morning
near Fourteen Mile Slough when a sec
tion of one of the boilers OF the river
steamer T. c. Walker, which left San
Francisco about s o'clock Saturday
night, was blown out. killing six and
dangerously wounding IL persons. while
probably 10 or 20 were more or less bad
ly hurt.
The Il. c. Walker is owned by the
California Navigation and Improve
ment Company and ran between San
Francisco and Stockton.
THE DEAD.
John Tulan, captain of the Walker.
r. G. Blunt, agent in charge OF the
shipping of sugar beets from the Moss
tract TO the Crockett factory.
Watson Henry. engineer of the Il. G.
Walker, Stockton.
Mrs. Henry, wife OF engineer.
Jerry DAILY. fireman.
Ferdinand Law, passenger. badly
scalded, died at hospital last night.
INJURED.
George p. Smith, n native OF Massa-
chusetts deck hand, burned about the
face and body.
James Corcoran, deck hand, will
probably die.
Jack Holberg, known as Jack Sperry
watchman. injured In head and scafded
over entire upper part of body.
Cobatti Dominica, deck hand, scalded
about head and face and back injured.
John Burns, deck hand, burned about
head.
q. f. oppiano of San Francisco, pas
senger. injured in the face and breast.
Paul Jones. stevedore, scalded about
face and hands.
Louis Brizzelino. San Francisco, wine
merchant, badly injured.
John Flgoni of Stockton, deck hand,
head cut and back hurt.
The majority of the passengers were
in bed when the explosion occurred and
were awakened by the report, which
was as loud as a cannons roar. Peo-
pie rushed from their rooms I'm their
night clothes The whole forward por-
ton of the steamers upper works was
blown away.
The screams OF the men who were
locked in their rooms near the pilot
house were heartrending. Capt. John
Tulan had been blown from his bed
against the door OF the stateroom and
so seriously injured that he could not
move. The door could not be forced
open, as he was jammed against ii. One
OF the employees of the boat Secured an
axe and cut the upper part OF the room
away, and finally removed him, but
not until he was virtually roasted alive.
When pulled out the flesh dropped from
his bones in large pieces.
Watson Henry the chief engineer,
and his wife were in their room near
the pilot house. Mrs. Henry was
blown a distance OF 90 feet to the bow
- ha nd
ana so badly scalded with escaping
steam that her injuries proved fatal.
Mr.. Henry was badly rcalded and died
shortly after being Brought 10 the city.
Mr.. Blunt was instantly killed. He
was standing ON the lower deck. as he
tance above the place where the ex-
plosion occurred
Jerry DAILY was 10 the freehold The
escaping steam completely enveloped
him, scarcely a portion OF his body
escaping the scorching vapor. He died
at the receiving hospital.
Underneath the lower deck. where the
deck hands slept. the groans and
screams were terrible. for the unfortu-
nate imprisoned men were receiving the
full force OF the steam as II came from
the boilers. Eight of them were almost
roasted alive. Those who were able
made their way 20 the deck as best
they could. while the more seriously
injured were unable To get out. Arms
and faces OF those I'm the main en-
trance were friehtfully scalded.
About an hour after the explosion the
passenger steamer Dauntess, coming
from San Francisco. hove in sight. She
rendered Immediate assistance and all
the wounded and unin1ured were taken
aboard. A telephone message was sent
20 this city, and the steamer Clara
Crow. with several physicians with
medicines, etc, were sent TO the aid OF
the Dauntless. The relief boat met the
Dauntless a short distance down the
river. and the physicians We're quickly
taken on board A terrible sight greet
ed them. Capt. Tulan was breathing
his last. Mrs. Henry was lying I'm the
ladies' cabin. and every effort was made
TO relieve her sufferings. On the lower
deck the injured employees OF the boat
were located. Means and screams
which could not be repressed were ut
tered by the injured men Everything
possible was done 90 relieve their agony.