Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-05


Philadelphia, Pa. Aug. 29--While
the steamboat City Of Trenton OF the
Wilmington Steamboat Go. was on her
way from this city TO Trenton, N. j.,
yesterday afternoon, her port boiler ex.
plcded, killing seven persons and in
juring' over a. SCORE of others. -Four
passengers are missing n
After the explosion the steamer took
fire and ran aground. She lies q
wrecked and blaokened hulk ia the
marshes opposite Torresdale, l6 miles
above this city.
The steamer had been making daily
trips between Philadelphia and Trer-
ton, stopping at Burlington, N. j.,
Bristol, Pa, and other places on the
way. She left the company Is wharf at
1.45 O'Clock yesterday afternoon, 10
minutes behind her schedule time
Her passenger list was lighter than
usual, and she carried little freight.
The sessel was in charge of Capt.
w. A. Worrell. The other officers were:
Edward Curry, pilot; J. w. Vanderyeer,
mate; Edward Murphy, chief engi-
neer; J. ID. Chew, assistant engineer.
and CLAYTON Reybold, purser. There
were about IL iiremen and deck hands
aboard.
Nothing Of moment occurred until
the boat reached Toiresdale. Opposite
what ia known as the Harrison Man
sion, spacious building fronting the
Delaware River at that subui ban re,
sort, the steam pipe connecting with
the port boiler burst with loud re-
port. The forward portion of the upper
deck was well filled with passengers,
while many others were 10 the cabin.
Before any Of the passengers had an
opportunity to seek places of safety
another explosion occurred, and this
time the port boiler was rent In twain.
Sea ding steam and water poured into
the cabin. Sections of the steamer S
woodwork we're torn away by the force
OF this explosion.
Nearly all the passengers who we've
not burned by the steam and boiling
water were struck by the flying parts
OF the splintered cabin. Legs and arms
n were broken and faces and bodies we're
H parboiled. The screams of the injured
y could be heard ON shore. The cries of
ithose who leaped or were blown into
\ the river were heartrending.
So great was the force Of the ex-
4plosion that a piano Ia the upper
awingroom of the boat was hurled
Unto the river. This proved fortunate
circumstance for many of the injured.
Thrown into the water, soalded and
otherwise injured so that they were
= rendered almost helpless, they chung to
the piano, which had fallen into shall
low water, until rescued.
\ When the explosions occurred Mate
AVanderyeer and Pilot Curry were in
the pilothouse. Both were huiled with
ferrifio force from the little Enclosure.
The wheel, for some unaccountable
eason, began revolving with lightning
hpidity. As result OF this the rudder
lrnad the bow of the boat toward
|lsGe and she quickly ran aground,
1ing herself In the mud.
this tins the vessel had caught
md those OF the passengers who
still aboard were compelled to
for their lives. Fortunately the
Alter was not more than four feet
eep and many OF the victims were
ble to wade ashore. Some who were
n DO seriously injured to help them.
Ives were rescued by members of the
Rt clubs whose houses line the river
pit at Torresdale.
he captain and crew OF the boat
\ Quoted themselves like heroes. They
N sred all the assistance possible to
\ injured, and Capt. WoTrell WAS the
man to leave the vessel.
Q most seriously injured were
b to a hospital at Holmesburg,
Il y three miles below Torresdale.
N and women with the flesh hanging
NJ their limbs and bodies bore their
ing like stoics, and some even
d while the doctors laved the raw
4 N eeding flesh with cooling lotions.
ief Engineer Murphy, who was on
when the accident happened,
A ted to officials of the steamboat
N any that the boiler which ex-
II carried only $50 pounds of
VI He also maintained that there
F1xyen inches of water in the boiler
n * time of the explosion.
III II having made as careful an in
"A ttion as was possible under
III kpumstances, Vice President and
Horace Wilson last night
NJ following statement for the
AL ~. "As near as we can ascertain
H n,u1lne, the accident to the steam.
" FL Of Trenton was due to the
n OF her port boiler, setting
in puseveesel. The surviving eugi-
ample water In the boiler
~ iSa minutes prior TO the ex-
III gag that the boiler pressure OF
NJ Apnly $50 pounds, These
ruilt TO carry 1T5 pounds
Al d passed inspection for
II ted States inspectors in
NJ en- they were subjected
ssure of 263 pounds. just
n the explosion we are 'un-
inc at this time -
III ell of the Trenton dc.
w was running on schedule
NJ Fere 15 minutes late iu
A said, st was 1.4l
\ b pulled out from the
1t 100 passengers aboard.
II later the explosion oc.
III in my Office at the time,
II Edward Curry was al
majority of the pas
he forward decks. The
HI everybody on board,
IA utes there was not d
hi Int. 1t was the port
I'LL and as near as we
"A blew aft, tearing the
IVA the boat out, Curry
N turned her ashore,
N Autes We had the
IN AA re we're managing
m N pretty we'll, aidec
Nv and had most Of
N o way to safety
Nv As far as
N was killed, bu
N and O'Connell
NJ n a trap, aud
knd Deck Hant