New-York tribune., 1901-08-30
ECHOES OF RIVER DISASTER.
AT LEAST FIFTEEN LIVES LosT-wAs THE
CITY OF TRENTON RACING?

Philadelphia Aug 2s-From the most authentic
reports received up o'clock this afternoon i' Is
believed that least fifteen persons lost their '7
in the steamboat explosion on the Delaware River
yesterday afternoon There are eight bodies at 'ie
morgue of which six thus far been identiIieo-
The list of missing numbers between ten anu IA
teen, of which number at least half dozen are
surely dead. Nine injured victims still remain IN
the hospital the House Of Correction anu
twenty-five others have been discharged from inc
institution. OF the injured still in the hospital TWO
probably will die.
Graphing for the bodies supposed to be In the
river is going without intermission The sea
valves of the burned steamer have been opened.
and the water in the hull is being puHlpeu
out 1t is believed by the police officials that some
of the missing will be found in the bottom OF 'ie
vessel.
According to the statement of the widow OF the
dead assistant engineer, John p. Chew. the nI'
had presentiment of death Mrs Chew says tnti. nc!
before leaving home for Work on IueS""E
her husband said:
Lizzie I NAV never see you again nave
presentinent that there will be an explosion on me me-
boat If there is there will be no escape peressnre
They are running at too high steam pIeesu pIesSars
and If an accident should occur ana man! '''
will be killed
Never in the history OF the Delaware Flve
there been such keen rivalry between the hHeS "a
river steamers during this season On O'' - -
upper and lower parts of the river races nave 80
of daily occurrence. Only few weeks ago "
crew OF the Trenton steamer Poconoket Was 0
sured by Coroner Dugan for failing TO go 10 '"e
assistance of some persons who were dro"h'le'
At the time il is said the Poconoket was rac'He
with the Twilight the boat that led the CITY Oh
Trenton Yesterday when the explosion occurred.
Between Philadelphia and Wilmington the
steamer lines for a time virtually advertised races
between their vessels. For nearly a week the O41S
o. Chester and Brandywtne, on one line. ana 'he
Diamond State on the other, met and raced 10
finish every day. Public sentiment, however
caused the patronage TO fall off, and a rule was
tEen made prohibiting the speed contests. .o5ax,
that the matter would be thoroughly inVeStiedleG
by his department, and if the charge OF racing Wts
sustained the officers and crew OF the ~recAeu
steamer would be arrested.
ployed by the Neafe & Levy ShipoulIdlns ON.
pany builders Of the City Of Trenton, recetitI9
overhaued the boats boilers. He said to-day tlat
there doubt in his mind that the eApIostpplI
was due the exhaustion OF the water II tLe
boilers. He gave il his opinion that the oosa
being run too fast and this exhausted inc
water. -.
The boat was fifteen minutes late when she left
her wharf yesterday afternoon and Il Is said that
much Of this lost time had been made up when
the explosion occurred.
the officials Of the company deny emphatcally the
statement that the City OF Trenton was racing
with the steamer Twilight of the opposition line
when the explosion occurred. The Twilight ana
City Of Trenton close together at the mo-
ment OF the explosion. the former heing IN the
lead Those on board the Twilight did not hear
the explosion or know OF the mishap to the rival
boat until too late be Of assistance.
Captain Worrel OF the City Of Trenton visited
the wreck this morning. and in answer 10 ques-
tions insisted that his boat was not racing. There
explosion beyond that offered by Reinhart. the
machinist.