New-York tribune., 1901-03-18
DEAD ON THE NEW YORK
EXPLOSION AT SEA CAUSES
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
THE LINER BREAKS A SCREW SHAFT.
WHICH is SOON REPAIRED-OUT
WARD VOYAGE DELAYED.

The big ocean liner New-York, of the Ameri-
can Line. steamed slowly up the North River
last night to her pier like limping giant. She
had just arrived from Southampton after voy-
age filled with the greatest excitement. There
was explosion board of her last Thursday
as a result of which two lost their lives.
and on Friday she broke a shaft near the
propeller.
Reports of the explosion reached the pier
ahead of the vessel and those who were wait
ing for friends were filled with apprehension
and fear. The extent of the damage done by
the explosion and the part of the vessel in
which it had taken place were not known, but
it rumored that many had been killed and
others terribly injured. When the saloon pas
sengers had disembarked. the people outside
the ropes strung along the pier by the customs
inspectors crowded the incomers
they could get and asked them anxious ques
tiOns Happily. il found that the reports
of the explosion had been somewhat exag-
gerated
AT 6:3O o'clock on Thursday, March H. the
bonnet of the condenser of the after refrigerat-
ing apparatus gave way. The apparatus is on
the starboard side of the main deck. The bulk
head in which it is was Immediately filed with
the overpowering fumes of escaping ammonia
Many of the steerage passengers and about a
"
vessel, and so quickly did the fumes surround
them that several of them We're made helpless.
The rest cried for help and struggled to get out
where they could obtain fresh air
TAKEN TO SHIPS HOSPITAL
AS fast possible the victims were taken
to the ships hospital, where they were treated
DR.. Hutchinson. the ships physician directed
the work and sent those who could not be ac-
Commodated IN the hospital 10 comfortable
berths afterward. In few hours. Carl Engk
visit. a steerage passenger. died result of
the fumes ne had inhaled Engkvist had heart
disease. and that is given as the cause of his
death. but there is doubt that his death
directly brought by the Inflammation caused
by the ammonia Engkvist was bringing three
of his children to this country. They will be
taken 10 relatives in this city
Thirty-sx hours after the explosion John
Kent steward died from pneumonia. The am
monia fumes had trritated and weakened his
lungs and thus caused pneumonia. Both Engk-
visit and Kent were buried at sea.
Ten other stewards and several more pas
sengers required treatment. They suffer
ing from Inflammation of the eyes and respira-
tory tract BY the time the New-York haG
reached port the condition OF the sufferers had
greatly improved, and IT said last night
that in two or three days the men would be en-
to be sent 10 a hospital or shore. He was the
only one whose condition remained dangerous.
Another victim whose name could not be Sc
cured will also have 10 be sent TO a hospital.
He is suffering from shock and general debility.
but his condition is not regarded cause for
anxiety
The explosion of the condenser naturally threw
all the ships passengers into state of high
citement. They were soon assured that they
were in no danger. and then they turned to
doing what they could to help those who had
been hurt
At "a o'clock on the morning Of the fol-
lowing day. Friday March II. the passengers
were again alarmed by the breaking of a screw
shaft near the propeller The sea was smooth
at the time and that permitted an examination
of the break to be made almost Immediately \
boat was lowered and the propeller was in
spected While the ship lay TO work repair
ing the damage begun. The propeller
fastened in with iron hawsers. and after
delay of two or three hours the vessel proceeded
on it's course. The first and second assistant
engineers were on duty at the time.
The New-York reached Fire Island early yes
terday afternoon, and should have made her
pier by o'clock. Her slowness I'm coming up
the harbor was the first thing to arouse the sus-
plcion that something unusual had happened on
board The first report came from Quarantine.
but II was vague and indefinite. and
spOnsible for the uncertainty that kept those
waiting on the pier in such uneasiness.
The pier was reached shortly after 10 O'Clock.
An unusually large force of inspectors
hand and got through with their work as soon
as they could. they being almost eager
the passengers to get to their homes.
TALK WITH MIR. WRIGHT.
James A. Wright, agent of the American Line
and vice-president of the company, went on
board the New York as possible and
got an account of the incidents of the voyage.
From what he learned, Mr. Wright said last
night that he did not think the NewYork would
have TO go into drydock. He said that it was
not probable that the New-York would start
outward bound on Wednesday. she had been
scheduled to do. The Kensington OF the Red
Star Line sails for Antwerp Wednesday. and
those who have engaged passage on the New
York will be transferred to the kensingtOn il
they wish.
Adelbert S. Hay. United States Consul at Pre-
toria, of the passengers the New
York. He said that the first part of the voyage
been comparatively pleasant. Mr.. Hay said
that while the passengers had been greatly ex-
cited over the explosion. they were by means
thrown into panic
Other passengers told various stories. all ad-
hitting that the voyage had been extraOrdi-
narily eventful