The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-08-20

Newport, r. l. - g.. Thirty
four persons were scalded to dealt
and 81 were seriously burned by es'
Gaping steam when a boiler in the en-
CINE room of the excursion steamer
Mackinac exploded late yesterday
while the boat was passing the New
port naval training station in Nara
gansett Bay bound from Newport to
Pawtucket with GIT excursionists
aboard. Two persons are missing.
Physicians at the naval hospital
stated that they expected the death
list to mount to at least 45 within the
next few hours. 1t would be days,
they said, before the more seriously
injured were out of danger.
Trapped on Two Decks.
The majority of the dead and in
jured were trapped on the first and
second decks when the boiler explod-
ed. No report was heard and those
on board said that their first warning
was escaped steam, which came in
such volume that they were powerless
to escape.
The accident happened within
stones throw Of the naval hospital
less IMAM lOO ydluS rum SAoASt NN'E
erwise the casualty list would have
been trebled, passengers said today.
The Mackinac was q one-funnel
steamer equipped with 750 horsepower
engines. Her gross tonnage was BIZ.
She was built at Ferrysburg, Mich, in
1909 and for a while was in service on
the Great Lakes, and then between
Norfolk and Baltimore.
The excursionists, including many
women and children, were homeward
bound from an outing, at Newport.
A patch on the boiler, which had
been placed there just before the de-
parture of the boat, gave way, explod-
ing the boiler and throwing the pas
sengers into panic.
Captain Thomas McVey, of Paw
tucket, the skipper, said the boat was
travelling fifteen knots ar hour, it's
fullest speed and was loaded to ca
pacity.
Passengers who described the. scene
said it was one of tremendous confu-
sion. A distress call was Immediately
sent out by the wireless operator and
launches from the forty naval ships
at anchor in the cove rushed to the
decks were the victims, observers-said,
especially those amidship near the
boiler room. The commands of the
officers were obeyed to the letter by
the stricken passengers, those who
came out unscratched said today. I'M
mediately there was rush for the
rails. Others climbed to the gun
wales and attempted to reach the top
deck. Boats were lowered when it was
thought the craft was going to sink.
Steam Envetbped Ship.
Many of the victims failed to hear
the report and their first warning was
the swift rush Of deadly steam which
trapped them. Those who saw the dis
aster ashore said that steam enyel-
oped the ship to such a degree thaa
she could not be seen from shore.
The navy rescue parties worked
feverishly to get the passengers OF.
Captain Charles {. Riggs, command
ing officer at the hospital, had sum-
moned every available navy physician
as we'll as priests and ministers from
the naval vessels in the harbor.
Inside Che hospital two wards were
prepared to receive the victims. SO
swiftly did they come, that many were
placed on floors outside.
The majority of those who died at
the naval hospital were in such shape,
physicians said, that they could only
try to make their last moments as
painless as possible.
Amid the moaning and screaming
victims walked clergymen of all de-
nominations giving spiritual aid.
Early today there were 35 injured
at the naval hospital. Naval plysi-
clans said that several and perhaps
ell Of these patients might die.
Crew Shared Fate.
Many Of the Mackinac's crew shared
the fate Of unfortunate passengers.
Some twenty are injured, several seri-
ousJy, and few arc dead.
The ships officers with the excep-
ton of Chief Engineer John Grant, Of