SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. WILLIAM MISKIN, WITH LOSS OF LIFE.

Evening Post, Issue 25, 8 March 1865, Page 3

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. WILLIAM MISKIN, WITH LOSS OF LIFE.

It is our pain'ul duty to chronicle a melancholy accident which befel the s.s. William Miskin while on her passage to the Molyneux, and which, we regret to say, has resulted in the death of one person, and in the serious injury of two others. The accident — bursting of the boiler— occurred on Thursday last, forty minutes after she left Waikava. She left that port at one o'clock in the afternoon, bound for the Molyneux. A strong breeze was blowing at the time, accompanied with a heavy sea. For nearly an hour all went well, and during that time she was making way through the water under 251b steam, her topsails being at the same time set, At ten minutes to two, however, the boiler exploded, and the vessel was instantly enveloped in steam. The shock is said to have been a slight one, but its effect upon those in the immediate vicinity of the boiler, and upon the vessel itself, were of a very serious nature, although it is a matter for wonder that the vessel and all on board were not utterly destroyed. At the time of the accident the engineer and two firemen occupied the engine-room, and the attention of those who had escaped injury was instantly directed towards them. They were quickly brought on deck, and they were then found to have been severely scalded, and they suffered much. They were placed in the cabin, and every attention paid to them. One of them, especially, the stoker, named Wilson, suffered greatly. He lingered till twelve o'clock at night in great pain, when death put an end to his agonies. The attention of the crew was then directed to the vessel itself, which began to make water very fast. The pumps were kept in constant operation during the night, and fortunately the water was expelled faster than it gained upon her. la the meantime the sails were set, and the vessel was steered for Fort Chalmers, and at twelve o'clock she made the Heads, where she anchored. The pilot-boat was quickly alongside, and at once returned to the shore again, and medical assistance and a steam tug from Fort Chalmers were immediately signalled for. The steamer Samson then steamed dovra the bay, and was alongside the William Miskin by one o'clock. The William Miskin was safely brought up, and arrived in Dunedin Harbour about five in the afternoon, when the two injured men, Andrew Bagley and James Smith, and the body of Wilson were brought ashore. Bagley and Smith are now having their injuries attended to in the hospital, and the body of the deceased lies at the Supreme Court Hotel. Bagley is much injured about the face, and Smith about the hands and feet. We are glad to say that in their case no serious consequences are apprehended. We understand that an inquest will be held this day on the body of Wilson. — Otago Mail.