TERRIBLE STEAMER EXPLOSION IN NEW YORK HARBOR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 233, 2 October 1871, Page 4

TERRIBLE STEAMER EXPLOSION IN NEW YORK HARBOR.

{From the San Francisco CaU of Aug. 1.) New York, July 30.— -The States Island Ferry-boat, Westfield, when in Whitehall slip, and crowded with passengers, exploded her boiler at 1.20 p.m. today. The concussion was terrific, shattering the forward part of the boat, and killing and scalding a great number of. people. The hurricane deck.was blown; overboard, and fell over a large number of persons in the water, who were drowned. Tbe scene was beyond description. Men; were struck dumb at the loss of wives aud little ones; women were distracted at the loss of husbands and children, while the little children were crying for their parents, The front of ihe boiler was suddenly blown out, lodging thirty feet distant in the forward part of the boat. The upper cabin was split into a thousand pieces, as au eye-witness expresses it. The forward part of the boat was lifted fifty feet in the air. The smoke, stack fell, and then everything was buried in the hold. Passengers, chairs, stools, horses, benches, and life-preservers dropped into the hold, fronting the huge boiler, which poured out its volume of steam. Many persons were blown overheard. A father and mother had their children blown from their arms. The water for an instant was alive with men, women, and children struggling for life. The after part of the boat, which escaped the force of the explosion, would have been safe for tbe uninjured, but the panic-stricken leaped overboard without regard to consequences. Captain Ullman, of the New-street police, seeing the explosion, was promptly on hand, and the fire alarm was sounded. Dr. Sprene was at the scene within ten minutes, wellprovided with medicines and bandages. He saved several lives by his prudence. The harbor policeboat came to the rescue and gentlemen who were in rowboats at the Battery helped to save. The firemen also went to the rescue, and right bravely did they work. As the debris in the fore part of the hold was removed, the cries of the poor half-boiled victims were heartrending. Stimulants were given them as they struggled for breath, and oil was poured upon their burns. As fast as the wounded were recovered, they were borne to another ferryboat alongside, where they were tenderly cared for by the doctors. Within twenty minutes, ambulances from the Centre-street Hospital were at "Whitehall. The scalded victims were placed in the ambulances, and driven to the hospital at full speed. Private carriages and express wagons were brought into requisition. The insurance patrol wagon took several loads of moaniDg human beings to the hospital. Some died, and many others were delirious with pain. One ambulance was filled with children, whose eyes were closed, and their faces swelled beyond recognition ; their little feet and legs were crooked, and their muscles laid bare. By 4 o'clock 74 persons had been received in the Centre-street Hospital, and five died withm an hour. The scenes were heartrending. Twelve dead bodies were removed from the boat, and four more found iv the water ; five of the wounded have died. Many were placed in carriages and drawn to their homes. The drug stores in the neighborhood were filled. One thousand five hundred persons gathered at the battery within an hour after the explosion. John Nagill, pilot, was thrown forward of the pilot-house 20ft. into the air^ falling ou the boat, and escaping without a scratch. July 30.— Midnight. — The total number known to be killed at this hour reaches 31. Of the unknown dead now in the hospital and station-houses awaiting identification, there are twelve men, six women, six boys and girls, generally under 12 years. The number severely wounded, whose names and residences have been ascertained, is about 70. A large number of those less seriously injured were removed and cared for by friends.