Submitted and transcribed by Dee Gabler Deesroots@aol.com <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/deesroots/Index.html">Dee's Web Page</A> http://members.aol.com/deesroots/Index.html __________________ American, Baltimore (Baltimore American & Commercial Daily Advertiser) Friday Morning, April 15, 1842 Published every morning at No. 2 South Gay street, by Dobbin, Murphy & Bose AWFUL STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION! FEARFUL DESTRUCTION OF LIVES It is our melancholy duty to record the most fearful and fatal Steamboat explosion which has ever taken place on the waters of the Chesapeake. The new and splendid steamboat MEDORA, built for the line between this city and Norfolk, was yesterday rendered a wreck by the explosion of her steam-boiler, attended by a fearful destruction of human life. The Medora was just completed, and preparatory to being turned out from the hands of the machinists, a number of persons were invited to go in her on an experimental trial. The day being pleasant, it is supposed that probably one hundred or more, were on board, including some of the Directors of the Steam Boat Company and their friends, and a number of the hands engaged in finishing the vessel, putting in the machinery, &c, and otherwise connected with the construction or sailing of the boat. Soon after three o'clock, P. M. the boat was about to start from the wharf of the engine builder, Mr. John Watchman, on the south side of the basin, on the proposed trip. A gentleman who was on board informs us that the engine had only made the second revolution, in order to back the Medora from the wharf, when the boiler exploded with a loud noise, carrying upwards a considerable portion of the upper deck and those upon it, and blowing the smoke stacks high into the air. The main force of the explosion was almost exclusively towards the head of the boat, and the portions of the boat around the boiler were torn to pieces. The boiler itself, an immense one of iron, was thrown crosswise on the deck. The boat was instantly enveloped in a cloud of scalding steam, which was inhaled by some with fatal consequences, while others suffered externally in their persons from its effects. Our informant was in the after part of the boat, where the steam had no injurious effect. He states that several persons jumped overboard, and that one of them was drowned. The boat immediately settled in the water until her hull rested on the bottom of the river. In the centre and forward part of the boat there was a fearful destruction of life and limb. Some of those on board were blown high into the air and fell on shore, in the water, and on the boats lying near by. Others were crushed with the splintered timbers; others scalded with the steam; while those below the decks, not having time to escape, were either suffocated by the steam or drowned when the boat sunk. When we reached the scene of desolation we found a large number of persons, among whom were several physicians, busily engaged in endeavoring to assist the injured, and carrying away those who were dead or dying. So great was the confusion that prevailed, and so little was known as to the number and names of the persons on board, that no complete account could be obtained. We annex a list of all those who were injured or killed, as far as could learn them. There are no doubt some who were on board, whose loss will only be known by their not returning to their homes. Captain SUTTON, who had command of the boat, was standing over the boiler when it exploded. He was much injured in the head, and it was very doubtful yesterday whether he would recover. JOHN C. MOALE, Esq., the agent of the steamboat line, was on board with his two sons. Mr. Moale had his right foot dislocated, and was injured in the side and back. Soon after he was taken home, he expired. Mr. Moale's eldest son WILLIAM, a fine lad about 14 years of age, was killed almost instantly. His second son, who was also on board, was dangerously injured. JOSEPH LECOMPTE, had both legs broken and was otherwise much injured. He was blown high into the air, and fell on board the steamboat Constitution lying close by. He died soon after being taken on shore. Capt. JOHN VICKERS, keeper of a public house in McClellan's alley, was blown into the air and fell on the wharf. He was taken up dead. ANDREW F. HENDERSON, Esq., the President of the Steam Boat Line, was scalded severely, and wounded in the head. He appeared to be doing well last night. JOHN WATCHMAN, the builder of the engine of the engine of the boat, injured, but not seriously. ______ YOUNG, ship joiner, blown on board the Constitution - died immediately. BENJAMIN FRENCH, painter, who resided in Potter street - dead. R. H. MIDDLETON, (clerk in the Savings' Bank,) scalded, but not seriously. JOHN HENDERSON, - block and pump maker, Pratt street, scalded in the hand, but not seriously. ALBERT RAMSEY, - engineer of the boat, injured; as was also the assistant engineer-but not dangerously. RICHARD LINTHICUM, - badly scalded, leg broken, and recovery doubtful. DUNCAN FERGUSON, - slightly hurt. ALEXANDER SPAVIN, - not much injured. SAMUEL GLANN, - severely scalded. WEST CULLY, - sailor, badly scalded. JOHN SPEEDEN, - ship carpenter, dangerously wounded-not expected to recover. ______ KAYLOR, - severely scalded. ______ BRENAN, - printer, badly scalded. JAMES WILSON, - (believed to be a workman) severely scalded. WILLIAM ROBERTS, - badly scalded. LAWRENCE RIGGER, - seriously injured. JAMES CLARKE, not expected to live. THOMAS ELDRIDGE, - not expected to live. GEORGE ENLEY, - workman at Watchman's foundry, very badly scalded. JOHN BOON, - printer - dead. DAVID FRAZIER, - badly scalded. PATRICK COLLINS, - very much mutilated. ZACHARIAH NICHOLS, - scalded. FRANCIS BEZYT, - seriously scalded. JACKSON REEDER, - very badly scalded - not expected to live. ______ STRIPPLE, - slightly scalded. JOHN BURNS, - a lad, dead. JAMES CRAWFORD, - badly scalded. JAMES MITCHELL, - missing. JOSEPH GREGG, - seriously scalded. LEVIN BOSTON, - fireman, scalded. FRANCIS McLEER, - missing. GEORGE HOOFNAGLE, - a workman in the establishment of Mr. Watchman, badly scalded. _______ SMITH, - Ship Carpenter living near Canton, very much scalded. Among the Physicians who were promptly on the spot, rendering all aid in their power to the sufferers, were Drs. SMITH, WHITRIDGE, DUNBAR, COLLINS, ROBERTS, THEOBALD, RICH, and MILLER. His Honor the Mayor was also present, doing all in his power that the occasion called for. We hav a note from Mr. A. W. Ennis, 55 Light street wharf, stating that in assisting to disrobe a young man, apparently about 20 years of age, dressed in black, a double cased gold watch fell from his pocket. He expired in a few minutes afterwards. The friends of the deceased can obtain the watch by calling on Mr. Ennis. _____ Mayor's Office Baltimore, April 15th, 1842. ONE HUNDRED MEN WANTED. In consequence of the dreadful accident that happened to the steamboat Medora last evening, ONE HUNDRED MEN ARE WANTED, to clear away the wreck of said boat, and collect the bodies of our citizens that are now missing. The men will assemble at the Mayor's office, this morning, at 6 o'clock. The City Commissioners and Commissioners of Health will meet the Mayor, this morning, at the same hour. SOL. HILLEN, Jr., Mayor.