Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1901 — DEATH ON A BURNING SHIP. [ARTICLE]

DEATH ON A BURNING SHIP.

Elaven Person. Killed, *3 Injured la Disaster Near Philadelphia. Eleven persons dead, four missing, and twenty-three injured, many probably fatally, are the results of & boiler explosion on the steamer City of Trenton Wednesday afternoon. The steamer was on its way from Philadelphia to Trenton, N. J. It is feared that even this list of casualties may not be complete, for many passengers Jumped into the water, and the hold of the vessel perhaps hides the bodies of more victims. After the explosion the ship took fire and the passengers and crew were forced to leap into the river. Later the vessel ran ashore. Those dead are: J. D. Chew, assistant engineer; Mrs. Elizabeth Green, Philadelphia; Arthur Lansing, molder, Trenton, N. J.; August Mable, deck hand, Philadelphia; Matt Mable, fireman, Philadelphia; James O’Connell, fireman, Wilmington, Del.; boy pas-

senger, body not identified; four men passengers, bodies not identified. Passengers and members of the crew were hurled across the deck by the explosion, several being killed outright, while a number sustained serious injuries. Others were pinned down by timbers and scalded with steam and boiling water which was scattered from one end of the vessel to the other. A panic followed, but the officers restored order after a time. When the fire appeared all still aboard had to jump into the water. As the boat was nearing the land even those who could not swim were able to keep above the surface until rescue parties arrived. The forward portion of the upper deck was well filled with passengers, while many r others were in the cabin. Before any of the passengers or employes had an opportunity of seeking places of safety another explosion occurred, and this time the port boiler was rent in twain. Scalding steam and water poured into the cabin, and sections of the woodwork of the boat were torn away. Those of the passengers who were not injured by the scalding steam and boiling water were struck by the flying portions of the splintered cabin. Legs and arms were broken and faces and bodies were parboiled. The screams of the injured could be heard on shore.