Constitutional Whig

FROM THE SAVANNAH GEORGIAN OF DEC 5.

On Saturday afternoon about three o'clock, a tremendous explosion took place on board the steamboat Andrew Jackson, when within about three quarters of a mile of this city, on her way from Charleston for Augusta. Such was the force of the explosion, that the boat immediately sunk, and now lies on the outer edge of the Garden Bank.

So serious as is the loss of property by this disaster; the loss of life is a more melancholy consideration; the crew were taken from the wreck, and immediately conveyed to town. One of the legs of the Engineer, was broken in two places, and he was otherwise so badly wounded, that, although he received the best medical assistance, he died the same evening. His name was John Syphon, a native of Charleston, where we understand he has left a family. One man, by trade a mason, a native of Ireland, who was working his passage to Augusta, was carried to the Hospital dreadfully scalded, and also died on Saturday evening.

One of the hands, a free mulatto man named Austin Knight, who also was conveyed to the Hospital, is so badly injured that his recovery is doubtful. Two other hands Paul and Boston, slaves, were slightly scalded. Capt. B was on deck at the time of the explosion, and was uninjured--fortunately there were no passengers on board but the one mentioned, or the consequences might have been more fatal.

Numerous small boats immediately proceeded to the scene of disaster, and the steamboats George Washington, Capt. Curry, and the Charleston, Bannuell, were also despatched to aid in saving the cargo, but from the situation of the wreck nothing was effected. Hopes however are entertained that the boat may be raised, and the cargo saved. The injury received by the boat is probably so great, however, as to render her useless if it is effected. She was insured, we understand, in Charleston for $5000, and probably most of her cargo was also insured in that city.

The Andrew Jackson was an old boat, but had been completely refitted, and her boilers were new. The engine was on the high pressure principle; but the immediate cause of the melancholy event, since the death of the Engineer will probably never be known.