Martinsburg Gazette

From the Baltimore American, April 15,

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 trip. 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 others wise 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 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 cross-wise of 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 over board, 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 in the air and fell on shore, in the water, and on boats lying near by. Others were crushed with the splintering 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. 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.

From the same Paper of Saturday

THE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION

The truly painful duty is imposed upon us of adding to the list of the deaths occasioned by the fearful explosion on board the Medora on Thursday, the names of several of the sufferers who have since expired from the injuries then received, and of those who were missing and whose bodies have been recovered from the wreck. The most melancholy occurrence, by which so many human beings in the full enjoyment of health and vigor have been suddenly cut off, has not only visited with grief and mourning the immediate relations and friends of the deceased, but has cast a deep gloom over the whole city.

LIST OF THE DEAD.

The following is a complete list of the persons who were killed by the explosion, or have since died from its effects, as ascertained up to nine o'clock last night. The number of the dead, thus far, is twenty three! The last six in the list were those who were taken out of the water in the course of yesterday. From the condition of some of the sufferers, it is feared that others will be added to it :

John C. Moale, William Moale, Joseph Lecompte, Capt. John Vickers, Edmund Young, Benjamin French, John Boon, John Burns, Andrew F. Henderson, Richard Linthicum, Robert Doyle, John Speddy, George Endly, Thomas Eldridge, John Harper, John Haley, John Boston, William Lewis, George Geddes, S. W. Hackney, M. D., James W. Lavers, James Mitchell and John Kemp.

From the Baltimore Patriot of Saturday

More of the Steamboat Disaster

—After our edition of yesterday went to press, the firing of cannons was kept up for some time, and the workmen and citizens generally continued clearing away the wreck, and diligently searching for others supposed to have met the fate of those previously mentioned. About five o'clock they succeeded in finding another body, that of Mr. Kemp, about 28 years of age, a painter, residing in Thomson street.

We learn that Mr. Robert Doyle, who was badly scalded, has since died.

It has been determined to continue prosecuting the labors already commenced until the boat is raised and while there is a hope of recovering one of the unfortunate number lost. The hands were at work endeavoring to remove the engine yesterday, parts of which have already been placed on shore.

These are the latest particulars we have heard. The entire number of those far and those who have died since the accident from its effects is TWENTY. The wounded number, as far as we have been able to ascertain, THIRTY-SIX.

ADDITIONAL

Deaths By The Explosion.—We are pained to add to the number of those who have died of injuries sustained by the explosion on board the Medora on Thursday last, the names of Duncan Ferguson, the Engineer in charge of the boat; John Yeager, late Engineer at Lansdowne Factory ; and Jackson Reeder, son of Mr. Charles Reeder.

We were misled in placing the name of Thomas Eldridge among the names of the dead. He is yet living, but in a critical condition.

The number of deaths by the explosion, thus far ascertained, is twenty-five.

It is yet quite doubtful whether some four or five of those who have received injuries will recover.—American.