When was it published?

March 2, 1826 in The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Advertiser

Foreign News March 2, 1826

The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Advertiser

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. Sweet Of Boston, Italian Owner

Q: What keywords are associated?

Steam Boat Explosion, Guayaquil Lima Voyage, Italian Owner Suicide, Passenger Deaths, Fuel Shortages

Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 2

What is this article about?

Letter from Guayaquil dated Oct. 31 reports a steam boat bound from there to Lima exploded at sea after its Italian owner, discouraged by frequent fuel stops and $90,000 investment loss, fired a pistol into the magazine, killing 5 passengers and wounding several; Boston's Mr. Sweet lost baggage.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

A letter from Guayaquil, of 31st of Oct., received at Boston, says, "The steam boat which lately arrived here from England, started hence about a month since for Lima, but when at sea three days, was obliged to put in for fuel. In her passage from here to Guayaquil, she likewise put in 3 or 4 times for the same reason. The owner of the boat, who had invested his whole fortune to the amount of $90,000 in her, was so much discouraged, that while the passengers were at dinner, with exception of five on shore gunning, he went below and fired a pistol into the magazine. The whole quarter deck of the vessel was blown into the air, 5 passengers were killed, and several wounded. Mr. Sweet of Boston, who was on shore, lost all his baggage and many valuable papers. It is supposed the owner, who was an Italian, was insane at the time he fired the pistol, although five minutes before he was sitting at dinner and conversing as usual. The passengers killed belonged to this place, and were very respectable people."

What sub-type of article is it?

Trade Or Commerce Disaster

What keywords are associated?

Steam Boat Explosion Guayaquil Lima Voyage Italian Owner Suicide Passenger Deaths Fuel Shortages

What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. Sweet Of Boston Italian Owner

Where did it happen?

Guayaquil

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Guayaquil

Event Date

About A Month Prior To 31st Of Oct.

Key Persons

Mr. Sweet Of Boston Italian Owner

Outcome

5 passengers killed, several wounded; quarter deck blown up; owner's baggage and papers lost for mr. sweet

Event Details

Steam boat from England arrived in Guayaquil, departed for Lima about a month before Oct. 31 but stopped for fuel after three days at sea; owner, having invested $90,000, despondent, fired pistol into magazine during dinner, causing explosion; 5 passengers on board killed, several wounded; owner likely insane; Mr. Sweet on shore lost baggage and papers; killed were respectable locals.