Mobile, AL (near) Steamer TUSCALOOSA Explosion, Jan 1847

TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE -- LOSS OF LIFE.

The details of the following disastrous occurrence were published on the afternoon of the 29th of January, by the Mobile Register:

"The steamer Tuscaloosa left our wharf at 8 o'clock on Thursday evening, on her way to Tuscaloosa, and after proceeding 10 or 11 miles up the river, an explosion of two of her boilers took place, which instantly killed several of the passengers and many of the boat's crew and officers. From a passenger on board, we learn that the explosion completely tore up the boiler deck and shattered the after part of the boat (below deck) considerably."
"The boat after the explosion, swung to the shore, her stern remaining nearlyin the centre of the river.
A line was made fast ashore from the stern, and an effort made to bring her stem ashore, so as to land her passengers, but owing to the grounding these efforts were unavailable. The ladies were then all lowered from the cabin by a rope to the lower deck, and from thence sent ashore in the yawl -- all were saved unhurt."
"Those of the male passengers who were uninjured saved themselves and many of the wounded by constructing a temporary raft of floor planks, and such articles as were close at hand. On this they reached the shore in safety. On landing, it was found impossible to obtain a dry footing; as the banks of the river were overflowed. In this condition, those who were able climbed trees, on which they remained in view of the burning ruins, for about three hours, when fortunately the steamer James Hewitt hove in sight, and was shortly along side the wreck, where assistance was immediately given to all within reach. The Hewitt returned immediately to the city with all the survivors."
"The body of LIEUT. INGE was on board and was lost. Killed -- WM. TANNEYHILL, C. CHILES, and P. F. BEASLEY, of Eutaw; W. R. HASSEL, of Greensborough; B. PARTIER, 2d Clerk; THOMAS CLARK, 1st mate; and ARTHUR McCOY, 2d engineer; ABRAHAM FLYNN, volunteer from Green Co., and several negro deck hands.
Badly wounded -- CAPT. E. P. OLIVER, (not expected to survive), GEO. KIRK, 1st clerk, and acting captain of the Tuscaloosa, and COL. WM. ARMISTEAD, Capt. ASA WHITE, of Eutaw, very badly scalded.

Capt. COLEMAN of the Saladin gives the following additional particulars, which he obtained from one of the passengers, who was on board the James Hewitt at the time she went to the assistance of the Tuscaloosa:
"Immediately after the explosion of the boilers, the boat took fire, and burnt to the water's edge, some 20 kegs of powder, that were on board also exploded and added to the horrors of the scene.
The number killed and wounded have not been ascertained, but was supposed to be about forty. The day after the disaster, the steamer Wynoca brought to Mobile ten of the bodies that had been recovered, some of them so dreadfully burned as not to be recognized."
"Capt. ASA WHITE of Eutaw, was badly scalded in addition to those above named. The situation of the sufferers was dreadful in the extreme, until the arrival of the Hewitt, when they received every attention their wretched condition required.

The Sandusky Clarion Ohio 1847-02-23
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!