Savannah, GA Steamboat ANDREW JACKSON Explosion, Dec 1830

Savannah, Sunday, Dec. 5.
ANOTHER EXPLOSION.

On Saturday afternoon about three o'clock, a tremendous explosion took place on board the Steamboar 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.
Serious as 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 badly wounded, that, although he received the best midical 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 would have been more fatal.
Numberous small boats immediately proceeded to the scene of the disaster, and the steam boats GEORGE WASHINGTON, Capt. CURRY, and the CHARLESTON, BONNELL, were also despathed 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 A. J. had on board an assorted cargo, of which but a few crates of crockery, which floated to the marsh were saved. At high water she is except a small part of the upper deck and at ebb she is eight feet under water though necessarialy in a damaged state. The injury received by the boat is probably so great, however, as to tender her useless if it is effected. She was insured probably most of the cargo was also insured in that city.
The A. J. was an old boat but had been completely refitted and her boilers were new. The immediate cause of the melancholy event, since the death of engineer will probably never be known.

The Hagerstown Mail and Washington County Republican Advertiser Maryland 1830-12-17
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!