Manayunk, PA Locomotive Boiler Explosion, Dec 1854

DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE READING RAILROAD.

On Friday afternoon week, the locomotive Wisconsin life Richmond for Pottsville, with a train of empty coal cars. When the train was approaching the Manayunk tunnel the boiler of the locomotive exploded, blowing out the end over the firebox, and rendering the engine a complete wreck. GEORGE LONG, formerly an engineer on the road, but recently living in Baltimore, where he leaves a family, was on the engine at the time of the explosion. He sprang to the ground, but was so badly scalded that he died in a short time. JOHN LYNCH, the fireman, was much mangled, and so severely scalded that he survived but a few minutes. LYNCH lived in Dauphin county, where he leaves a family. CHARLES MILLER, the front brakeman of the train, had the top of his head carried away, and was badly scalded. He died instantly. A lad residing in Reading, who was on the train at the time, was badly scalded, and had a leg broken. He was sent to Phil'a on the passenger train, on Saturday morning. A man named JAMES HOPPLE had a leg broken by jumping from the engine to escape the scalding steam.

The Republican Compiler Pennsylvania 1854-12-25
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!