t "The number of lives lost will in all probability never be distinctly known. Many were seen flung into the river, most of whom sank to rise no more. I am inclined to believe that between fifty and sixty must have perished. The cabin passengers escaped owing to the peculiar construction of the boat. Just behind the boilers were several huge iron posts, supporting, I think, the boiler-deck; across each post was a large circular plate of iron, of between one and two inches in thickness. One of these posts was placed exactly opposite the head of the boiler which burst. Against this plate the head struck, and penetrated to the depth of an inch; then broke and flew off at an angle, entering a cotton bale to the depth of a foot. The boiler head was in point-blank range with the breakfast table in the cabin, and had it not been obstructed by the iron post, it must have made a clear sweep of those who were seated at the table." Instances innumerable might be given of similar explosions, attended often with more or less loss of life, that have occurred on the lakes and rivers of America within the last half century. In countries where low-pressure, or condensing engines are used, accidents of this kind are much less frequent. OCEAN MAIL-STEAMERS. To such a pitch of perfection has steam navigation now arrived, that the mails are carried, with as steady regularity as if on land, across those stormy oceans over which not half a century ago ships ploughed their course with uncertain speed, and on which went forth, three hundred and seventy years ago, Columbus and his compeers, in utter ignorance of the world that lay beyond the seas. |