Crawford Dobbins
Terrible Accident at Canemah-Over Twenty Killed and Twenty five Wounded-Explosion of the steamer Gazelle.
From the Portland Oregonian of April 15.
We have conversed with several persons acquainted with the circumstances attending the late explosion of the steamer Gazelle which took place at Canemah on Saturday morning last. It seems to be the settled opinion of everybody that this melancholy accident, which caused the most intense anguish in the hearts of hundreds of our citizens, and spread a gloom over the entire community, was attributable to the reckless carelessness or total incompetency of the engineer. We understand a committee have made an investigation, but what their conclusion was we do not know, save that they were of opinion that there was a lack of water in the boiler.
It appears that the chief engineer had run the Gazelle across the river, and stopped alongside of the steamer Wallamet, for a few moments, to take on some freight. She was then run a few rods further up-to the wharfboat-where she was stopped. Tonie, the chief engineer, left the steamer and went on board the wharf-boat, when the explosion immediately took place and twenty four human beings were in a moment hurried into eternity, besides maining some twenty others, and destroying a large amount of property.
There was evidently a reckless carelessness on the part of the engineer, which is unpardonable, and which ought to be severely punished. The engineer, Tonie, was permitted to escape, and has gone to parts unknown. This, to say the least of it, is censurable, as he should have been made an example by the strong arm of the law. Human life should be held at a higher price, by those in whose hands it is placed on steamboats, than it is now. We trust he may yet be arrested and properly punished.
The following was published in only a part of our edition last week which will explain why it appears again:
List of killed-David Page, of San Francisco, the company's superintendent; David Woodhull, of Michigan; Rev. J.P. Miller of Albany, O.T; John Bluimer, (deck hand); Joseph Hunt, of Michigan, (surveyor); Michael Hatch, (deck hand); John Daily (cabin steward); John Clemmens, (pilot); David Fuller of Portland; C. Wordsworth, Milwaukie, O.T; Judge Birch, of Luckimute, (passenger); James White of Salem; John K. Miller, (deck hand); J.M Fudge, pilot of Wallamet; Mr. Morgan, of Lacreole, O.T.; Mr. Hill of Albany, O.T.; Daniel Lowe, (passenger); Spaniard boy, (name unknown)
Since Died-Mr. Blanchet, (passenger); Michael McGee, (deck hand); Mr. Plant, (second engineer.)
Missing-Chas. Knaust, (formerly of the steamer Whitcomb); David McLane, and others whose names were not ascertained at 4 o'clock P.M.
Wounded, Scalded, &c-Capt. Hereford, (of Gazelle,) Scalded; B.F. Newby, (passenger.) badly scalded: Mrs. Miller, (lady of Rev. Mr. Miller) had two ribs broken; John Boyd, (mate) both arms amputated; Miss Pell, slightly scalded, and a gash in the forehead; J. Herald, scalded; James Partlow, (pilot,) slightly hurt; H. Royce, scalded; David Davis, slightly hurt; Robert Peatland, scalded; Chas. Gardiner, slightly scalded and an arm broken; Crawford Dobbins, of Portland, one leg gone-amputated; Preston S. Black, (cabin steward) slightly scalded; Robert Shortness, slightly wounded; James Stanfield (steward,) slightly wounded; S. Sherbus, scalded; Joe, (an Indian boy) badly scalded. Several others were scalded and wounded whose names we have not learned. Mr. Tonie, Engineer: Z. Crowell, clerk, and Mrs. Paint and child, together with the little daughter of Rev. Mr. Miller, escaped uninjured.
The New York Times 29 May 1854
Terrible Accident at Canemah-Over Twenty Killed and Twenty five Wounded-Explosion of the steamer Gazelle.
From the Portland Oregonian of April 15.
We have conversed with several persons acquainted with the circumstances attending the late explosion of the steamer Gazelle which took place at Canemah on Saturday morning last. It seems to be the settled opinion of everybody that this melancholy accident, which caused the most intense anguish in the hearts of hundreds of our citizens, and spread a gloom over the entire community, was attributable to the reckless carelessness or total incompetency of the engineer. We understand a committee have made an investigation, but what their conclusion was we do not know, save that they were of opinion that there was a lack of water in the boiler.
It appears that the chief engineer had run the Gazelle across the river, and stopped alongside of the steamer Wallamet, for a few moments, to take on some freight. She was then run a few rods further up-to the wharfboat-where she was stopped. Tonie, the chief engineer, left the steamer and went on board the wharf-boat, when the explosion immediately took place and twenty four human beings were in a moment hurried into eternity, besides maining some twenty others, and destroying a large amount of property.
There was evidently a reckless carelessness on the part of the engineer, which is unpardonable, and which ought to be severely punished. The engineer, Tonie, was permitted to escape, and has gone to parts unknown. This, to say the least of it, is censurable, as he should have been made an example by the strong arm of the law. Human life should be held at a higher price, by those in whose hands it is placed on steamboats, than it is now. We trust he may yet be arrested and properly punished.
The following was published in only a part of our edition last week which will explain why it appears again:
List of killed-David Page, of San Francisco, the company's superintendent; David Woodhull, of Michigan; Rev. J.P. Miller of Albany, O.T; John Bluimer, (deck hand); Joseph Hunt, of Michigan, (surveyor); Michael Hatch, (deck hand); John Daily (cabin steward); John Clemmens, (pilot); David Fuller of Portland; C. Wordsworth, Milwaukie, O.T; Judge Birch, of Luckimute, (passenger); James White of Salem; John K. Miller, (deck hand); J.M Fudge, pilot of Wallamet; Mr. Morgan, of Lacreole, O.T.; Mr. Hill of Albany, O.T.; Daniel Lowe, (passenger); Spaniard boy, (name unknown)
Since Died-Mr. Blanchet, (passenger); Michael McGee, (deck hand); Mr. Plant, (second engineer.)
Missing-Chas. Knaust, (formerly of the steamer Whitcomb); David McLane, and others whose names were not ascertained at 4 o'clock P.M.
Wounded, Scalded, &c-Capt. Hereford, (of Gazelle,) Scalded; B.F. Newby, (passenger.) badly scalded: Mrs. Miller, (lady of Rev. Mr. Miller) had two ribs broken; John Boyd, (mate) both arms amputated; Miss Pell, slightly scalded, and a gash in the forehead; J. Herald, scalded; James Partlow, (pilot,) slightly hurt; H. Royce, scalded; David Davis, slightly hurt; Robert Peatland, scalded; Chas. Gardiner, slightly scalded and an arm broken; Crawford Dobbins, of Portland, one leg gone-amputated; Preston S. Black, (cabin steward) slightly scalded; Robert Shortness, slightly wounded; James Stanfield (steward,) slightly wounded; S. Sherbus, scalded; Joe, (an Indian boy) badly scalded. Several others were scalded and wounded whose names we have not learned. Mr. Tonie, Engineer: Z. Crowell, clerk, and Mrs. Paint and child, together with the little daughter of Rev. Mr. Miller, escaped uninjured.
The New York Times 29 May 1854
Crawford Dobbins
Terrible Accident at Canemah-Over Twenty Killed and Twenty five Wounded-Explosion of the steamer Gazelle.
From the Portland Oregonian of April 15.
We have conversed with several persons acquainted with the circumstances attending the late explosion of the steamer Gazelle which took place at Canemah on Saturday morning last. It seems to be the settled opinion of everybody that this melancholy accident, which caused the most intense anguish in the hearts of hundreds of our citizens, and spread a gloom over the entire community, was attributable to the reckless carelessness or total incompetency of the engineer. We understand a committee have made an investigation, but what their conclusion was we do not know, save that they were of opinion that there was a lack of water in the boiler.
It appears that the chief engineer had run the Gazelle across the river, and stopped alongside of the steamer Wallamet, for a few moments, to take on some freight. She was then run a few rods further up-to the wharfboat-where she was stopped. Tonie, the chief engineer, left the steamer and went on board the wharf-boat, when the explosion immediately took place and twenty four human beings were in a moment hurried into eternity, besides maining some twenty others, and destroying a large amount of property.
There was evidently a reckless carelessness on the part of the engineer, which is unpardonable, and which ought to be severely punished. The engineer, Tonie, was permitted to escape, and has gone to parts unknown. This, to say the least of it, is censurable, as he should have been made an example by the strong arm of the law. Human life should be held at a higher price, by those in whose hands it is placed on steamboats, than it is now. We trust he may yet be arrested and properly punished.
The following was published in only a part of our edition last week which will explain why it appears again:
List of killed-David Page, of San Francisco, the company's superintendent; David Woodhull, of Michigan; Rev. J.P. Miller of Albany, O.T; John Bluimer, (deck hand); Joseph Hunt, of Michigan, (surveyor); Michael Hatch, (deck hand); John Daily (cabin steward); John Clemmens, (pilot); David Fuller of Portland; C. Wordsworth, Milwaukie, O.T; Judge Birch, of Luckimute, (passenger); James White of Salem; John K. Miller, (deck hand); J.M Fudge, pilot of Wallamet; Mr. Morgan, of Lacreole, O.T.; Mr. Hill of Albany, O.T.; Daniel Lowe, (passenger); Spaniard boy, (name unknown)
Since Died-Mr. Blanchet, (passenger); Michael McGee, (deck hand); Mr. Plant, (second engineer.)
Missing-Chas. Knaust, (formerly of the steamer Whitcomb); David McLane, and others whose names were not ascertained at 4 o'clock P.M.
Wounded, Scalded, &c-Capt. Hereford, (of Gazelle,) Scalded; B.F. Newby, (passenger.) badly scalded: Mrs. Miller, (lady of Rev. Mr. Miller) had two ribs broken; John Boyd, (mate) both arms amputated; Miss Pell, slightly scalded, and a gash in the forehead; J. Herald, scalded; James Partlow, (pilot,) slightly hurt; H. Royce, scalded; David Davis, slightly hurt; Robert Peatland, scalded; Chas. Gardiner, slightly scalded and an arm broken; Crawford Dobbins, of Portland, one leg gone-amputated; Preston S. Black, (cabin steward) slightly scalded; Robert Shortness, slightly wounded; James Stanfield (steward,) slightly wounded; S. Sherbus, scalded; Joe, (an Indian boy) badly scalded. Several others were scalded and wounded whose names we have not learned. Mr. Tonie, Engineer: Z. Crowell, clerk, and Mrs. Paint and child, together with the little daughter of Rev. Mr. Miller, escaped uninjured.
The New York Times 29 May 1854
Terrible Accident at Canemah-Over Twenty Killed and Twenty five Wounded-Explosion of the steamer Gazelle.
From the Portland Oregonian of April 15.
We have conversed with several persons acquainted with the circumstances attending the late explosion of the steamer Gazelle which took place at Canemah on Saturday morning last. It seems to be the settled opinion of everybody that this melancholy accident, which caused the most intense anguish in the hearts of hundreds of our citizens, and spread a gloom over the entire community, was attributable to the reckless carelessness or total incompetency of the engineer. We understand a committee have made an investigation, but what their conclusion was we do not know, save that they were of opinion that there was a lack of water in the boiler.
It appears that the chief engineer had run the Gazelle across the river, and stopped alongside of the steamer Wallamet, for a few moments, to take on some freight. She was then run a few rods further up-to the wharfboat-where she was stopped. Tonie, the chief engineer, left the steamer and went on board the wharf-boat, when the explosion immediately took place and twenty four human beings were in a moment hurried into eternity, besides maining some twenty others, and destroying a large amount of property.
There was evidently a reckless carelessness on the part of the engineer, which is unpardonable, and which ought to be severely punished. The engineer, Tonie, was permitted to escape, and has gone to parts unknown. This, to say the least of it, is censurable, as he should have been made an example by the strong arm of the law. Human life should be held at a higher price, by those in whose hands it is placed on steamboats, than it is now. We trust he may yet be arrested and properly punished.
The following was published in only a part of our edition last week which will explain why it appears again:
List of killed-David Page, of San Francisco, the company's superintendent; David Woodhull, of Michigan; Rev. J.P. Miller of Albany, O.T; John Bluimer, (deck hand); Joseph Hunt, of Michigan, (surveyor); Michael Hatch, (deck hand); John Daily (cabin steward); John Clemmens, (pilot); David Fuller of Portland; C. Wordsworth, Milwaukie, O.T; Judge Birch, of Luckimute, (passenger); James White of Salem; John K. Miller, (deck hand); J.M Fudge, pilot of Wallamet; Mr. Morgan, of Lacreole, O.T.; Mr. Hill of Albany, O.T.; Daniel Lowe, (passenger); Spaniard boy, (name unknown)
Since Died-Mr. Blanchet, (passenger); Michael McGee, (deck hand); Mr. Plant, (second engineer.)
Missing-Chas. Knaust, (formerly of the steamer Whitcomb); David McLane, and others whose names were not ascertained at 4 o'clock P.M.
Wounded, Scalded, &c-Capt. Hereford, (of Gazelle,) Scalded; B.F. Newby, (passenger.) badly scalded: Mrs. Miller, (lady of Rev. Mr. Miller) had two ribs broken; John Boyd, (mate) both arms amputated; Miss Pell, slightly scalded, and a gash in the forehead; J. Herald, scalded; James Partlow, (pilot,) slightly hurt; H. Royce, scalded; David Davis, slightly hurt; Robert Peatland, scalded; Chas. Gardiner, slightly scalded and an arm broken; Crawford Dobbins, of Portland, one leg gone-amputated; Preston S. Black, (cabin steward) slightly scalded; Robert Shortness, slightly wounded; James Stanfield (steward,) slightly wounded; S. Sherbus, scalded; Joe, (an Indian boy) badly scalded. Several others were scalded and wounded whose names we have not learned. Mr. Tonie, Engineer: Z. Crowell, clerk, and Mrs. Paint and child, together with the little daughter of Rev. Mr. Miller, escaped uninjured.
The New York Times 29 May 1854
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