| From the Savannah Morning News |
| |
| August 8, 1863 |
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| Explosion of an Engine Boiler -- Loss of
Life |
| A short time after the Macon
morning passenger train left the Central {of
Georgia} Railroad depot this morning an empty wood train followed
up the road, drawn by the engine "Gen. Beauregard." She had not
proceeded more than about a mile from the city when a tremendous
explosion was heard, and it was discovered that the boiler of the engine
had exploded. The explosion was terrific, being heard in various parts
of the city, inducing the belief that the report was caused by the
discharge of cannon. Two persons on the train were killed and several
others wounded. The engineer, Mr. Michael Leonard, was instantly killed.
His body was cut in two. One portion of it was found on the tender, and
the other where the explosion occurred. He was a single man. |
| Mr. Michael Lacy, a fireman,
was so severely wounded that he lived but a half hour. He leaves a wife
and three children. He was well known on the Bay, having been engaged in
the draying business for a number of years. |
| Mr. James M. Palin, the
conductor of the train, received some severe bruises, but escaped
without material injury. |
| Several negroes were on the
train, all of whom escaped with slight injuries. Bill, a
wood-passer, the property of Mr. P. Whelan, is but slightly hurt. Tom,
the property of Geo. W. Adams, Esq., is not much injured. |
| At the time of the explosion
the engine was backing up the track, and so violent was the effect that
the tender was broken loose and forced up the track about one mile, in
the vicinity of the race track, carrying on it a portion of the body of
the engineer. |
| It is proper to remark that
upon examination this morning, no defect in the boiler was discovered.
The Gen. Beauregard has been in service several years, and,
though regarded as perfectly secure, has only been employed as a yard
engine and for light work. The cause of the explosion can only be
attributed to one of those errors of engineers which sometimes occur --
want of care and attention. In this case it is evident that the engineer
neglected to supply his engine with the proper quantity of water. |
| This is the first instance for
many years that a similar accident has occurred on the Central Road.
About the year 1854, an engine exploded from a similar cause. Nothing of
the kind has taken place since then, until this morning. |
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