Source: Bell's Weekly Messenger, No.1804, Sunday October 24, 1830.
A Correspondent in New York has sent us the following distressing intelligence:— "The steam-boat United States, which left this city at four o'clock this afternoon, for New Haven, burst its boiler on its passage, opposite the Penitentiary on Blackwell's Island, a few miles from Corlaer's Hook. In the alarm and terror of the moment, six or seven of the passengers and crew instantly jumped overboard, three of whom were picked up afterwards, and two, Mr. Hiram Clark, a merchant in New Haven, and Alfred Mason, a coloured man, were drowned. Another passenger, Mr. Wooster, sprung into the water, and was taken up badly scalded and otherwise injured, and conveyed to the island, where he was bled, and every attention paid to him, that his distressed condition required. Three of the hands were seriously scalded, all of whom were carried to the hospital on their arrival; one of them, Charles Bolles, has since died, but the others, it is said, are likely to recover. Mr. Henry Shelly, of Guilford County, is badly injured, but it is supposed not dangerously. There were about 25 passengers on board. Captain Beecher states that the boiler contained but twelve inches and a half of steam at the time of the explosion. He was standing in the bow of the boat, and was slightly scalded. The steam-boat is not much damaged, and the cause of the melancholy accident is unknown.—P.S. We have since learned that twelve hats were picked up, four of which are recognised. Mr. Wooster is dead, Messrs H.W. Edwards, Wooster, Hotchkiss, Jarman, Osborn, Eli Beecher, Captain J. Fisher, and a Mr. Clark, all of New Haven, who were among the passengers, are safe. The hands are also accounted for.