Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Milwaukee Sentinel Monday, 24 November, 1873 The first tug-boiler explosion on Milwaukee River occurred about 9 o'clock on Saturday morning. The ill-fated boat was the E. L. Anthony of the Milwaukee Tug Company. This tug had moved down the river to a point below the Railroad bridge for the purpose of towing the schooner Walhalla to Houghton's upper slip, and was getting in a line when the accident oc- curred. The Captain had stepped out of the pilothouse to learn whether the line had been fastened, and had one foot on the threshold of his post and the other on the taffrail, when the deck and pilothouse suddenly flared up and pitched him into the river. The engineer, MR. PETER SNYDER, was badly scalded, and while beside himself with pain would have jumped into the river had not the lineman caught him. The poor fellow was taken to his residence, 505 Broadway, where he lies in a criti- cal condition. The tug Anthony is the smallest of the fleet, and was deemed perfectly safe. It appears that the bottom-plate of the boiler had suffered corrosion. The boiler, an upright one, had been tested but a fortnight ago and was pronounced in good condi- tion to sustain a pressure of seventy-five pounds. We under- stand that the pressure had reached the maximum when the boiler suddenly flew up and destroyed the upper-works of the river, Captain Theodore Beck had a narrow escape from drowning. It is estimated that the damage to boiler and boat will not exceed $1000. We are sorry to add that Engineer SNYDER did not survive his inuries. He died at 10 o'clock in the evening, after suffering intensely from the time of the accident. The de- ceased was a faithful, careful engineer, and as such was highly esteemed by the Company. During the summer he was engaged on the Ida Lee. Subsequently he served on the tug Tifft, and remained on her until the boat was laid up for the season. On Friday he was assigned to the Anthony to serve to the close of navigation. SNYDER was a married man, and leaves a wife and two chil- dren to mourn his sudden and terrible death. ===============================================================================