472 EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. 
Massachusetts returned the same night, bringing- a number of 
passengers, some of the wounded, and one dead body. Two 
or three bodies were also brought up the next day by the 
Chief Justice Marshall. 
In regard to the cause of this dreadful explosion, we believe 
it to be the prevailing opinion of all who have taken pains to 
ascertain the facts in the case, that it may be traced to negli- 
gence or presumption on the part of the engineer, in permit- 
ting the steam to accumulate beyond what the strength of the 
boilers could sustain. From the best information we can ob- 
tain, the steam was not blown off while the boat lay at Say- 
brook, and the same was true during her stoppage al Essex. 
It is said, however, that steam was blown off while the boat 
was under way between Saybrook and Essex. Mr. Potter, 
the engineer, who has been for many years in the employment 
of the proprietors, was not on board during this trip ; his place 
was supplied by Mr. Marshall, from the West Point Foundery, 
who had the reputation of skill in his profession. He declares 
there were only eight or ten inches of steam on at the time of 
the explosion : but beside the improbability on the face of this 
statement, there is said to be strong testimony of a very differ- 
ent character. We trust the proprietors of the boat will make 
a thorough investigation of the facts, and lay them before the 
public. It is due to the community that the cause of this dread- 
ful disaster should, if possible, be fully explained, and the re- 
sponsibility placed where it belongs. 
The steam-boat is much injured. The boilers were rent 
asunder and thrown into the river. The guards on which 
they rested were broken off. The promenade deck, from the 
captain's office to the ladies' cabin, a distance of about thirty 
feet, was lifted from its place and fell in part upon the main 
deck. The ladies' cabin was considerably racked and in- 
jured, and all her upper works in the vicinity of the boilers 
are in a shattered condition. The baggage-houses, situated in 
the rear of the boilers, were demolished, and the baggage 
thrown into the river. There was also considerable loss of 
freight. 
The New-England was a new^ boat, and commenced run- 
ning about two months since. Her engine and boilers were 
made at West Point, and, as was supposed, of the best mate- 
rials and in the best manner. No expense was spared to 
make the boat in every respect complete, and to finish it in 
the most beautiful style. The loss to the proprietors will be 
very serious. But this is a matter of small importance con- 
