February 6, 1858
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmTerrible Steamboat Explosion
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The steamer Fanny Fern, bound to St. Louis from Pittsburg, exploded her boiler eighteen miles below Cincinnati on the 28th ult. Fifteen persons are reported to have lost their lives, and thirty were severely injured ; the boat was set on fire by the explosion, and burned to the water's edge. This is the most severe accident of this character, we believe, which has taken place on any western river since the new law for protecting life in steamers went into force. We are afraid that the western steamboat inspectors are becoming somewhat careless ; and we have good reasons for believing that is also the case with those in the eastern districts. We exhort these officers to look well to their regulations, or they may soon find their situations too hot for them.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
