Today in Wheeling History: August 9--The towboat "Iron Valley," based out of Wheeling, exploded near New Cumberland, West Virginia, killing three people and sinking the boat (1879).
In 1873, the towboat “Iron Valley” exploded near New Cumberland, West Virginia, killing three people - the pilot Wallace Wise, clerk Thomas Prince Jr., and a passenger named Pressor. The explosion was sudden and devastating, sinking the boat. The captain and some crew survived. The cause seems to have been low water in the boilers, though other theories were considered like an over-patched boiler. Overall it was a tragic accident that killed three men and destroyed the boat. (https://tinyurl.com/3ed3w3mf)
In 1873, the towboat “Iron Valley” exploded near New Cumberland, West Virginia, killing three people - the pilot Wallace Wise, clerk Thomas Prince Jr., and a passenger named Pressor. The explosion was sudden and devastating, sinking the boat. The captain and some crew survived. The cause seems to have been low water in the boilers, though other theories were considered like an over-patched boiler. Overall it was a tragic accident that killed three men and destroyed the boat. (https://tinyurl.com/3ed3w3mf)
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