Emergencies and World Disasters
Boiler Sky: A 19th-Century Steam Boiler Thrown Across River
22 min•29 september 2026
Om avsnittet
Boiler Sky: A 19th-Century Steam Boiler Thrown Across River
A massive piece of a steam boiler, complete with smokestack, flew across the Willamette River and landed after covering nearly the river’s width on the morning of April 8, 1854-killing roughly twenty people instantly and four more days later. What made the safety valve be tied down, and why did the chief engineer depart the boat before the explosion that became the worst boiler disaster in the Pacific Northwest?
In this episode, we recount the April 8, 1854 disaster aboard the SS Gazelle, describe who was on board and the technical details of the vessel, and trace the conflicting findings of two official investigations-can the record still be reconciled?
Date: April 8, 1854
Location: Willamette River, Canemah/Oregon Territory
Event: Boiler explosion aboard SS Gazelle
Person: Chief engineer Toner
Ship: SS Gazelle
- The Gazelle measured 145 feet long and 23 feet wide.
- The vessel ran two high-pressure sidewheel engines with 14.5-inch diameter cylinders and a 48-inch stroke.
- The Gazelle had been in regular commercial service for less than one month after a trial run on March 18, 1854.
- Approximately 20 people died immediately and 4 more died in the following days.
- Chief engineer Toner arrived at about 6:30 a.m., tied the safety valve closed, and left the boat before the explosion.
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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].
A massive piece of a steam boiler, complete with smokestack, flew across the Willamette River and landed after covering nearly the river’s width on the morning of April 8, 1854-killing roughly twenty people instantly and four more days later. What made the safety valve be tied down, and why did the chief engineer depart the boat before the explosion that became the worst boiler disaster in the Pacific Northwest?
In this episode, we recount the April 8, 1854 disaster aboard the SS Gazelle, describe who was on board and the technical details of the vessel, and trace the conflicting findings of two official investigations-can the record still be reconciled?
Date: April 8, 1854
Location: Willamette River, Canemah/Oregon Territory
Event: Boiler explosion aboard SS Gazelle
Person: Chief engineer Toner
Ship: SS Gazelle
- The Gazelle measured 145 feet long and 23 feet wide.
- The vessel ran two high-pressure sidewheel engines with 14.5-inch diameter cylinders and a 48-inch stroke.
- The Gazelle had been in regular commercial service for less than one month after a trial run on March 18, 1854.
- Approximately 20 people died immediately and 4 more died in the following days.
- Chief engineer Toner arrived at about 6:30 a.m., tied the safety valve closed, and left the boat before the explosion.
To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.
© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].
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