List of Fatalities in the boiler explosion

aboard the "USS Chenango,"

April 15, 1864.

Compiled by Terry Foenander.

This list of personnel of the USS Chenango who were killed instantly, as well as those who later succumbed to their wounds received in the boiler explosion aboard the vessel, on April 15, 1864, is compiled from three separate sources. The deck log entry for that date includes the names of the two who died within a few hours of the explosion, as well as thirty-one others who were severely scalded. Most of these wounded did not survive their injuries, and died within days. The second source of fatalities of the explosion are the lists of deaths reported to the Navy Department for the two weeks, ending April 23, 1864, and April 30, 1864, as published in the Washington, D.C. newspaper, the Daily National Intelligencer, of Monday, April 25, 1864, and Monday, May 2, 1864, respectively. The final list of names is included in Navy Department General Order No. 38, of June 27, 1864, which Order included the results of the investigation, and the juror's decision to place the blame upon the shoulders of engineer and inspecting officer, S. Wilkins Cragg, who was immediately dismissed the service, as a result of their decision. With the exception of a very few names, all three lists complement each other.

The following list includes only the names of those who were killed and who died of their wounds, at a later stage. There may have been other deaths, as a result of the explosion, in the weeks and years following, but this compilation is only restricted to those that were known. Alternate spellings of a name are included.

William Bone (or Botis), fireman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Bernard Boyle, fireman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Joseph N. Cahill, first assistant engineer; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Barney Cannegan (or Cannagan), coal heaver; died April 21, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Theo. Echalaz, USMC; died April 15, 1864. [listed only in DNI.]

Archibald Fleming, coal heaver; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

William Hickey (or Heckey), ordinary seaman; died April 24, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Henry (or Harry) Livingston, coal heaver; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Joseph Lyons (or Lynes), seaman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

John Maher (or Mahar), coal heaver; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Joseph M. (or A.) Macomby, fireman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI - this source also shows his name as Jas. L. Macomber.]

John Murphy, fireman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Albert Murray, second assistant engineer; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Martin Mitchell, landsman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Eugene O'Leary, ordinary seaman; died April 18, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Samuel Randall, seaman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

John Riley, seaman; died April 16, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Mitchell Rodie (or Rody), fireman; died April 15, 1864. [[log; GO; DNI.]

Frank P. Root, second assistant engineer; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

John Ruddy, landsman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Wheeler Sherman, ordinary seaman; died April 15, 1864. [[log; GO; DNI.]

Franklin Silva (or Silver), seaman. [log; GO; DNI - this last source indicates that he died at the New York Naval Hospital on April 25, 1864.]

James Smith, gunner's mate; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI - this last source shows his first name as John.]

John M. Smith, first class boy; died April 15, 1864. [[log; GO; DNI.]

John Walsh, ordinary seaman. [log; DNI - his name, in this last source is shown as Nicholas J. Walsh, yeoman, died April 15, 1864.]

William M. Weir, seaman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

John White, third assistant engineer; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Charles Wiles (or Wills), seaman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI - this last source shows his surname as Weild.]

George Wilson, seaman; died April 15, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Alfred Yates, landsman; died April 19, 1864. [log; GO; DNI.]

Sources:

DNI - Daily National Intelligencer; issues of April 25 and May 2, 1864; columns titled Deaths Reported to the Navy Department.

GO - General Order No. 38, dated June 27, 1864; published by the Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

log - Entry for April 15, 1864, from the deck log of the USS Chenango, available at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

© Terry Foenander.

March, 2005.