Unlocking the Treasures: Explosion of the Union Steam Packet

On a beautiful morning in June 1837, the steam packet Union was lying in the Humber Dock Basin. She was due to leave for Gainsborough just after six o'clock in the morning. On board, a great many passengers were assembled. However, it would not be long before the excitement and cheers turned in to screams and cries of horror. Described at the time as Hull's worse disaster, this is the story of explosion of the Union.

Hull's advantageous position at the mouth of the River Hull, on the Humber Estuary saw it thrive as a port. It connected Hull to the river systems of much of central and northern England. These river systems allowed raw materials to reach the industrial towns, while manufactured goods flowed along the river systems to Hull and beyond to the rest of the world. Steamship development in the early 19th century allowed for the increased frequency of the movement of goods and people.

View of the Humber Basin with the Humber Dock (now the Marina) behind, by Whittock & Leng, c.1854

An hour before the Union was to leave, the steam packet the Albatross, arrived at Hull. On board was Thomas Jackson. Thomas had returned aboard the Albatross with his family from Yarmouth. The family were due to board the steam packet, Don for Doncaster. The family had their luggage transferred to the Don which was berthed by the east pier with the Union. Thomas recalled how preparations were being made for the Union's sailing. As the bell rang, cheerful voices could be heard. He and his family boarded the Don. Soon after, an unusual noise could be heard coming from the Union. No sooner had the noise roused suspicions when the Union's boiler burst with a tremendous explosion. A huge plume of steam, smoke and dust rose in to the air. The explosion caused the sides of the steamer to be blown out. The Union’s chimney was sent spinning high into the air, before landing in front of Minerva Terrace. Goods aboard were propelled with such force that they ended in the ship yard of Mr. Webster, these included sacks of flour and barrels. One man's body was found was sixty yards away on the roof of Mr. Westerdale's property. Numerous properties suffered damage with debris blown far as Humber Street. The scene was one of carnage.

Luckily for Thomas, he and his family were unhurt. However, many of the dead littered the water. The body of Mr. Chatterton, a brewer from the Groves area of Hull was found on the forecastle of the Albatross. The majority of deaths were Hull residents, but also included individuals from Manchester, Newark and Whitton with one young girl said to have come from abroad.

Soon after the explosion the Union slipped below the Humber's surface. Those that had survived the explosion struggled in the water. A great many vessels sought to bring much needed assistance by picking up the survivors. Soon the police had arrived and boarded the Don. Thomas praised the conduct of the police in the face of such horrors. Alice Dinsdale, who was aboard the Don, was horribly mutilated, as too was Jane Woodhouse. Several passengers were severely scalded.

Rumours, and no doubt the explosion, brought a great many to the area. Onshore, those that witnessed the devastation were running around in every direction, screaming, praying and calling for loved ones and friends. In a short time thousands had gathered. Broken furniture, books, boxes, hats and bonnets were strewn in the Humber Basin. Many of the injured were conveyed to the inns and public houses. Those severely injured were taken to the local infirmary, while the dead were taken to the station-house to be identified. That day husbands, wives, sons and daughters had perished in the explosion.

Only once the tide had receded could a thorough search be done. It was reported that upwards of thirty to forty persons were present in the cabin at the time of the explosion. However, only two or three bodies were found with a number of persons still missing. It was hoped that some never boarded the Union, but for some, like Mr Hutchinson, a builder of George Yard, it was later discovered both of his sons had perished, one shortly after arriving at the infirmary, the other was lying at the station-house.

Many however escaped. One gentleman managed to escape through a window of the Union as water rushed in. Mr. and Miss Stewart of Story Street were thrown into the water and rescued largely uninjured. Overall there were around 100 passengers on board, with the majority fortunate to escape.

Account of the explosion of the Union Steam Packet, by Thomas Jackson, 1837 [Ref. L.920 JAC]

An inquest into the explosion was held. Naturally, the Union's engineer, Joseph Gamble, was held on suspicion of being responsible for the explosion. He and others, including the Union's master, engineers and experts familiar with steam engines, all gave evidence. Various explanations were put forward as to the cause of the explosion. The inquest ended with the jury finding the Union's engineer, Joseph Gamble guilty of manslaughter.

Today the explosion of the Union is largely forgotten. There is no plaque to commemorate those that lost their lives in the explosion. However, it remains one of Hull's most tragic incidents.

You can read the account of the explosion of the Union Steam Packet by Thomas Jackson at the Hull History Centre. The account can be found within the Local Studies reference collections at L.920 JAC.

Neil Chadwick, Project Officer, Unlocking the Treasures