1848 — Sep 17, steamer Concordia flue/boiler explosion, Miss. Riv., Plaquemine, LA–28-29

lornajarrettblanchard September 17, 1848

— ~29 Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 265.)
— 1 Capt. Peace “soon after the accident.”
— 1 M. M. McDowell, clerk.
— 1 Michael McQuaide, deck hand.
— 1 Henry Jordon, fireman.
— 2 cabin boys, not names.
— 1 fireman, name not mentioned.
— 2 Robert and Edward Davis
–~20 deck passengers, names unknow.
— 28 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 163.
— 28 Fisher/McCord. “Steamboat Explosions…Fifty-Five Years.” In Scharf 1883, 1108.
— 28 Gould. Fifty Years on the Mississippi…, “Losses by Explosions in Fifty Years.” 1889, 437.
— 28 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 681.
— 28 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994…Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, p. 108.
— >15 Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser. “News of the Day.” 9-25-1848, p.2.
–10-15 Lancaster Intelligencer, PA. “Steamboat Explosion.” 9-26-1848, p. 3. (Others missing.)
— 8 Jones, in Franklin Institute of PA. Journal of the Franklin Institute, Nov 1848, p. 335.

Narrative Information

Berman: “Concordia…Sep 16, 1848 [date of loss], Exploded; Plaquemine, La., 28 lives lost.” (Berman 1972, p. 163.)

Franklin Institute: “Report of the Committee [of Engineers investigating the Concordia Explosion].

“Whereas, the steamboat Concordia, Capt. Horace Pease, left New Orleans on Saturday evening, the 16th instant, on her customary trip for Milliken’s Bend, and having proceeded without accident, till about half a mile above Plaquemine, about half-past four o’clock, A. M., on the morning of the 17th, the aforesaid boat did explode her two larboard boilers, whereby several of the officers and crew were killed, and others scalded; and whereas, at the instigation of Captains Pease and Thomasson, the undersigned have visited the said steamboat Concordia, for the purpose of investigating the causes of the explosion, and report as follows:—

“That, from the appearance of the boilers, there was, at the time of the explosion, a deficiency of water,—though, from evidence adduced, it appears that the second engineer left watch some half hour previous to the accident, and left with an adequate supply of water in the boilers.

“That it may be possible that the flues in the larboard boiler were bare of water, in consequence of the boat having been listed to starboard considerably, when leaving Plaquemine, and, when righting up the water came in contact with the flues, intensely heated by thus being left bare.

“And further, that this meeting has seen ample certificates as to the character of the first engineer, who had the misfortune to be on watch at the time of the explosion, and that said certificates are fully sufficient to exempt Captain Pease and owners from all blame in employing him. Edward Grinnell, Chairman.” (Franklin Institute of PA. Journal of…, Nov 1848, pp. 338)

Jones: “New Orleans, Sept. 23, 1848.

Gentlemen: — I send you sketches of the appearance of the boilers of the steam packet Concordia, taken the next day after their explosion, and before any change had taken place in their position among the ruins. The explosion of the boilers, (they were 30 feet long, 40 inches diameter, with two 15-inch flues,) took place about 5 o’clock, A. M., on the 17th of September, 33 miles above this city, at, or near, the town of Plaquemine. There are contradictory statements on this head, some accounts being that she was at the landing, and others, that she was half a mile off, racing. This I have not taken any pains to correct, preferring to come to my own conclusions, by a critical examination of the boilers, which tell the truth for themselves. The cause was a deficiency of water.

“The force of the explosion was upwards, carrying away part of the boiler deck, and also the hurricane deck, or roof, just forward of the pilot’s house 00 the breach measuring about 28 feet fore and aft, and being clear across the boat….

“Six persons were killed outright and six or eight, including the captain and engineer, were badly scalded; two of these have since died….” (Jones, A.C., in Franklin Institute of PA. Journal of the Franklin Institute, Nov 1848, p. 335.)

Lloyd: “On the 16th of September, 1848, the steamer Concordia burst all her boilers, when about to land passengers at Plaquemine, La. All the upper works were demolished, and some fragments of them were blown to the distance of three hundred yards. The cabin passengers all escaped uninjured. Twenty-eight of the crew and deck passengers were killed, and eight or ten persons were wounded.

“Killed. – B. M. McDowell, clerk; Michael McQuaide, deck hand; Henry Jordon, a colored fireman; two cabin boys; a fireman, name not mentioned; Robert and Edward Davis, colored men; and about twenty deck passengers, names unknown.

“Wounded. – Capt. H. Pease (mortally); John F. Mosely, second clerk; John Tabbot, colored fireman; John Henderson, first engineer; F. W. Colles, book-keeper; Samuel Bunnall, colored fireman. Capt. Pease died soon after the accident.” (Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 265.)

U.S. Congress: “Sept. 16, 1848…Concordia….28 [lives lost]…Explosion…Plaquemine, La. …American [nationality].”
(U.S. Congress, House. Hearings…“Safety of Life and Property at Sea.” 1935, p. 246.)

Way: Concordia – wooden sidewheel packet; built in 1843 in Cincinnati, OH. “Ran New Orleans-Vicksburg…. She exploded all boilers at Plaquemine, La., Sept 16, 1846, Capt. Horace Pease in command. Twenty-eight were killed, many wounded.” (Way 1994, 108)

Newspapers

Sep 17: “On Friday morning we received a telegraphic account of the explosion of the steamer Concordia. Since then we have conversed with the clerk of the Uncle Sam, and obtained further particulars.

“About daylight on the morning of the 17th instant, as the Vicksburg and New Orleans packet Concordia was backing out from Plaquemine, after having put off a passenger, two of her boilers exploded, tearing to pieces her social hall and several of the forward state rooms, and otherwise injuring the boat. Capt. Pease was just stepping down from the hurricane roof when the explosion took place, and he fell through into one of the exploded boilers. He was scalded severely, but having inhaled none of the steam, it is thought he will recover. Messieurs…[unclear] and McDowell, the assistant clerks, were very badly scalded, and their recovery is doubtful. Only one passenger, Gen. Hunt, was scalded, and he only slightly, on his hands and feet. The first engineer was scalded. The clerk escaped unhurt. Our informant learned from the mate of the unfortunate boat, that one-half of his crew were scalded and missing, consisting of eight or ten white deck hands and several negro firemen. As near as could be ascertained, thirty persons were scalded and missing.

“The boat drifted down about a mile and a half, when the Uncle Sam came alongside, towed her up to Plaquemine, and remained there some time, her officers rendering to the sufferers all the assistance in their power. – St. Louis Union.” (Alton Telegraph, IL. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion.” Sep 29, 1848, p. 3.)

“St. Louis Union…. About daylight on the morning of the 17th instant, as the Vicksburg and New Orleans packet Concordia was backing out from Plaquemine, after having put off a passenger, two of her boilers exploded, tearing to pieces her social hall and several of the forward state rooms, and otherwise injuring the boat. Capt. Pease was just stepping down from the hurricane roof when the explosion took place, and he fell through into one of the exploded boilers. He was scalded severely, but having inhaled none of the steam, it is thought he will recover. Messieurs Moseby and McDowell, the assistant clerks, were very badly scalded, and their recovery is doubtful. Only one passenger, Gen. Hunt, was scalded, and he only slightly, on his hands and feet. The first engineer was scalded. The clerk escaped unhurt. Our informant learned from the mate of the unfortunate boat, that one-half of his crew were scalded and missing, consisting of eight or ten…deck hands and several…firemen. As near as could be ascertained, thirty persons were scalded and missing. The boat drifted down about a mile and a half, when the Uncle Sam came alongside, towed her up to Plaquemine, and remained there some time, her officers rendering to the sufferers all the assistance in their power.” (Alton Telegraph & Democratic Review (IL). “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion,” Sep 29, 1848, 3.)

Sep 18: “The steamer Concordia, of Memphis, while running down the river, burst her boiler, at Plaquemine on Monday last [Sep 18]. Fifteen persons, hands and deck passengers, were killed, and many are missing, whose fate is still unaccounted for. The cabin passengers all happily escaped without injury.” (Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser. “News of the Day.” 9-25-1848, p.2.)

Sep 18: “A terrible disaster occurred at our quiet village early yesterday morning [Sep 17]. The splendid steamer Concordia, Capt. Pease, on her up trip, reached here about 5 A.M. and after putting out a passenger, she shoved off from the levee, and had made but a few revolutions of her wheels, when she exploded with a terrible report, making a complete wreck of every thing forward of the main cabin, and twisting ant tearing to pieces her flues and boilers (which were scattered fore and aft) in an astonishingly destructive manner. There were but few passengers on board, among whom, the son and daughter of Gen. Taylor, and we are happy to say that none were in the least injured, if we except a gentleman by the name of Kline, who was thrown overboard, but was rescued by a boat from shore. The boat was taken in tow by the Princess, for New Orleans, yesterday afternoon.

“The Captain was severely burnt and otherwise injured, and at the time of his leaving, was not expected to survive; 1st clerk, uninjured; 2d do. [ditto], J. Mosby, badly scalded, barkeeper, one arm badly burnt; steward slightly do. [ditto]; eight deck hands, negroes, badly scalded; two do. Missing, and two do. Dead at the time the boat was taken in tow.

“All credit is due to our physicians, our druggists, and citizens generally, for the prompt and efficient manner in which they rendered aid to the suffers; among the most active, we noticed Judge Nicholls, whose term of court here had just expired.” (Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine, LA. “Explosion of the Concordia.” 9-18-1848, p. 2.)

Sep 19: “We regret to be compelled to record a most terrible steamboat accident, which occurred on the 17th inst., by which several persons lost their lives and many others were injured. The steamer Concordia, while on her passage from this city to Vicksburg, stopped at Plaquemine on Sunday morning at about 5 o’clock. After leaving that place, she had scarcely proceeded half a mile, when three of her larboard boilers burst, carrying away or shattering most of her upper works forward of the gangway. The boat was in this condition towed down to the city by the Princess No. 3. From the best information to be obtained, we believe the following to be a correct list of the killed, wounded and missing:

“Killed – B. W. McDowell, Ass’t Clerk; M. McQuade, deck-hand; _____Jordan, fireman; Robert and Edward Davis, cabin boys. One fireman (colored) missing.

“Badly scalded – Capt. Horace Pease; Jno. F. Mosby, Ass’t Clerk; Talbot (colored), fireman, and thigh broke.

“Slightly scalded – John Lentz, first engineer; J. V. Celles, bar-keeper; Burrell (colored), fireman.

“There were no passengers hurt.

“The Concordia was one of our best and most popular boats. Capt. Pease, her commander, we have long known as a most careful and prudent man. At the time the accident occurred, he had just let the hurricane deck and gone into his room, situated directly over the boilers which exploded.

“We understand that Capt. Pease is anxious for a full and impartial investigation, in order that if there by any one n fault, the blame may fall where it properly belongs.” (Daily Crescent, New Orleans, LA. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion and Loss of Life.” 9-19-1848, p. 2.

Sep 19: “The N. Orleans Delta of the 19th, has the particulars of the explosion of the steamer Concordia, at Plaquemine, on the 17th inst. Among the passengers were the son and daughter of General Taylor, who escaped unhurt.

“Plaquemine, Sunday Morning, Sept. 17, 1848. Eds. Delta – I hasten to inform you of the particulars of a dreadful catastrophe which has just happened at out landing. The fine packet Concordia burst to of her boilers at 5 o’clock this morning, tearing her boiler deck, part of her cabin and the front part of her hurricane roof literally to atoms.

“I have ascertained from Mr. Spencer Tibbits, her head pilot, the particulars of the melancholy affair. The number killed and wounded are as follows: Cap. Pease, scalded badly; he had, at the moment of the explosion, entered his state room and was precipitated to the main deck by the floor of his room falling through, and fell among the boilers, by which both his legs were slightly injured, and his hands and face and body badly burned. –

“The second clerk, Mosby, is badly scalded; first engineer, severely scalded; bar keeper, one hand scalded badly; one passenger whose name I could not learn, is slightly scalded; a young man, named Klein, was thrown overboard, and rescued from shore, after being in the water nearly half an hour; seven negroes, five deck hands and two cabin-boys are scalded badly; two deck hands just dead; two supposed to be drowned. These are all knowd [sic.] to be wounded. The boat is now lying at our landing, waiting for the Magnolia, to tow her to New Orleans. Every assistance our physicians and citizens could render was promptly offered, and every one as properly cared for as circumstances would permit. The condition of the wounded is believed to be dangerous – the captain will recover, though he is badly scalded; he is now easy and converses freely.” (Pittsburgh Daily Gazette, PA. “The Explosion on Board the Concordia.” 10-2-1848, p. 2.)

Sep 22: “Cincinnati, Sept. 22. A small steamer plying to Memphis, named Concordia, exploded her boiler on Monday [Sep 18], when near Plaquemine, by which casualty ten or fifteen persons were killed, and several are missing. No cabin passengers fortunately were injured.” (Lancaster Intelligencer, PA. “Steamboat Explosion.” 9-26-1848, p. 3.)

Sep 25: “It will be a satisfaction to the public to learn that the causes of the explosion on the Concordia, by which valuable lives, are in the way of being publicly investigated. An officer of the Second Municipality police yesterday made affidavit ‘that from the character of the boat and the circumstances of the explosion, there is good reason to believe that said explosion was caused by gross and criminal negligence on the part of the Chief Engineer, Mr. Lentz.’ The affidavit, the officer alleges, is based on information he has received, and a warrant was issued for the arrest of the Engineer; but on the certificate of his physician, Dr. Saunders, that it was dangerous to remove him in his present situation, the warrant was not executed.” (Daily Crescent, New Orleans, LA. “The Concordia Explosion.” 9-25-1848, p. 2.)

Oct 14: “John Lentz, chief engineer of the steamer Concordia, at the time of the explosion of her boilers, was yesterday arraigned on the charge contained in the affidavit of Chas. Petre, an officer of the Second Municipality police, which affidavit was made on the 21st ult., and is to the following effect:

Than on the 16th or 17th ult., the steamboat Concordia, Captain Pease, master, and John Lentz, chief engineer, on her passage up the river Mississippi, when just above Plaquemine, burst her boilers, killing one man and dangerously wounding a number more, some of whom have since died, as deponent is informed; and verily believes the same to be true. And deponent further says, that as he is informed, and verily believes, from the character of said boat and the circumstances of said explosion of her boilers, there is good reason to believe said explosion was caused by the gross and criminal negligence and carelessness of said chief engineer, and that by said gross negligence and carelessness, said Lentz has willfully and maliciously caused the death of the persons aforesaid, against the peace and dignity of the State.

“The Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty.

“Neither the Attorney General, the District Attorney, or any other counsel was present to represent the State. Mr. Thos. Hart appeared for the prosecution, but we understand only at the request of some friends of persons whose death had been caused by the explosion. Mr. Wm. Hunt was counsel for the accused.

“Forty-eight witnesses had been subpoenaed, the greater number of which were in curt. The court was crowded with spectators, principally persons engaged, and interested in river navigation. The first witness called was Charles Petrie. He was not in court when called, but was subsequently, and was not examined. As his testimony was altogether hearsay, however, his evidence could have had no weight.

“E. Grinnell, sworn. – Has served an apprenticeship as an engineer; has not been in the business for several years; has been for the last six years foreman in Leeds’ Foundry; thinks his apprenticeship and experience in superintending the construction and repairs of boilers constitute him a practical engineer. Was one of the Committee which examined the boilers of the Concordia after the explosion. Has no knowledge of the explosion having been caused by carelessness, or done intentionally; only knows the boilers were burst; examined them here. Does not know when or where the explosion occurred. His opinion is that the explosion was caused by the water in the boilers being too low; the fact that the flue collapsed was strong evidence of this, very strong; has no knowledge of any other cause that would collapse the flue, but insufficiency of water in the boilers; a fresh supply of water coming in contact with a heated boiler causes an explosion. Does not know Lentz. From the appearance of the boilers they must, at the time of the explosion, have attained 580 degrees of heat; does not know this altogether from his own experience; more from scientific authority. Has heard the boilers were in use five or six years; they had a very good appearance for that age; could not see any difference between the exploded and the other boilers in the quality of the metal. It is only the opinion of witness that the boilers exploded from an insufficiency of water; does not know if there was nay other cause; does not say it is impossible for a boiler to burst when full of water; if the flues are perfectly sound, is of opinion it is impossible. It was the first flue that was collapsed, the other flue on the same boiler was not collapsed, but had appearance of having come in contact with something. Thinks the flue collapsed in the side – horizontally. Does not call the iron of the flue bad, although some engineers might. Some of the iron had the appearance of isinglass; good iron has this appearance some times. It was a portion of the after head of the boiler that exploded. The boat has one safety-valve; does not know the size of it; did not measure it, but in a case of this kind would not consider it of sufficient size. In the two boilers that did not explode there was no indication of extreme heat; if the boat was listed the upper boiler would naturally be more heated; when the boat righted the water came in contact first with the flue which collapsed. The water ought to have been sixteen or seventeen inches from the top of the boiler, with the boat righted, and ought never to be less than three inches above the flue; did not observe this was the case in this boat; considers, from examination of the flues, they were sound.

“A. Mitchel, (refused to sworn was affirmed.) – Was one of the Examining Committee. The portion of the flue submitted to his examination, he is pretty well satisfied, had been up to a temperature of 570 degrees, and if it had been immersed in water, it could not have obtained that heat; does not consider over 180 pounds pressure (to the square inch), or 367 degrees of heat, safe. With a temperature of 580 degrees thinks there must be a pressure of about 800 pounds; to ascertain this requires calculation; would not speak positively, therefore, as he had no tables with him. Dis not observe any thing bad in the iron of the flue; his opinion is that the flue was sound before it collapsed. Never saw the boilers before they were examined by the committee. The collapse was caused by a pressure of steam. The portion of the collapsed flue shown him was taken from the boiler head, and the portion of the boiler, near the flue, showed the same heat. Is positively convinced the accident would not have occurred if there was sufficient water in the boiler; that is his opinion; does not say an explosion from other causes is impossible, but thinks it improbable. Would not say the explosion would not have taken place if the boat was perfectly righted; had heard the boat was listed when the explosion took place, and when righted the explosion occurred, hence his opinion that scarcity of water was the cause; this is a fair inference. The guage cocks were one or one and a half inches above the flue; the lead in the chock joints, near the guage cocks, was melted on one of her sound boilers. The heat necessary to melt lead, according to experience of witness, is 590 degrees; the lead might have been oxidized. Has known an instance in which engineers were totally at a loss to know the cause of an explosion; the cause was conjecture, as in this instance. Has examined the boilers, especially where ruptured, and saw nothing bad in the iron. Opinion of witness coincides, in the main, that that of Mr. Grinnell.

“J. Armstrong sworn. – Is a boiler maker. Is not a practical engineer, but being engaged in making boilers ought to know something about them. Opinion is, that flue collapsed from insufficiency of water; seeing the flue collapsed was evidence to him, and based his opinion on it. Was one of the Examining Committee. Did not form an opinion as to the degree of heat when the boiler exploded; has examined the iron of the collapsed flue; it has been burned; could not tell when it was burned; it was defective from the burning; there are seven of the flues not collapsed;; one sheet of iron in the collapsed flue was split; considered the sheet bad iron; it was split in rolling, and might have been put in the flue without being noticed; the split could not be observed until the iron was heated.

“Robert Douglass sworn. Is a practical engineer: was one of the Examining Committee. The cause of the explosion, in his opinion, was a deficiency of water. There is no other way the flue could have been weakened but by heating it; the quality of the iron in the flue must have been very good; there was a split in one sheet of the iron, but where the flue collapsed the iron was perfectly sound. Observed the chock joints; they are in the second sheet from the front of the boiler; they were not so much exposed to fire as the top of the flue. The top of the chock joint was on a level with the top of the flue in this instance; the lead on the top of the chock joint was not melted; it was affected by the explosion. Does not think, even if the boat was perfectly righted, there could have been sufficient water in the boilers. So far as his experience, was always able to assign a cause for an explosion. There is always a difference of opinion as to the cause of an explosion among engineers, but witness can distinguish by the appearance of a rupture, whether the iron was cold or hot.

_____Vandevindly sworn. – Is a practical engineer. Examined the boilers of the Concordia when she was brought here after the explosion, and on the morning she arrived. Came to the conclusion, from the appearance of the boiler and the flue, that the explosion was caused by a deficiency of water in the boilers. The examination led him to the belief that at the time of the explosion the boat must have been down by the stern, and that there was not over 8 inches of water in the after part of the boiler and 3½ to 4 inches forward. When he went on board, had a conversation with a striker or 3d engineer of the boat, who was called John Williams, or Nosey; Williams told him he was 3d engineer. (Was asked by Mr. Hart what was the conversation, what he was told concerning the explosion by Williams. The question was objected to by Counsel for the defense, and was overruled.) The collapse witness thinks might have taken place with a sufficiency of water. Thinks the boilers would have borne 800 pounds of steam to the square inch; the appearance of the exploded boilers would indicate there was a perpendicular exposure of the iron to fire. Saw no defect in the boilers. The flue showed that it must have been nearly red hot at the time of the explosion. When witness went on board, saw the bodies of two dead persons; one, a deck hand, who, he was told, was near the boiler at the time of the explosion, had very little appearance of being scalded;; he appeared to have died from inhaling hot vapor; if there had been plenty of water in the boilers it is natural to suppose a person near them would have presented more of the appearance of having been scalded. Witness is now employed in the place of the accused as 1st engineer of the Concordia. Has some to the conclusion there was but 8 inches of water in the after part of the boiler, by his knowledge of the appearance of iron that has been heated, and from measuring the part in question, where the scale was knocked off. Is satisfied there was not water enough in the boiler for safety, from the color of the iron where the scale was off. For experiment witness, with another engineer, built a fire in one of the flues that was unaffected by fire, and after heating it to cherry red, on examination next morning found no change in the appearance of the iron. Iron subjected to extraordinary heat turns blue. Found a piece of bad iron in the collapsed flue. The flue was about thirty feet long. It was collapsed nearly the whole length. Is satisfied thee boat was down astern at the time of the collapse. Does not know Lentz.

John F. Hunt, sworn. – Has examined the boilers of the Concordia; opinion of witness is, that the cause of the disaster was a want of water in the larboard boilers; does not think it probable it could have occurred from any other cause; does not conceive it possible. Found no deficiency in either boiler or flue, except from explosion. Believes the boilers have been used four years; should not have been materially injured in that time. Did not see any of the persons killed. Was one of the Committee of Examination. Ha known boilers to require repairs in the first or second year of their use. Does not know John Lentz.

“John Yore, sworn. – Is an engineer. Examined the boiler when it was in a collapsed state; is of opinion a want of sufficient water caused the collapse; does not think it possible any other cause could have effected the collapse, with an ordinary head of steam; frequently carries, himself, 150 pounds to the inch. Did not examine the iron of the flue. Has always been under the impression that it is the insufficiency of water that causes collapses. Does not know what head of steam was up when the explosion occurred. Does not know Lentz.

“Mr. Hart now announced that no more testimony would be offered for the prosecution. Thereupon the Recorder said he did not wish to hear anything for the defense.

“Mr. Hunt said that he had in court three times as many engineers as had been heard for the prosecution, many of them scientific me, who would testify that the explosion was from other causes than those stated, and who would prove, also, the excellent character of his client.

“The Recorder said it was unnecessary, and having dismissed the case, the prisoner was discharged.” (Daily Crescent, New Orleans, LA. “The Explosion on the Concordia.” 10-14-1848, p. 2.)

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Way, Frederick Jr. (Author and Compiler), Joseph W. Rutter (contributor). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1999.