1853 — March 23, Steamer Farmer boiler explosion, racing, Galveston Bay, TX –32-36

–35-40 NYT. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion – Thirty to Forty Lives Lost.” 4-5-1853, p. 3.
— ~36 Daily Commercial Register, OH. March 30, 1853, p. 3.
— >36 Francaviglia. From Sail to Steam: Four Centuries of Texas Maritime History. 1998, p. 164.
— ~36 Galveston Bay Nat. Estuary Pgm. The History of Galveston Bay Resource Utilization.
— >36 Maritime Texas. “Buffalo Bayou Packets, Pt. 3.” 5-28-2009.
— 36 New York Daily Times. “News of the Morning,” March 30, 1853, p. 4.
— 36 Portarchive.com. “History: Part III.” 1989, p. 29.
— 36 Waterways Journal. Vol. 103, Issue 2, 1989, p. 66.
— ~36 Zanesville Daily Courier, OH. “Steamboat Disaster.” 3-30-1853, p. 3.
— 32 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 168.
— 32 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 235.
— 32 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 682.
— 32 Twaintimes. “1846-1856.”
— 32 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994…Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, 163.
— 30 Block. “The Neches River Cotton Steamboats: A Romantic Interlude of Frontier Days.”
— 28 Babb. “Shipwrecks in Local Waters.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 5-31-1953, p. 17.

Narrative information

Babb: “In the early 1850’s rivalry caused frequent races between the steamboats on the Galveston and Houston run. During the night of March 26-27, 1853, two of the crack Buffalo Bayou packets, the ‘Neptune’ and the ‘Farmer’ were churning up the water of Galveston Bay in a hot race.

“Suddenly, when the two steamboats were about 10 miles from Galveston up the bay, the boilers of the ‘Farmer’ blew up. The steamboat was completely wrecked and 28 persons were killed. The ‘Neptune,’ which was leading the race, rounded to and rescued the terrified survivors and brought them to Galveston.” (Babb, Stanley. “Shipwrecks in Local Waters.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 5-31-1953, p. 17.)

Block: “Racing, a favorite sport of Texas steamer owners, was then an extremely dangerous practice due to a lack of steam control devices and gauges. In 1841, the first “Albert Gallatin” in Texas, while racing, blew up in Galveston Bay with 15 people killed and injured. In 1853, while the packets “Farmer” and “Neptune” were racing in Galveston Bay, firemen fed pine knots and barrels of fat bacon into the furnace of the boilers until the “Farmer” finally exploded, killing 30 persons.” (Block, W.T. “The Neches River Cotton Steamboats: A Romantic Interlude of Frontier Days.”)

Francaviglia: “Perhaps the most disastrous steamboat explosion in Texas occurred on March 26, 1853, when the steamboat Farmer exploded while racing the Neptune from Houston to Galveston. The explosion of the Farmer’s boilers killed at least thirty-six people, including Captain Webb, and injured many others, including Sidney Sherman, Massachusetts-born hero of the battle of San Jacinto and pioneer Texas railroad builder for whom the first locomotive in Texas was named in 1852….” (Francaviglia. From Sail to Steam: Four Centuries…Texas Maritime History…, 1998, 164.)

Galveston Bay National Estuary Program: “Another cause of accidents was rivalries between captains who would race their boats between Houston and Galveston just as their counterparts did on the Mississippi River and elsewhere. In January, 1853, the Neptune and the Farmer raced towards Galveston sometimes touching sides. While neither vessel was injured on that trip, two months later the Farmer’s boiler blew up near Pelican Island killing perhaps thirty-six people including the captain and twelve crew members (Sibley, 1968:71.)” (Galveston Bay National Estuary Program. The History of Galveston Bay Resource Utilization. “Improving Navigation: Statehood to World War 1, 1846-1914.” Jan 1993, p. 34.)

Maritime Texas: “It’s difficult to estimate the amount of racing that took place on the Houston-Galveston route. It was rare that pilots or crews publicly acknowledged that races occurred, and given the common view of racing as ‘criminally reckless’ pastime, their reticence is perhaps understandable. But the reputation of a boat or master could be made in such an encounter, and the inevitable temptation to pit one boat against another must have been the cause of many a contest. Newspaper editors issued frequent warnings against the folly of racing — a sure sign that the boats were doing just that — and, as one chronicler of Buffalo Bayou’s early years observed, ‘in every instance when a boiler blew up, another boat was very near.’

“The most notorious incident in the history of the packets began in just such a fashion. In the winter of 1852-53, John Sterrett, now master of the Pennsylvania-built sternwheeler Neptune, developed an intense rivalry with Captain Webb of the sidewheeler Farmer. Two years previously, before joining the Houston and Galveston Navigation Company, Sterrett himself had been master of Farmer. Both vessels were considered ‘crack’ boats. The men pitted their boats against one another, and on one run to Galveston in January the two boats actually came in contact with one another. No one was hurt, but that race set the stage for another one two months later. Early on the morning of March 26, 1853, the boats were again racing to Galveston when, a few miles from the finish, Farmer’s boiler burst. The explosion demolished the boiler and hurricane decks above, and blasted dozens of passengers and crew into the water around.

“Captain Sterrett turned Neptune around to render assistance, but for many of those in the water it was too late. Of about 72 persons on board Farmer, at least 36 were killed. Captain Webb was among the dead. The steamer’s mate, Curtis Blakeman, and pilot, Michael McCormick, were injured; both would later rise to become two of the best-known and popular pilots on the route. Also among the injured was passenger Sidney Sherman, a hero of the battle of San Jacinto who would soon thereafter begin working to establish Texas’ first railroad.

“The papers lauded Capt. Sterrett’s efforts to save the passengers and crew of Farmer, but they also criticized both him and Capt. Webb for behaving with criminal recklessness in racing their boats in the first place. It was reported that, even at the moment of the explosion, one of the passengers had been arguing with Captain Webb against the competition, and that this same gentleman had circulated a written protest among the passengers to present to the captain. The surviving officers were never charged, but the incident lingered in the minds of fare-paying passengers and brought about changes in the way the boats were run. After the accident, the boats under Sterrett’s direction were said to have established a reputation for safety and comfort.

“The detailed casualty lists published after the accident give a valuable insight as to how at least some of the boats’ crews were organized. According to press accounts, Farmer carried a crew of 27. Of those, eight are identified by name and task (pilot, clerk, carpenter, etc.). Of the remaining 19 crewmen listed — most of whom must have been firemen, stewards and deckhands — 11 were African American slaves belonging to people not directly connected to the Farmer or her owners. It was commonplace for slaveowners along the Lower Mississippi to hire out their slaves to work on the river, and the casualty list of the Farmer suggests that the practice was carried over into Texas on at least a limited scale. Several years after the disaster, the prevailing rate for slaves to work as deckhands on the Houston-Galveston run was $480 per year. Two other Farmer crewmen are listed as “German,” and were probably recent immigrants from Europe.” (Maritime Texas {blog}. “Buffalo Bayou Packets, Pt. 3.” 5-28-2009.)

Portarchive.com: “An element of excitement was added to some passages in the early 1850s when rival steamboats would race to see which could dock first….

“However, on March 23, 1853, disaster struck. The NEPTUNE, with Capt. Sterrett in charge, and the FARMER, guided by a Capt. Webb, were racing to Galveston. The boiler of the FARMER exploded at a spot just west of Pelican Island. The exact number of deaths was never determined, but the Galveston Tri-Weekly News estimated the total at 36, including the captain and 12 other crew members.

“Gen. Sherman was aboard the FARMER and narrowly escaped with his life. Although Sterrett was commended for rescuing the survivors, he and Webb were criticized by local newspapers for ‘criminal recklessness.’ Thereafter, the captains of the Houston Navigation Co. left racing to the steamboats on the Mississippi River.” (Portarchive.com. “History: Part III.” 1989, p. 29.)

Scientific American, April 16: “On the 23rd of last month while two steamboats, the Neptune and Farmer were racing from Houston to Galveston, in Texas, the boilers of the Farmer exploded with terrific violence, shattering the boat to pieces, killing the captain and a number of others, and severely wounding many of the passengers. Mr. Stackpole – a passenger – was expostulating with the Captain on the danger of racing when the accident took place, and the passengers had prepared a written protest against such reckless exposure of their lives. Many people have asserted and do assert that passengers are the cause of steamboat racing by a desire to beat an opposing boat. This is not true; passengers are in general opposed to racing, and here we have an evidence of this being so. When the Henry Clay was burted [unclear – bursted?] last summer, the passengers were opposed to the race, evidently carried on between that boat and another. The captain of the Farmer paid the penalty of his recklessness; what has been done to bring those in charge of the Henry Clay to justice. Had the owners and captain been poor, miserable, outcast men, they would perhaps have been hanged before this; but wealth and influence are just as powerful in arresting the arm of justice in our Republic as in any despotic country on the face of the earth; yes, in many cases more so. This is a stigma upon our moral character as a people, which we should wash out at once.” (Scientific American. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion.” April 16, 1853, p. 245.)

Twaintimes: “1853…Steamboat Farmer explodes boilers (32 dead), 23 March.” (Twaintimes. “1846-1856.”)

Waterways Journal, 1989: “There was a disaster on March 23, 1853. During a race between the Neptune, Capt. Sterrett master, and the steamer Farmer, with Capt. Webb, the boiler of the Farmer exploded, killing some 36 people including Capt. Webb and 12 other crew…” (Waterways Journal. Vol. 103, Issue 2, 1989, p. 66.)

Way: Farmer – sidewheel packet; built Brownsville, PA in 1849 at 158 tons. “Exploded and lost at Galveston, Tex., Mar. 23, 1853, with loss of 32 lives.” (Way 1994, p. 163.)

Newspapers

March 25: “The Galveston News, of the 25th ult., gives the following account of an explosion on board the steamboat Farmer, about 11 o’clock on the night of the 23d, when she was about ten miles from Galveston, in the bay, on her way from Houston, by which calamity a large number of lives were lost, and many persons were more or less injured. The account of the catastrophe has already been given briefly, by Telegraph:

“The steamers Neptune and Farmer again undertook to race last night, coming from Houston to Galveston.

“About 11 o’clock the Farmer blew up a little West of Pelican Island, in sight of Galveston.
The number of killed and wounded has not yet been ascertained. The Neptune was close by when the explosion took place, and immediately took off the survivors and some of the killed and wounded. Among the killed were [We breakout of paragraph form into separate lines.]

S. E. Hart,
W. Hubby,
T. Hale, the assistant barkeeper,
and several others.

“Missing and supposed to be killed are [We breakout of paragraph form into separate lines.]

Capt. Webb, the commander;
Thos. Pritchard, the clerk;
Caleb Robertson, who kept a coffee-house in this city;
Wm. Warner, second engineer, and
C. H. Sterns.

“….The ladies all escaped unhurt. We learn that the Neptune was about an hour employed in taking off the killed and wounded. The scene of distress is described as heart rending in the extreme. The Neptune returned immediately, after discharging her passengers to renew the search for the missing, and has not yet got back.

“We learn there were some fifty passengers on the Farmer, but we cannot get a list of names.

“Mr. E. M. Stackpole was slightly wounded. It is said that he was expostulating with Capt. Webb against such reckless exposure of the lives of his passengers, when the boat blew up, and was getting the passengers to sign a written protest. Since writing the above, we learn that Mr. Dixon is not expected to survive, and that Mr. McReynolds is very badly, though it is hoped not fatally injured. We have just seen Mr. Westrop, the steward of the Farmer, who is very badly wounded, and can hardly be recognized. William Hale, assistant steward, is also badly wounded, one leg being broken. His recovery is doubtful. Mr. Hunter, of Cincinnati, is severely hurt. Mr. Bornum of Main, has had to have his arm amputated. James Cotton, of Houston, is one of the missing. Mr. Geary, formerly connected with the Journal of this City, is also among the missing.

“Half-past 7 o’clock, A. M. — The Neptune has just come in with the body of Mr. Sternes, the only one of the missing that has been found. Nothing can be seen of Capt. Webb or the rest. All the forward part of the Farmer is blown to atoms. It is the opinion of all whom we have seen, that fully half of the passengers are lost.

“Mr. Dunlevy, carpenter, is among the missing. Philipi Mandus, a Mexican, from Guadalajara, employed in the steward’s department, died this morning about 10 o’clock.

“The mail, books, papers, and money are lost. The boilers are also totally gone….

“The steamer Star State, with a number of our citizens, spent most of yesterday at the wreck, and at night came in with five dead bodies – Mr. Cotton; Mr. Geary, and three negroes. She also brought some of the furniture of the Farmer. She has again returned this morning to the wreck with a cannon, in hopes of raising the bodies of the rest of the missing.

“…Mr. Wooddard, Manager of the Houston Railroad Company is missing; C. St. John, formerly of Lynchburg, but residing at Belleville, Austin County, died last night at 11 o’clock.

“There are yet many passengers whose names cannot be learned. They were mostly strangers, and their names will probably be found on the registers of the Houston hotels.

“Thirteen of the Farmer’s crew have been killed. In addition to those already named are the following: Lewis Hildebrand; Charles Swizer, and one name not known. Also two negroes of Mrs. Gardiner; one do. [ditto] of Capt. Geo. Delesdernier; one do. [ditto] of James Cox, of Houston; one do. [ditto] of Thomas Westrop, died yesterday….

“Messrs. McReynolds, Dixon, Hale and Hunter are all considered in a very critical condition.

“Passengers killed, whose bodies have been found, eight; officers and crew killed, thirteen.
Passengers escaped, including wounded, twenty; adding to these eight killed, and supposing, according to the best information, that the total number of passengers was forty-five, we have seventeen others missing and consequently killed making the total number of souls lost thirty-six.

“Further — The steamer Star State again returned from the wreck of the Farmer at 2½ o’clock this afternoon, bringing the bodies of Capt. Webb; Thos. Pritchard, clerk; A. F. Dunley, carpenter, and a German, (name unknown,) who was a passenger. Three of these bodies were found by grappling about sixty yards ahead of the wreck. It is known that there are five others killed, whose bodies have not been recovered. One of these, the second engineer, it is supposed was blown to atoms, as the bricks of the furnace were scattered with much apparent force in the direction of his usual position….

“Point Bolivar beach for miles is strewn with fragments of the wreck. The pieces are generally as small as wood would be split for kindling purposes.” (New-York Daily Times. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion – Thirty to Forty Lives Lost.” 4-5-1853, p. 3.)

March 27: “New Orleans, March 27. A steamboat disaster occurred on Galveston Bay, Texas, on the night of the 23d. The steamers Neptune and Farmer, racing from Houston to Galveston, the latter exploded, killing the Captain, Clerk, second Engineer and 13 of the crew; about 20 of the passengers were also killed or missing. The ladies were mostly saved.” (Zanesville Daily Courier, OH. “Steamboat Disaster.” 3-30-1853, p. 3.)

March 30: “A terrible steamboat disaster occurred in Galveston Bay on the 23rd. The steamboats Neptune and Farmer were racing from Houston to Galveston, when the latter exploded, killing Captain, Clerk and second mate. Thirteen of the crew and about 20 passengers were either killed or missing. Twenty passengers, mostly ladies, were saved.” (Daily Commercial Register, OH. March 30, 1853, p. 3.)

March 30: “Another of the terrible steamboat disasters which mark Western navigation is reported as having occurred in Galveston Bay on the night of the 23d inst. The steamers Neptune and Farmer were racing from Houston (Texas) to Galveston, when the Farmer exploded and killed 36 persons, including the Captain, Clerk and second engineer. No names given.” (New York Daily Times. “News of the Morning,” March 30, 1853, p. 4.)

Sources

Babb, Stanley E. “Shipwrecks in Local Waters: Battle Off Galveston.” Galveston Daily News, 5-31-1953, section 2. Accessed at http://newspaperarchive.com

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

Block, W.T. “The Neches River Cotton Steamboats: A Romantic Interlude of Frontier Days.” Accessed 2-5-2012 at: http://www.wtblock.com/wtblockjr/neches1.htm

Daily Commercial Register, Sandusky, OH. [Steamboat Farmer Explosion], March 30, 1853, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=7202613

Francaviglia, Richard V. From Sail to Steam: Four Centuries of Texas Maritime History, 1500-1900. University of Texas Press, 1998. Partially digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UZnJIPCOALAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Galveston Bay National Estuary Program. The History of Galveston Bay Resource Utilization. “Improving Navigation: Statehood to World War 1, 1846-1914.” Jan 1993, p. 34. Accessed 2-5-2012 at: http://gbic.tamug.edu/gbeppubs/39/gbnep_39_33-41.pdf

Lytle, William M., compiler, from Official Merchant Marine Documents of the United States and Other Sources; Holdcamper, Forrest H. (Editor, and Introduction by). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. “The Lytle List.” Mystic, CT: Steamship Historical Society of America (Publication No. 6), 1952. Accessed 8-16-2020 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015018039084&view=1up&seq=9&size=125&q1=ceres

Maritime Texas. “Buffalo Bayou Packets, Pt. 3.” 5-28-2009. Accessed 2-5-2012 at: http://maritimetexas.net/wordpress/?p=1287

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

New-York Daily Times. “News of the Morning,” March 30, 1853, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2800011

New-York Daily Times. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion – Thirty to Forty Lives Lost.” 4-5-1853, p. 3. Accessed 8-28-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1853/04/05/issue.html

Portarchive.com. “History: Part III.” 1989, p. 29. Accessed 2-5-2012 at: http://www.portarchive.com/1989/03-March%20Page%201%20to%2039.pdf

Scientific American. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion.” April 16, 1853, p. 245. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=25soAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Twaintimes. “1846-1856.” [Broken link.]

Waterways Journal. Vol. 103, Issue 2, 1989, p. 66.

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.

Zanesville Daily Courier. “Steamboat Disaster [Farmer boiler explosion].” 3-30-1853, p. 3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/the-zanesville-daily-courier/1853-03-30/page-3/