1858 — Jan 28, Fanny Fern boiler explosion, fire, Ohio River, ~Garrison Creek, KY–>17-20

–>17-20 Blanchard.*

— 20 Berman. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 243. (Has date as Jan 20.)
— 20 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 244.
— 20 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 684. (Has date as Jan 20.)
— ~20 US SIS. Appendix 12, US Treasury Dept. Report on the Finances, Oct 25, 1858, p. 273.
— 20 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv.] System… 1999, 162.
–13-15 Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “Explosion, Conflagration…Sinking of a Steamer.” 1-29-1858, 2
— 15 NYT. “Dreadful Steamboat Accident. Explosion of the Steamer Fanny Fern,” 1-29-1858
— 14 NYT. “Steamboat Disaster. Explosion…‘Fanny Fern’ on the Ohio River,” 2-1-1858, p.5.
— 13 NYT. “The Disaster to the Fanny Fern,” Jan 30, 1858, p. 1.
— 12 Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “Telegraphic.” 1-29-1858, p. 3. (Identified deaths.)

*Blanchard on fatalities. For the low-end of our fatality range we refer to the listing of fatalities we provide after the Narrative section below. It is clear to us that at least seventeen people are identified by name or position. It is possible that a name is provided for one of the two unnamed crew members given the report concerning the wife of a victim (Mrs. Mary Mitchell). In that we have not seen the name of a Mr. Mitchell reported as a fatality, either he was one of the two unnamed crew, or an eighteenth identified fatality. For the high-end of our fatality range we rely on Berman, Lytle and Holdcamper, Nash, the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service report, and Way, all of whom report twenty or about twenty (US SIS) deaths. We note, as a cautionary remark, that just because the consensus of these sources is twenty, that does not make it indisputably so. We have noted in other events where each of these sources has been incorrect in the deaths reported.

**Blanchard on dating: Despite the fact that Berman, Lytle and Holdcamper, Nash, and the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service all date the explosion as occurring on Jan 20, it is clear from newspaper reporting at the time that the date was Jan 28. There is no mention of any untoward happenstance concerning the Fanny Fern in any newspaper at the time in the U.S. to which we have access. After the explosion on the 28th, there are many reports. See, as well, the Jan 23 report we reproduce below which notes that the Fanny Fern left St. Louis on Jan 23.

***Blanchard on location: We refer the reader to our footnotes to accounts below concerning the location of the explosion. It is clear to us that the explosion took place in approximately the center of the Ohio near the apex of the North Bend, downriver from North Bend and Cincinnati, and upriver of Lawrenceburg, IN (Way’s location). Not only the middle of the Ohio River at and near the North Bend, but virtually all of the Ohio River at and near North Bend, is within KY territory – with the border between OH and KY running within the Ohio and just offshore of the Ohio shoreline. The wreck floated downriver for about one-half mile stranding at a Kentucky shore bar.

Narrative Information

U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service: “In this district there have been but two disasters involving the loss of life, one of these was the explosion of one of the boilers of the steamer Fanny Fern on the 20th of January last, while on her trip from St. Louis to Cincinnati, at a point on the Ohio river about eighteen miles below Cincinnati; by this disaster there were lost, as near as could be ascertained, about twenty lives, including the captain, clerk, and five of the crew.

“The boat took fire from the explosion, and burning to the water’s edge became a total loss; the starboard boiler exploded and such was the force that the shell was torn open about twenty feet of its length, detaching it from the front head, collapsing both flues and tearing off entire the steam drum, mud receiver, and steam pipe, all of which were attached in the strongest manner; some of these had large pieces of the boiler attached to them, which were torn out of the body of the boiler as though they were but paper.

“This explosion was undoubtedly the result of negligence or incompetence on the part of the assistant engineer, who was on duty at the time.

“The life-boat proved very serviceable in saving the lives of some twenty-five or more persons; it was investigated by the local board at Pittsburg, and though no punishment was inflicted by them upon the engineer on duty for his conduct, or immediate connection with the explosion, both engineers were reported by them to the supervising inspector, and by him to the district attorney for prosecution, for having been guilty of infraction of the law in carrying a pressure of steam greater than allowed by the certificate.

“The supervising inspector censured the conduct of the local board for not inflicting some penalty upon the engineer on duty at the time of the explosion, which led to an examination being ordered by the honorable Secretary of the Treasury, and resulted in the opinion and course of the supervising inspector being sustained.” (US SIS. Appendix 12, US Treasury Dept. Report on the Finances, Oct 25, 1858, p. 273.)

Way: Fanny Fern. Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in California, PA in 1853, measuring 153 x 29 x 4.3. “….Exploded her center boiler at Lawrenceburg, Ind., on Jan. 20, 1858, upbound from St. Louis to Cincinnati. Capt. Ben Woodward, Newport, Ky., was master, and was lost. Moses Scott, pilot on watch, landed between the boilers still holding the pilotwheel and was unharmed. She burned following the explosion and drifted one and one-half miles and sank along the Kentucky shore. Twenty lives were lost.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System… 1999, p. 162.)

Newspapers

Jan 23: “Evansville, Jan 25th, 12 P.M. – Eds. Com – Steamer Fanny Fern, left St. Louis, Jan. 23d at 5 P.M. with three hundred and sixty tons freight and twenty-three cabin and thirty-nine deck passengers….Lost six hours at Liberty Island in a storm. Met. Ohio Belle, at Cairo. Took on thirty passengers between Cairo and Evansville, discharged fourteen tons of freight at Paducah and Smithland. Have on board sixty tons freight for N. Albany, Louisville and Madison.”
(Cincinnati Daily Commercial, OH. “River and Steamboat News.” 1-28-1858, p. 4.)

Jan 28, NYT: “Cincinnati, Thursday, Jan. 28. The steamer Fanny Fern, bound to St. Louis from Pittsburg, with 400 tons of produce, 15 cabin and 20 deck passengers, exploded her boiler at 2 o’clock this afternoon, 18 miles below this city. Fifteen lives are reported to be lost, including Capt. Woodward, several deck hands and firemen, and three ladies…” (NYT. “Dreadful Steamboat Accident. Explosion of the Steamer Fanny Fern,” Jan 29, 1858, p. 4.)

Jan 29, Cincinnati Daily Commercial: “Yesterday, at 2 P.M., the steamer Fanny Fern, Captain Benj. Woodward, bound from St. Louis for Pittsburgh, with over three hundred tons of produce and twenty or thirty cabin and deck passengers, when at Bosley’s Bar, near North Bend, eighteen miles below this city, exploded one (the center) boiler out of three, which passed out on the larboard side, destroying the forward part of the boat. The flames from the furnace spreading with fearful rapidity, the entire boat was soon enveloped in a sheet of fire, and burned to the water’s edge, when the hull sunk – the boat and cargo being a total loss.

“We regret to announce that from thirteen to fifteen lives were lost by this deplorable accident – three ladies (cabin passengers), two children, three deck passengers, and five firemen and deck hands. Captain Ben. Woodward, the commander of the boat, a resident of Newport [KY], is missing, and it is feared was killed or drowned.

“The clerks, Messrs. Alfred J. Rogers, and Harry Drum, of Pittsburgh, were both scalded – the former, it is feared, was fatally wounded…They were in the office when the boiler burst….They were blown into the river simultaneously, falling within five feet of each other, and fortunately caught hold of a few floating sticks of cord wood, when they were rescued by a yawl sent to their relief. Mr. Drum thinks he was blown forward, and passed under the boat.

“The hurricane deck parted from the cabin, and floated out of sight, with three men clinging to it – one of whom, it is hoped, may prove to have been the Captain.

“Moses Scott, the pilot, on watch at the time, found himself, after the first shock of the explosion, lying lame and bruised between the two remaining boilers, with the wheel still in his hand. He escaped, as did Wesley Jacobs, the other pilot, who was in the ‘Texas’ when the boat blew up.

“Daniel Miller, and a German named Reed, were the engineers of the steamer. They were only slightly scalded….

“Among the lost are a Mr. Murphy and lady, on their way to Pittsburgh; a widow lady and her child, going to a point back of Maysville, Ky.; a fireman named Walker and another known on the boat as ‘Bob.’ Hannah Thomas, colored chambermaid, drowned….

“By a most fortunate coincidence, a passenger train (Cincinnati & Indianapolis) on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad broke an axle neat Gravel Pit Station, and directly opposite the scene of this awful catastrophe, a short time before the explosion. The slight accident to the cars was soon remedied, but the train remained there nearly three hours, while every effort was made to assist in saving the passengers and crew of the ill-fated steamer. Those who were rescued, including the wounded, were brought to this city. Thus the latter were brought within reach of medical aid many hours sooner than they otherwise would.

“The explosion, the conflagration and the struggle for life, is described as most appalling. Eye witnesses, whose lot it has been to pass through many casualties on the river, assure us that all the circumstances of the loss of the Fanny Fern were more terrible than any they had witnessed. The boat blew up in the middle of the river — a strong wind was blowing at the time which hastened the conflagration. The passengers and crew, not blown overboard, were forced aft by the flames, and finally driven into the water. Some clung to the paddle-wheels, some were fortunate enough to get into the boat while others, in despair, spring into the river with no other thought than to escape the flames. The widow lady, mentioned above, jumped from the deck into the water and was not seen to rise.

“People along both the Ohio and Kentucky shores hastened to the steamer in skiffs, but too late to save any of the women and children. Sixty barrels of coal oil, and a lot of dry hides added to the inflammable material always abundant on a steamboat….

“A porter of the boat was instantly killed while in the act of blacking a pair of boots in the Social Hall…..

“The books and papers of the boat, and all the baggage of the crew and passengers, were lost.

Statement of the Engineer.

“Mr. Miller, Chief Engineer of the Fanny Fern, furnishes the following statement:…

When the explosion occurred on the steamer Fanny Fern, I was off watch and asleep. I had laid down when the whistle blowed for landing at Lawrenceburg — was reading a paper. Capt. Woodward came into my room, sat down on my berth, and, after conversing a few minutes, went below on business. I fell asleep, and when awakened by the explosion, found myself jammed against the roof of the Texas, and broke through the bulkheads with my fists and escaped. I then visited the engine room, when the 2d engineer, Mr. John King, informed me he was only working 140 pounds of steam with six gauges of water in the boilers. The fire doors had been opened five minutes previous to the accident. He exclaimed ‘My God, Dan, what to you think caused the accident.’ I immediately went to work saving the passengers, and was the last of the crew to leave the boat. [signed] Dan’l. G. Miller, Engineer steamer Fanny Fern.”

(Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “Explosion, Conflagration…Sinking of a Steamer.” 1-29-1858, 2.)

Jan 29: “From the Cincinnati Gazette, Jan 29. About two o’clock yesterday afternoon, the stern-wheel steamer Fanny Fern, Captain Ben. Woodward, on her way from St. Louis, when just at the head of Bosley’s Bar, above North Bend, about 16 miles below this city, burst her middle boiler, with a most terrific noise. The exploded part was forced up and forward, carrying with it all but three rooms in the short cabin, the forward guard, the Texas, and the pilot-house. The boiler was carried a distance of seventy or eighty yards from the boat, and sunk in the river.

“Immediately following the explosion, the cabin and every part of the boat was filled with steam, and the wildest confusion ensued, rendering anything like system or order utterly impossible. In the cabin there were twelve males and two female passengers, and on deck eleven males and three females – 28 passengers in all. The survivors represent the crash which followed the first explosion as terrible and deafening, the upper portion of the steamer falling in one general mass upon the lower deck, as the under-work was carried away by the exploded boiler.

“Captain Woodward was standing upon the starboard guard talking with Mr. Thompson, the mate, and was blown by the explosion into the river, and has not since been seen. He was undoubtedly drowned. The mate was thrown against the railing, to which he held on until he recovered from the concussion, and immediately got out the life boat, and made an effort to save the passengers, in which he was fortunately successful.

“The first clerk, Alfred J. Rogers, and the second clerk, Harvey Drum, both of Pittsburg, were in the office over the boilers, and both were thrown a distance of about sixty yards into the river, and were picked up by the life-boat and conveyed to the Indiana shore. Mr. Rogers had his face, hands and feet very severely scalded, and Dr. Fishback, who attends him at the Broadway Hotel, thinks he is injured internally. Mr. Drum was scalded on the face, and arms, but less severely….

“A widow lady and child, whose name is not known, on her way from St. Louis to some place about fifty-five miles back of Maysville, who came on board at Louisville, were drowned. After the boat was in flames, the mother rushed to the stern of the boat, fastened the child he her person, and jumped into the river. She had been deserted by her husband in Missouri, and had been given a free passage to enable here to reach her friends. Both mother and child sunk, and were seen no more.

“The chambermaid, Hannah Thomas, from Allegany, Pa., was blown out of the boat with a part of the cabin a considerable distance into the air, and was seen to fall into the river, and was drowned.

“A Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, of Pennsylvania, a new married couple, on their way to their residence, were both drowned. Mrs. M. was seen upon the stern of the boat, terribly frightened, and uncontrollable, and finally jumped into the river. Her husband who was standing by her side, followed to rescue her, but in the effort to secure a floating plank, both sunk to the bottom, locked in each other’s arms.

“Mr. Wilson, a deck passenger, an Englishman, on his way to Canada, was blown into the river and drowned.

“All of the persons who are known to be saved from the wreck, were conveyed to the Indiana shore, and the train of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad coming along soon after, injured, scalded and escaped passengers and crew were conveyed to this city, and properly cared for. Many of the deck passengers who fortunately were uninjured, took passage last night on board the Hazel Dell, to their various points of destination. Others remained in the city, in charge of friends, as public charities….

“The steamer headed for the Kentucky shore after the explosion, and gradually floated down the river, and at a distance of a mile and a half from the scene of the catastrophe, burned to the water’s edge, when the hull sunk within thirty feet of the land. The Fanny Fern was owned by Captain W. W. Martin, of Pittsburg, and was valued at $12,000. She was insured in three offices at Pittsburg, for $9,000.” (NYT. “Steamboat Disaster. Explosion of…‘Fanny Fern’ on the Ohio River,” 1 Feb 1858, p. 5.)

Jan 29: “Cincinnati, Jan. 29. The steamer Fanny Fern was owned by W. Martin of Pittsburg, valued at $12,000; insured in three Pittsburg offices for $9,000. The following are known to have been lost: Capt. Benj. Woodward of N.Y., Mr. and Mrs. Murphy of Penn., Wm. Wilson, an Englishman; J. Andrews, Xenia, Ohio; Jas. Maley, Michael Donohue, J. Kavanaugh, T. Walker, R. Riddle, Pitts.; Wilson, lady and child unknown, Hannah Thomas, chambermaid, scalded; Alfred J. Rogers, Pitts., severely scalded; Harris Dram, Pitts., slightly; A. Kirkpatrick, John Flynn, Wm. Paul, J.W. Kerr and several others more or less burned.” (Dubuque Daily Times, IA. “Telegraphic.” 1-29-1858, p. 3.)

Jan 30: “Yesterday, we gathered the following details relative to the terrific explosion, conflagration, and sinking of the steam4r Fanny Fern, on Thursday afternoon, near Bosley’s Bar, eighteen miles below Cincinnati.

“The Madison packet Forest Queen, coming up yesterday, towed one of Gaff’s barges to the wreck, where the Queen remained an hour. It has sunk on a small rock bar at Garrison Creek, half a mile above the mouth of the Big Miami — the stern being within fifty feet of the Kentucky Shore, and the only portion of the wreck above water. A swarm of wreckers were fishing out portions of the cargo, having recovered a lot of flour, boxed clothing, &c. – One of the boilers is resting crosswise on the forecastle….

“Capt. Woodward was undoubtedly drowned, as nothing has been heard from him since he was seen clinging to a piece of the wreck, when the accident occurred….

“The lady, who with an infant in her arms, leaped overboard from the burning wreck, was drowned. The body was found floating in the river opposite Petersburgh, Ky., and decently interred yesterday, by the citizens of that place. She was apparently 30 years of age, and a fine, handsome woman, standing nearly five feet eight inches. Letters found in the pockets of her dress, indicate that she is the wife of Samuel Evans, residing in Johnson county, Missouri, from whom she separated eleven months sine, and was on her way to Mason county, Ky., where her relatives reside….Mrs. Evans was badly burned on the face, neck and breast before she left the wreck. The body of the child has not been recovered….

“John W. Kerr, a coal boatman, from Philadelphia, aged 20 years, died at the Hospital yesterday….

“Three others, at the Hospital, were doing well last night, with hopes of recovery….

“The officers of the Forest Queen inquired at all the landings below where the Fern blew up, and learned that the body of Mrs. Evans was all that was recovered….

“Kink, the second engineer, who was on watch when the explosion occurred, left for Pittsburgh yesterday.” (Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “The Fanny Fern Disaster.” 1-30-1858, p. 2.)

Feb 1: “Editors Commercial. – There being so many conflicting statements in regard to where the steamboat Fanny Fern exploded; also, as to where she now lies, depth of water, &c., &c., I will attempt to give a correct statement from my own knowledge, together with that of others. The spot where she exploded is not fifty yards distant from where the S. B. Medoc sunk several years since, and known to steam-boatmen as Medoc Bar. The run of steamboats is up the Kentucky shore, a short distance above the mouth of Garrison creek. The crossing is there made over to the Ohio shore, and the spot know as Medoc; comes almost in line with the crossing in good water. Now the Fern had not quite completed the crossing, but was running a little for the Ohio shore at the time of the explosion. After the accident she turned almost square across the river, and there being a slight head wind at the time, she was carried to the Kentucky side of the river, and only about one-half mile below where she exploded. The upper works were not yet burned off, but together with the freight contained upon her deck, continued burning until the Kate French came down at about 4½ P.M. The French running close in to the wreck for the purpose of hailing, caused heavy swells, which almost immediately put her under. She lies about two hundred yards above the mouth [east] of Garrison, and in about fifteen feet of water. At the time of sinking the remaining boiler which seemed to be entirely sound, lay across her, just at the aft end of her boiler bed. – As she went under there were five or six distinct escapements, which was caused by the steam which yet remained in her connecting pipes. I think she is on a root about midship, as that part of her did not go entirely under water at the time of sinking, and my impression that she lies upon a snag are strengthened by the fact, that for an hour after she stopped drifting down, her bows showed by three and a half feet draught. The larger portion of her freights are burned, not only that upon decks, but also in the hold. A large portion floated off, and a considerable quantity was taken up along the river, but almost all of it is so damaged by fire, as to be unfit for anything. There was a barge alongside yesterday, taking up all they could get at, which consists principally of ship-stuff; together with a little Barley, and a few barrels of flour. I do not think the saved portion of her cargo is worth salvage. I think the machinery is all left upon her decks, except the larboard engine, which went into the river before she sunk, and the boiler which went over end first at the time she went under. Yours, S. E. D.” (Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “Our Special River Correspondence.” 2-1-1858, p. 4.)

Feb 3: “….Alfred J. Rogers, the first Clerk of the ill-fated Fanny Fern, died at the Broadway Hotel yesterday afternoon, from injuries received by the explosion. He was a noble young man, and beloved and highly respected by all who enjoyed his acquaintance….His father, Capt. Thos. Rogers, arrived here on the second day after the accident occurred, and his mother yesterday, a few hours previous to his death. The remains will be taken to Pittsburgh this evening for interment. Mrs. Drum, the Second Clerk, is recovering slowly. The remains of one of the firemen, name unknown, killed by the explosion, was found in the river, near Lawrenceburg [downriver], and interred by the authorities of the place on Monday. The body of the infant drowned together with its mother, Mrs. Evans, was also picked up in the river near Lawrenceburg. The body of Capt. Woodward has not yet been recovered….” (Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “River and Steamboat News.” 2-3-1858, p. 4, col. 3.)

Aug 25: “We learn that Mr. Cobb, the Secretary of the Treasury, has removed Messrs. John S. Dickey and Andrew Watson, the Local Inspectors in this District, upon complaint of a gentleman residing in Allegheny City, whose son lost his life by the explosion of the Fanny Fern. The action of the Secretary of the Treasury was based upon evidence of the fact that the steamer Fanny Fern had been granted a certificate of inspection, while a portion of her machinery was defective – or, in other words, that the inspection was not as full and thorough as it should have been.

“Messrs. Dickey and Watson have held their office ever since the general steamboat law went into operation, and they have always had the reputation of discharging their duties faithfully. The above is the only instance of complaint against them that we ever remember hearing of, and they utterly deny any neglect of duty or carelessness in the matter….” (Cincinnati Daily Commercial. “Removal of the Local Inspectors.” 8-25-1858, p. 2.)

Aug 31: “John S. Dickey, Inspector of hulls, and Andrew Watson, Inspector of boilers for the port of Pittsburg, have been dismissed from office by the Secretary of the Treasury, for non-performance of their duty in the examination of one of the engineers of the ill-fated steamer Fanny Fern. The attention of the Secretary of the Treasury was called to the matter early in May, by an affidavit of Captain Thomas Rodgers, which set forth that John M. King, engineer, was on watch at the time of the explosion, that the Board of Local Inspectors at Pittsburg had not made sufficient inquiry in relation to the cause of said explosion, and that they had refused to revoke King’s license.” (New York Times. Aug 31, 1858, p. 2.)

Fanny Fern Known Fatalities

1. Andrews, J.; of Xenia, OH.
2. Donohue, Michael. Of Pittsburgh.
3. Evans, Mrs., drowned; body found in river. On way to home of parents ~Maysville, KY.
4. Evans, baby of Mrs. Evans; drowned; body recovered from river near Lawrenceburg, IN.
5. Kavanaugh, J. Of Pittsburgh.
6. Kerr, John J. coal boatman from Philadelphia; 20, died in Cincinnati hospital Jan 29.
7. Maley, Jas. Of Pittsburgh.
8. Murphy, Mr. On way to Pittsburgh; drowned.
9. Murphy, Mrs. On way to Pittsburgh with newly-wed husband; drowned.
10. Riddle, R. Of Pittsburgh.
11. Rogers, Alfred J., 1st clerk, died in Cincinnati of injuries Feb 3; buried Allegheny City, PA.
12. Thomas, Hannah; chambermaid, from Allegany, PA; drowned.
13. Walker, T; fireman. Of Pittsburgh.
14. Wilson, William; deck passenger; Englishman; blown into river and drowned.
15. Woodward, Capt. Benjamin; Newport, KY; drowned; body recovered in river late March.
16. Fireman, unidentified (“Bob”?); found in river near Lawrenceburg; buried there Feb 1.
17. Unnamed porter, killed by the explosion while shining shoes.

It is possible that one of the two unnamed crew was named Mitchell. Mrs. Mary Mitchell, described as “the widow of one of the victims by the Fanny Fern disaster, made application to the steamer Nick Thomas yesterday for passage to Canton, Miss., where her relatives reside.” (Cincinnati Daily Commercial. 3-13-1858, p. 3, col. 3.) If not, then Mr. Mitchell’s death would bring known death-toll to eighteen.

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