1868 — March 18, steamer Magnolia boiler explosion/fire, OH River, ~California, KY– 35

— 35 Blanchard estimated death-toll.*

— 103 Townsend. The Handbook of the Year 1868. 1869, 333.
— >100 Weekly Maysville Eagle, KY. “The Magnolia Explosion!” 3-25-1868, p. 3, col. 2.
— 89 Christian Advocate, St. Louis, MO. “A Turbine Wheel.” P. 5, col. 3.
— 83 New York Times. “The Magnolia Explosion,” March 21, 1868, p. 5.
— 80 Daily Index, Petersburg, VA. “The Magnolia Disaster,” March 21, 1868, p. 2.
— 80 Janesville Gazette, WI. “Terrible Steamboat Disaster,” March 19, 1868, p. 1.
— 80 Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. “Every Day’s Record.” Vol. XLIII, March 1889, 456.
— 80 Lossing. Harper’s Encyclopedia of United States History…to 1902. 1902, 454.
— 80 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 686.
— 80 New York Times. “The Magnolia Explosion,” March 20, 1868, p. 1.
— 80 Simonds. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 100.
— ~70 Campbell County [KY] Views. “Other Campbell County.”
— ~70 Schmidt and Klotter. Kentucky Illustrated: The First Hundred Years. 1992, 89.
–35-70 Parnell, Jeremy. “The Strange Tale of the Steamer Magnolia.” Oct 4, 2006.
— ~40 Artizan Club (London). The Artizan, “Accidents,” Vol. 26, No. 5, May 1, 1868, p. 119.
— 40 Pittsburgh Gazette, PA. “River News.” 3-20-1868, p. 3, col. 2.
— 40 Union Merchants’ Exchange. Annual Statement…Trade…Commerce of Saint Louis, 1869, 18.
— 35 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 253.
— 35 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 257.
— 35 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]…1999, 303.
— 31 Gould, E. W. Fifty Years on the Mississippi… 1889, p. 437.

Blanchard on location of explosion: We have highlighted in yellow some of the reporting on locations. We have concluded from the descriptions below that the location was California, KY.

*Blanchard on estimated death-toll. We accept a death-toll of 35 deaths in that the number of thirty-five deaths has been reported by professional publications such as found with Berman, Lytle and Holdcamper, and Way. Our own attempt to put together a list of fatalities as identified in the reporting at the time totals to thirty-five individuals. In that there is some ambiguity in the spelling of names and home locality, we wonder if one or more names are duplicates. It is possible that there were additional deaths, but if so we have not been able to locate specific reporting.

It is perhaps to be expected that newspaper reporting and periodicals of the time would reflect fears or anticipation of death tolls of 70, 80, 83 or 100. There clearly was not a death-toll in the range of 70-103. It is disappointing to see such numbers regurgitated in the years afterwards, when more authoritative reporting has been available for a long time.

Narrative Information

Campbell County [KY] Views. “Other Campbell County”: “The Steamer Magnolia’s boiler exploded on March 18, 1868 near California, Kentucky. Nearly 70 people lost their lives.”

Lippincott: “The steamboat Magnolia exploded her boilers on the Ohio River. Eighty lives were lost.” (Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. “Every Day’s Record” Vol. XLIII, Jan-Jun 1889, 456.)

Lytle and Holdcamper: “Magnolia…375 [tons]…exploded…3 18-1868…California, Ohio … 35 [lives lost].”

Parnell. “The Strange Tale of the Steamer Magnolia.” Oct 4, 2006:

“The steamer Magnolia was a wooden, seagoing, sidewheel steamer built at Greenpoint, N.Y., in 1857 by Charles Morgan’s Southern SS Co…..Over a decade after it was first commissioned, and long after the cannons of the Civil War went cold, the battle worn steamer Magnolia met its end on the Ohio River not too far from Maysville Kentucky. In what could only be called irony for a boat whose crew once exploded its own boilers to escape capture, on March 18, 1868, one of the boilers on the Magnolia burst, catching fire to and destroying the ship. By some accounts, the explosion ignited gunpowder the boat was carrying. According to the Maysville Republican thirty-five people were killed (though by some accounts it was as many as 70); others were horribly disfigured for life.” (Parnell. “The Strange Tale of the Steamer Magnolia.” Maysville Kentucky Blog, 10-4-2006.)

Schmidt and Klotter. Kentucky Illustrated.. 1992, 89:

“On March 18, 1868, twelve miles above Cincinnati, the steamer Magnolia exploded and burned. Nearly half of the 140 on board died in the explosion, in the subsequent fire, or by drowning. The people of the village of California, Kentucky, helped rescue the survivors. Because of steam engine and boiler explosions, collisions, fires, accidental sinkings, difficult operating conditions and bad weather, steamboats on the Ohio River had an average life span of no more than five years.”

Way: Magnolia, Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in 1859 in Cincinnati, OH, at 375 tons, measuring 200 x 31 x 5.5, with three boilers. “Upbound, Mar. 18, 1868, she had landed at California, Oh., and was leaving the landing when the boilers exploded with loss of 35 lives. The towboat Panther came to assist. The burning wreck floated to Columbia before sinking. Captain Prather’s body was never found.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). 1999, p. 303.)

Newspaper, Periodicals, Handbooks of 1868

Townsend. Handbook of the Year 1868, 333: “Magnolia (Steamboat Explosion). – This vessel which left Maysville, Kentucky, United States, Wednesday, March 1868, for Cincinnati, exploded her boilers on the Ohio river, about twelve miles from her destination, and afterwards caught fire. The scenes were of the most harrowing description, and the hull was blown up, the flames having set fire to some gunpowder which was on board. The passengers and crew amounted to about 160, and only 57 were saved, the captain and several ladies being amongst the victims.”

March 18-19, Janesville Gazette, WI. “Terrible Steamboat Disaster,” March 19, 1868, p. 1:

“Cincinnati, March 18. – The steamer Magnolia, the Cincinnati and Maysville regular packet, which left here at noon to-day with about one hundred cabin passengers and a large amount of freight, exploded her boilers twelve mile above the city at half-past one o’clock this afternoon. The greater portion of the cabin was carried away, and the boat afterward took fire. About forty persons were killed several being burned to death.

“Later. Cincinnati, March 18, evening. – The Magnolia had one hundred and twenty passengers and a crew of forty. Fifty seven persons are known to have been saved….The boat took fire immediately after the boilers exploded, and after the remaining upper works were destroyed, some powder in the magazine exploded, destroying everything but the hull, which soon sunk. Many of the passengers jumped overboard and were drowned, while others were burned to death. The captain of the boat is among the lost….

“Cincinnati, March 19. – The Magnolia was built at this city in October, 1859 and was two hundred feet in length, thirty feet beam and six feet depth of hold. She had three boilers; each twenty-four feet in length and forth-six inches in diameter, and five flues. Also two engines…She was owned by David Gibson, J.K. Prather her commander, O.F. Shaw, 1st Clerk, and Mr. B. Gardner, who was on board at the time of the disaster. When she left this city she had over one hundred cabin passengers and all the freight she could carry. The scene at the time of the explosion was terrible. Some were blown high into the air, others were thrown into the river, where they struggled to keep from drowning, and many lay scattered here and there on the wreck terribly mangled.

“After the Magnolia had floated about a mile and a half down the river, a large lot of loose hay caught fire which reached the magazine, blowing up three kegs of powder and causing a second explosion to take place. The boat immediately caught fire and sunk in three minutes after the last explosion…. [15 people known to be dead are listed.]

“The Magnolia’s boats were constantly making trips between the wreck and shore, and picked up all she could carry. Skiffs from the California were also sent out which assisted in rescuing many from a watery grave. Several after being taken into boats being so badly burned and scalded could not endure it, jumped into the river and were drowned….

“Cincinnati, March 19. – It is now ascertained fully that one hundred and forty persons were on the Magnolia, eighty of whom were lost…” (Janesville Gazette, WI. “Terrible Steamboat Disaster.” 3-19-1868, p. 1.)

March 21: “Since the explosion of the Magnolia, Wednesday afternoon, the banks as far as this city have been traversed by men and boys in search of baggage, valuables, &c., from the wreck….

“The bodies of several passengers, including that of Mr. Rice, are reported to have been found at Lawrenceburg. We have received no positive assurance of this, however. ….

John Thomas, Esq., formerly Mayor of Newport, Kentucky, together with his wife, was on board the Magnolia at the time of the accident, and as they have not been heard from since, they are supposed to be lost.

“The following is a complete list of the officers and crew of the ill-fated Magnolia, with the particulars as to their fate or fortune: [We break into separate lines and omit the “saved.”]

Captain J. H. Prather, lost….
Perry Miller, second mate, lost….
Jas. Stevens, second engineer, lost;
Jno. F. Brown, Striker, lost….
Mary Copeland, stewardess, lost;
Wm. Smith, porter, lost….
W. [“Bill”] Evans, bar-keeper, lost….
Stephen Shorter, cabin, not known;
Fred Turner, cabin boy, lost;
Townsend, lost….
Alex. White, cabin, lost….
William, boy to cook, not known;
Alex. Clough [or Lluff], fireman, lost;
Green Johnston, fireman, lost;
Thos. Palmer, fireman, lost….

“The hull of the Magnolia lies with the bottom upward, on the Kentucky side of the channel, and will be no obstruction to boats during low water….

“Mr. Henry Clark, messenger of the Adams Express Company, is lying in the city in a critical condition, and his friends have doubts of his recovery.

“A colored deck-hand, who was injured by the explosion of the steamer Magnolia, died at the Commercial Hospital yesterday morning. Coroner Emmert will hold an inquest on the body today.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “The Magnolia Disaster.” 3-21-1868, p. 8, col. 1.)

March 22: “Mr. Oscar F. Shaw, clerk of the ill-fated Magnolia, has furnished us with a list of the passengers, officers and crew of this steamer. It is reported that her cabin register was found floating in the river at North Bend, twenty miles below Cincinnati. The following list gives the names of seventy-six cabin passengers, and crew numbering forty-three. Mr. Elliott, second clerk, who was in charge of the office when the explosion occurred, is confident there were not over four passengers whose names are not in the list. There were only five deck passengers on board….
Passengers

….Myer Ochs, Cincinnati, dead;
Isaac Saunders [or Sanders], Cincinnati, lost;
M. Fosbener [Leopold Fasbender?], Cincinnati, lost….
Thos. K. McIlvain, Maysville, lost;
Colonel D. Patton, Elizaville, Ky., lost….
Jos. [Joseph] Batty, Cincinnati [Maysville, KY], lost….
O. N. Evans, Ripley, lost;
B. Bradford, Ripley, lost;
D. H. Murphy, Ripley, lost;
Wm. [Mayer?] Rice, Cincinnati, lost;
Rev. [Frank W.] Stone, Maysville, lost….
Jos. McGraw, Chilo, lost;
H. Babbitt, Chilo, lost….
J. Reese, Chilo, lost….
_____ [James?] Dougherty, Higginsport, Ohio, lost.

Ladies Cabin.

….Miss Arretta French, Dover,, Ky., lost….
Mrs. Holmes, Maysville, lost….

(Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “The Magnolia Disaster.” 3-22-1868, p. 8, col. 3.)

March 23: “A Liberal Reward Is Offered For the body of P. W. Reese, of Felicity, who was lost on the steamer Magnolia. He is 5 feet 8 in. high, tall and slender, light hair, and whiskers and mustache, dressed in black cloth sack-coat and pants, and velvet vest. He has in his pocket a long business pocket-book, containing bills of goods marked to Swearengen & Reese. Any person finding the same, apply to Hunnewell, Mores & Hukill, 89 Main st., or A. H. Swearengin.”

“A Liberal Reward Will Be Paid for the recovery of the body of James Dougherty, lost on the steamer Magnolia. He was about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches in height, black hair and light chin whiskers and mustache; had on at the time a dark cassimere suit. He can be identified by papers supposed to be on her person. Any information will be received at my residence, 1228 E. Front, st., or at the Marine Railway and Dry Dock Co., Seventeenth Ward. A. K. Brookbank.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Rewards.” 3-23-1868, p. 5, col. 3.)

March 24: “250 Reward Will Be Paid For the recovery of the body of Leopold Fasbender, to wit: Bethel Lodge No. 4, I.O.B.B., $100; relatives, 211 Main st., $150. Leopold Fasbender was lost by the explosion of the ill-fated steamer Magnolia; he was about 5 feet 8 inches high, of slim build; had thin side whiskers; whiskers and hair light color; had on silver watch and common chain. Any information to be left at 111 Laurel st. This includes all previous rewards. Israel Braun. Cincinnati, March 23, 1868.”

“$300 Reward Will Be Paid For the recovery of the body of Isaac Sanders, to wit: Bethel Lodge No. 4, I.O.B.B., $100; relatives, at 211 Main st., $200. Mr. Sanders was a man of medium height, heavy set; he had strong black chin-whiskers and heavy black mustache; he had on at the time dark clothes, and an Odd Fellow’s pin; also supposed to have had a gold open-face watch and chain. Any information can be left at 211 Main st., or 48 E. Fifth st. This includes all previous rewards. J. P. Strauss.”

“$600 Reward Will Be Paid For the recovery of Mayer Rice, to-wit: Bethel Lodge No. 4, I.O.B.B., $100; relatives, at the office of J. P. Strauss & Bro., 211 Main st., $500. Mayer Rice was lost by the explosion of the ill-fated steamer Magnolia. He was a man of about 5 feet 8 inches in height, and had on dark-colored ribbed cassimere pants and vest. He wore a gold watch, with hair braided chain, and an Odd Fellow’s pin; also, gold ring on little finger of right hand. Had red hair and red side-whiskers. Any information can be left at 211 Main st., or 49 E. Fifth st. This includes all previous rewards. J. P. Strauss.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Rewards.” 3-24-1868, p.8, c.5.)

March 25: “A Liberal Reward Will Be Given By The Undersigned for the body of my son, Rev. Frank W. Stone, of Maysville, Ky., who was lost off the steamer Magnolia, which blew up above Cincinnati. My son had a prominent scar on his left thumb, caused by a cut. He is a tall, spare man, and is supposed to have had on a galvanized detached lever watch, with a ship carved in the center of the back. If found, I desire him properly placed in a decent coffin and box, and a telegraphic dispatch sent me. I will pay all expenses. Jas. E. Stone. Hawesville, Ky., March 21, 1868.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Rewards.” 3-25-1868, p. 8, col. 5.)

March 28: “Died….Clark – on Friday March 27, 1868, at 7¼ o’clock P.M., of injuries received by the explosion of the ill-fated steamer Magnolia, Henry C. Clark, aged 36 years.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Died.” 3-28-1868, p. 5, col. 4.)

April 3: “In the case of Henry Clarke, the messenger of the Adams Express Company, who died from injuries received by the explosion of the steamer Magnolia, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death from the effects of wounds received at the time of the explosion of the steamer Magnolia. The jury have delayed returning a verdict for several days, to obtain testimony in relation to the cause of the accident, and after examining several witnesses, they were unable to obtain any further evidence than that which has been already published. This closes the inquests in the Magnolia case.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “Coroner’s Verdict.” 4-3-1868, p. 10, col. 1.)

April 14: “$200 Reward For The Body Of P. K. Bronson, lost by the explosion of the steamboat Magnolia; weight 175 pounds, height 5 feet 8 inches, blue eyes, brown hair, bald on top of head, sandy whiskers, sprinkled with gray; had on a fine gold watch, and pockets full of papers and cards, with his name on. Information can be sent to Mrs. P. K. Bronson, East Avon, Livingston County, N.Y.” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. $200 Reward.” 4-14-1868, p. 5, col. 3.)

List of Fatalities Noted Above

1. Babbitt, H. Passenger Chilo, OH
2. Batty, Joseph Passenger Maysville, KY
3. Bradford, B. Passenger Ripley, OH
4. Bronson, P. K. Passenger East Avon, Livingston County, NY?
5. Brown, Jonathan F. Magnolia striker
6. Clarke, Henry C., 36. Passenger Cincinnati? Adams Express Co. messenger.
7. Clough (or Lluff), Alexander Magnolia fireman
8. Copeland, Mary Magnolia stewardess
9. Dougherty, James, about 35. Passenger Higginsport, OH.
10. Evans, O. N. Passenger Ripley, OH
11. Evans, W. (Bill) Magnolia bar-keeper
12. Fasbender, Leopold Passenger Cincinnati, OH.
13. French, Miss Arretta Passenger Dover, KY
14. Holmes, Mrs. Passenger Maysville, KY
15. Johnson, Green Magnolia fireman
16. McIlvain, Thomas K. Passenger Maysville, KY
17. McGraw, Joseph Passenger Chilo, OH
18. Miller, Perry Magnolia second mate
19. Murphy, D. H. Passenger Ripley, OH
20. Ochs, Myer Passenger Cincinnati, OH
21. Palmer, Thomas Magnolia fireman
22. Patton, Colonel D. Passenger Elizaville, KY
23. Prather, J. H. Magnolia Captain
24. Reese, P. W. Passenger Felicity, OH.
25. Rice, Mayer Passenger Cincinnati, OH.
26. Sanders, Isaac Passenger Cincinnati, OH.
27. Shorter, Stephen Magnolia cabin crew
28. Smith, William Magnolia porter
29. Stevens, Jas. Magnolia second mate
30. Stone, Reverend Frank W. Passenger Maysville, KY.
31. Townsend Magnolia crew
32. Turner, Fred Magnolia cabin boy
33. White, Alexander Magnolia cabin crew
34. William (boy) Magnolia cook
35. Unidentified man Deck-hand Unknown home; died in hospital Mar 20.

Sources

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Christian Advocate, St. Louis, MO. “A Turbine Wheel.” P. 5, col. 3. Accessed 9-30-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/st-louis-christian-advocate-apr-22-1868-p-5/

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