1888 – Feb 27, steam ferry Julia boiler explosion/fire, Carquinez Strait, South Vallejo, CA–30

— 30 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

— 40 Philadelphia Record Almanac 1889. “General and Local Events, February, 1888,” p.92.
— ~40 Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “A Fearful Explosion,” Feb 28, 1888, p. 2, col. 2.
–30-40 Indian Journal, Eufaula, OK. “Disastrous Explosion,” March 1, 1888, p. 3, col. 1.
–30-40 Logansport Daily Journal, IN. “The Ferry-Boat Horror,” Feb 29, 1888, p. 4, col. 2.
–30-40 NYT. “A Ferryboat Blown Up. Between Thirty and Forty Lives…Lost.” 2-28-1888, p.1.
— ~36 Napa Weekly Journal, CA. “An Awful Disaster…Steamer Julia Blown Up…” 3-1-1888, p. 3.
–16 dead
–20 missing
— ~31 Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “Victims of the Explosion.” 2-29-1888, p. 1, c.3.
–17 bodies recovered
–12 missing
— 2 died of injuries day of publication.
— 30 Bowen, Jerry. “Julia destroyed the Vallejo waterfront.” 3-3-2002. Solanoarticles.com
— 30 Oakland Tribune. “Shipwreck One of Worst Since Janeiro’s Loss…” 8-30-1929, D3.
— >30 Sacramento Daily Record-Union. “Latest Developments…Vallejo Disaster.” 3-3-1888, 1.
— 30 Southern Pacific RR Co. in Apr 3 petition to U.S. District Court to limit its liability.
— 30 Supervising Inspector-Gen. of Steam-Vessels (U.S.). Annual Report…[FY] 1888. P. 11.
— 30 Twaintimes, 1888. “Steamboat Julia Explodes and Burns as She Docks.”
— 30 US Life-Saving Service. Annual Report…Ending FY June 30, 1888. 1889, p. 442.
— >29 Blanchard compilation of identified deaths listing.*
— 29 Los Angeles Herald. “A Doleful Day.” 3-1-1888, p. 5, col. 3. (Article dated Feb 29.)
— 29 Morning Press, Santa Barbara. “The Funeral…Victims…Julia’s Explosion…” 3-1-1888, p. 1.
–28-29 Sacramento Daily Record-Union. “The Vallejo Disaster. Recovery…Two More…” 3-6-1888, 2.
— 18 recovered bodies
–1 [another body was reported found in LA Herald, March 7, p. 1.]
–1 [body of Timothy Hurley recovered March 23 “floating along the waterfront.”
— 2 deaths from injuries
–1 [following this report, George Woods died from burn injuries on March 23.]
— 8-9 missing
— 25 Lebanon Express, OR. “Telegraphic.” 3-9-1888, p. 1, c. 3. (Outright and injury deaths.)
— 24 Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 2-29-1888, p. 1, col. 3.
— 23 Annual Statistician and Economist 1892. L. P. McCarty, 1892. Vol. 16, p. 55.
— 20 Evening Herald, Syracuse, NY. “Record of the Year,” Dec 31, 1888, p. 3.
— >16 Morning Oregonian, Portland. “The Vallejo Disaster,” March 3, 1888, p. 1, col. 6.
— >15 Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA. “The Vallejo Disaster,” March 8, 1888, p2.
— 7 Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Steamer Blown Up,” Feb 27, 1888, p. 1, col. 3.

* Blanchard estimated death toll. We choose to accept the estimates of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, as well as others, of thirty deaths. Our own attempt to compile a listing of named fatalities produces at least twenty-eight deaths, and possibly twenty-nine if two seemingly similar names are indeed two separate people.

It is possible that there were more than thirty deaths, as several sources note, but all such sources include a large number of supposedly missing persons, most of whom we have not been able to confirm (we have looked through over two hundred newspapers.) Additionally most of the reports noting the possibility of more than thirty deaths do so by noting a range of thirty to forty deaths. It was originally feared that upwards of forty people died, but we have not been able to substantiate.

* Blanchard compilation of named fatalities. Given the range of deaths reported in the sources cited here, we attempted to compile a listing of names of individuals noted in the press at the time as dead or missing [posted at the end of the Newspaper section below]. From this attempt we are of the opinion that there were at least twenty-eight or twenty- nine identified deaths (there is some possibility of double counting of Madison and Matthieson).

We have not included in this number five people identified as missing, but concerning whom we found no subsequent reporting.

Similarly we do not include three people whom we speculate are double listings due to the different spellings of names.

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.): “February 27, 1888. – The ferry-steamer Julia exploded her boiler at South Vallejo, Cal., whereby twenty-eight of her passengers and two of her crew were either killed or fatally injured. The cause of this disaster was supposed to be the use of petroleum fuel on said steamer.” (Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels…for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1888. 10-30-1888, p. 11.)

Newspapers

Feb 27: “South Vallejo, Cal., Feb 27.—The steamer Julia was blown up this morning and burned to the water’s edge. Over fifty persons were on board at the time and it is now known that seven were killed and many wounded. The Julia was a ferry steamer plying between Vallejo junction and South Vallejo.” (Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Steamer Blown Up,” Feb 27, 1888, p. 1, col. 3.)

Feb 27: “Vallejo, Feb. 27.—This morning there happened the most terrible fatality in the history of Vallejo. About ten minutes after six o’clock, just alter the whistle had blown to signalize the departure of the steamer Julia from the South Vallejo wharf on her first trip, and before she had got loose from her moorings, a terrible explosion occurred, racking the vessel through its whole extent and filling the air with thick volumes of smoke.

“The early trip takes all the workmen living on the Vallejo side to their work in various industries on the Contra Costa side; also those going to San Francisco, consequently a great many passengers were on board. The morning being cool, most of them had gathered about the warm smokestack in the lower cabin, and as the explosion came from the boiler these men were directly exposed to a terrible shock. Besides this, the petroleum used for fuel was scattered through the steamer, setting it on fire….

“The burning steamer set fire to the wharf, and for hours the flames held sway until the boat, was burned to the water’s edge. As far as can be learned, eight or ten are killed or missing, and many badly injured.

“WORST THAN AT FIRST REPORTED.

“The steamer blew up at 6:10 this morning, and the loss of life is very heavy. It is believed by many that fully forty people were killed, but nothing definite will be ascertained for several days. Those who are well informed say that there were sixty-seven people on board at the time of the accident, and only twenty-seven can be accounted for. The steamer used petroleum for fuel, and the dreadful disaster was due to the explosion of one of the petroleum vats. The steamer was just leaving her moorings at South Vallejo, where the explosion occurred, and a few minutes after she sank into the mud. The water now covers her upper deck, and all that can be seen of her is the flagstaffs. The wharf caught fire and it still burning, and the telegraph office is destroyed.

“When the news of the disaster reached North Vallejo the fire department turned out, but was unable to do anything towards saving the wharf. The Starr flouring mills were also threatened with destruction, but luckily escaped. There was no water to combat the fire, and as the tide was out at the time, the engines were unable to go to work. Over six hundred feet of wharf was destroyed before the fire was got under control.

“ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

“The steamer Julia left Georgia street wharf at six o’clock this morning, and touched at South Vallejo wharf about ten minutes later. There were nearly seventy people on board, when she left her mooring, and many of them were going to work across the strait in the lumber yards around Vallejo junction. Just as the deckhands were hauling in the lines there was a loud explosion and a sheet of flame shot high into the Air. Those who were on deck at the time were hurled overboard by the force of the explosion and several of them were killed outright by being struck by pieces of the debris, which were sent flying in all directions….The men on the wharf were anxious to aid, but there seemed to be but little for them to do, as most of the passengers were below decks at the time of the explosion, and were either killed outright or drowned when the water poured in on them. It had been customary for the passengers to go below decks in the morning, as it was cold and foggy, and this accounts for the fearful loss of life. The few who were on deck and were not rendered insensible by force of the shock, were quickly assisted ashore by men on the wharf.

“AN AGONIZING SCENE.

“To add to the intensity of the dreadfully agonizing scene, the large vats of petroleum stored on the wharf for replenishing the steamer tanks caught fire, and the flames spread rapidly towards the Starr flouring mills, situated at the end of the wharf. An alarm was sent to North Vallejo, and in a short time the fire companies were on hand, but they were unable to accomplish anything, as there was no water. Fifteen minutes after the explosion, about six hundred feet of the wharf, a freight depot and the telegraph office were burning. The firemen tried to get water from the edge of the wharf, but the tide was too far out and they could do nothing to save the property. When the tide came in they managed to get a supply.” (Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “A Fearful Explosion,” Feb 28, 1888, p. 2, col. 2.)

Feb 27: “ A Ferryboat Blown Up. Between Thirty and Forty Lives Known To Be Lost.”

“Vallejo, Cal., Feb. 27. — A disastrous explosion occurred this morning at South Vallejo, on the ferry steamer Julia, plying between South Vallejo and Vallejo station. The steamer was about to leave her moorings a few minutes after 6 o’clock, and had about 70 persons on board, many of whom were going across the strait [Carquinez] to work on the lumber yards on the other side…

“It is believed that between 30 and 40 lives were lost. Up to a late hour this afternoon 12 bodies had been recovered, two of which were burned beyond recognition. The names of the other 10 victims are as follows: [we break paragraph into separate lines for the victims]

Melvin Hodgkins,
Joseph Fragas,
William Saman,
Olef Nelson,
Alfred Madison,
Michael Branley,
John Brevick,
William Stark,
Edward Rule, and a
man named Higgins.

“The names of probably less than half of the passengers who were on the steamer at the time of the explosion are known, which makes it impossible to tell how many sunk with the wreck, but at least 15 who are known to have been on the steamer are still missing.

“Capt. Gedge of the Julia was severely injured, as was also Charles Heath, the pilot. Twelve others were also very severely injured.

“The record of the Julia is a bad one, and this is not the first terrible accident on the steamer. In September, 1866, the head of her boiler blew out, instantly killing nine of the crew and scalding the clerk and another officer of the boat so badly that they lingered alive for only a few days. The cause of the disaster to-day is not known, though it is generally believed that the explosion occurred in the boiler; but the impression also prevailed that the fire was in some way communicated to the petroleum tank and that the explosion occurred in that quarter. The steamer burned petroleum for fuel.

“Vallejo is 20 miles up the bay from San Francisco.” (New York Times. “A Ferryboat Blown Up. Between Thirty and Forty Lives Known To Be Lost.” 2-28-1888, p.1.)

Feb 28: “Vallejo, Cal., Feb. 28. – Yesterday morning at South Vallejo the ferry steamer Julia, plying between South Vallejo and Vallejo Station, was about to leave her moorings a few minutes after six o’clock, having about seventy persons on board, many of whom were going across the strait to work in the lumber yards on the other side, when just as the deck hands were hauling in the lines, there was a loud explosion and a sheet of flame shot into the air. Those who were on deck at the time were hurled overboard by the force of the explosion and several of them were killed outright by being struck by pieces of the debris, which were sent flying in all directions….

“The men on the wharf were anxious to aid, but there seemed to be but little for them to do as most of the passengers were below the deck at the time of the explosion and were either killed outright or drowned when the water poured in on them….

“To add to the intensity of the scene large vats of petroleum stored on the wharf caught fire and the flames spread rapidly. The fire companies were unable to accomplish anything, as there was no water, owing to the tide being out, and fifteen minutes after the explosion about 600 feet of the wharf, the freight depot and the telegraph offices were burning….

“Soon after the explosion occurred the steamer had burned to the water’s edge and sank to the bottom with a great number of victims buried under the debris in the cabin. It is believed that between thirty and forty lives were lost, and up to a late hour last evening ten bodies had been recovered, two of which were burned beyond recognition…..at least fifteen who are known to have been on the schooner are still missing….

“The cause of the disaster yesterday is not known, though it is generally believed that the explosion occurred in the boiler, but the impression also prevailed that fire was in some way communicated to the petroleum tank, and that the explosion occurred in that quarter. The steamer burned petroleum for fuel….” (Indian Journal, Eufaula, OK. “Disastrous Explosion,” 3-1-1888, p.3, c.1.)

Feb 29: “The Funeral. The Victims of the Julia’s Explosion Buried at Vallejo.”

“Vallejo, Feb. 29.—The funeral of seven of the victims of Monday’s explosion occurred to-day. The flags of the city are at half-mast and business places and schools are closed. A feeling of gloom seems to hang over the entire community. Church bells tolled throughout the day and funeral processions wended their way to the cemeteries. Those buried to-day were William Connolly, Michael Branlay, John Brandon, M. G. Hodgkins, Albert Matthieson, Joseph Fragas and T. C. Stark. Michael Lunney , who was injured in the explosion, died this morning. The total number of killed and missing is now placed at twenty-nine.

“One of the Julia’s bursted boilers was brought to the surface to-day and was viewed by a great number of people. One more body was recovered to-day, that of William Andrews, a lumberman. He left a wife and daughter. Two victims of the explosion died to-day, Michael Looney and Jeremiah Wind.” (The Morning Press, Santa Barbara, CA. “The Funeral. The Victims of the Julia’s Explosion Buried at Vallejo.” 3-1-1888, p. 1, col. 2.)

March 1: “Vallejo, Cal., March 1.—Eight of the men killed by the steamer Julia explosion Monday had wives and families, and five more were single….The list of unrecovered bodies is now thought to number eleven. It is supposed that, exclusive of the crew, there were fifty-two passengers on board, making sixty-three in all, and not a single one escaped without injuries more or less serious.

“No more bodies were recovered this morning. Fifteen had been recovered at a late hour last night. It is believed between fifteen and twenty more bodies will be found in the wreck when the steamer is raised.” (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA. “The Vallejo Disaster,” 3-8-1888, p. 2.)

March 1: “Vallejo, March 1,–The coroner’s jury investigating the causes of the explosion on the steamer Julia visited the wharf this afternoon and viewed the burst boiler, which has been recovered from the wreck. On their return Chief Engineer Kat [?unclear] U.S.N., was called and testified. He believed the boiler was ruptured by the front tube heads pulling out, throwing the whole pressure on the back tube, sheet and shell of the boiler, causing it to be burst at its weakest point.

“The tubes getting away from the tube heads was due to two causes, viz intense heat when the fires are lighted causes expansion, when the fire is shut off the reduction of the aperture causes contraction, and is apt to cause leakage. Then, if the tubes are put in with an expander when they leak it re-expands them. Repeated use of this makes the end of the tube thin. If one tube [bleeds?] the pressure it had been sustaining is put on the nearest tube. The fact that but six tubes are remaining in the front tube head shows that the others pulled out and are gone….” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “The Wreck of the Julia.” March 2, 1888, p. 1, col. 5.)

March 2: “Vallejo, March 2—It is now known that there were sixteen widows and forty orphans made by the explosion of the ferryboat Julia.” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “The Vallejo Disaster,” March 3, 1888, p. 1, col. 6.)

March 2: “Latest Developments in the Vallejo Disaster.”

“Death of Two More Victims – Fifteen Persons Are Still Missing.”

“Vallejo, March 2d. – Several more of the victims of the Julia explosion were buried to-day, and the general gloom that has hung over the town since the accident has only partially abated….The latest developments tend to confirm the worst fears regarding the large loss of life. It seems clear that the deaths will aggregate at least thirty. At 11 o’clock to-day sixteen bodies in all had been recovered and two of the injured men had died.

Bodies In The Wreck.

“The divers who went down among the wreckage on the sunken vessel saw several bodies there, but they were held so fast in the broken timbres that they cannot be released. The number of missing, at the lowest estimate, is fifteen.

“The wrecking steamer Whitelaw has been moored by the wreck since Monday, with a large force of men on board busily at work. Up to noon to-day, besides barious small portions of the wreck, they had brought to the surface and landed on the wharf the greater part of the two engines, fragments of the exploded boiler and one of the large paddle-wheels. The plan is now to take out the other paddle-wheel, and then the wreck, being lightened, will undoubtedly float, and the bodies confined may easily be taken away…..

“According to the most reliable information that may be obtained, there were forty-six passengers on the Julia when the explosion occurred, besides nine men employed on her. Of the forty-six, eleven came aboard at Vallejo and thirty-five at South Vallejo [there were also wharf stevedores killed and injured]…..

Two More Bodies Recovered.

“Vallejo, March 2d. – The body of John Papovich, a fisherman, aged thirty, unmarried, was recovered from the wreck this morning. He had been working at Selby’s Smelting Works. This makes eighteen bodies recovered.

“Later – The body of King Clark, the Porter of the steamer Julia, was found this afternoon….” (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. “Latest Developments in the Vallejo Disaster.” 3-3-1888, p. 1.)

March 5: “The Julia Disaster.”

“Another of the Victims Brought to the Surface.”

“Vallejo, March 5. – The body of Michael Dolan, one of the victims of the explosion, was found yesterday with many bones broken. The railroad authorities have permission to use the Mare Island sectional docks, and it is thought that the Julia will be put on tomorrow, the main object being to clean the mud out and secure the bodies therein. Several pieces from the exploded boilers were cut out for testing today. The result is not yet known.” (Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 3-6-1888, p. 3, col. 2.)

March 7: “The Julia Disaster.”

“Funds Needed for the Families of the Victims.”

“Vallejo, March 7. – The idea of docking the hull of the steamer Julia has been given up. This evening it was towed to a point below Starr’s flouring mill to be beached at high tide. The body of another victim, burned and mutilated beyond recognition was found in the mud at the place of the explosion yesterday afternoon. This leaves six bodies yet to be recovered. The Board of City Trustees is taking steps to have the condition of the widows and orphans made know to the charitable people of the State. An entertainment for the benefit of the distresses will be given in this city…” (Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 3-8-1888, p. 1, col. 3.)

March 29: “The Julia Disaster. Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury on the Cause of the Explosion.”

“South Vallejo, March 29th.— Following is the verdict of the Coroner’s jury into the cause of the Julia disaster:

‘We, the undersigned jurors, impaneled to investigate the causes which led to the death of the following named persons, Michael Branley, age 37; Michael Higgins, 38; Albert Madison, 43; Joseph Fratas, 45; B. Lamar, 27: M. G. Hodgkins, 36; Edward Rule, 20 ; John Breverick, 33; Theodore Stark, 40; John Brandon, 38; Olof Nelson. 23; William Connelly, 45; Timothy Kane, 37; James Rule, 33, William Andrew, 47; John Papavich, 31, King Clark, 30; E. M. McDonald, 68; Michael Dolan, 45; Henry Peterson, 35, and Timothy Hurley, 40, respectfully submit the following as our verdict:

‘We find that they came to their death on the morning of the 27th day of February, 1838, caused by an explosion of the boilers on board of the steam ferryboat Julia, while lying at her berth in South Vallejo. We believe that the cause of the explosion was: First, that the boiler was not sufficiently strong to carry one hundred and ten pounds of steam per square inch of surface. We believe that boilers intended for the use of fluid fuel should be differently constructed and of a different type to those used on board of the Julia. We further believe that, while we are not prepared to say that the use of fluid for fuel was the primary cause of the explosion, we do believe that it added largely to the loss of life after the explosion had occurred, by instantaneously enveloping the whole of the central or midship part of the boat in flames, thereby preventing the escape of those who were unfortunate enough to be in that part of the boat, or allowing of any effort from the outside to save them from death.

‘We believe that those who were responsible for the employment of the fireman employed did not use proper care in the selection of one to fire with liquid fuel; for we believe that the one who was on duty at the time of the explosion was not fully qualified for the position.

‘We further believe that the United States Local Inspector of Boilers was careless and negligent in the discharge of his duties in not making himself familiar with the thickness and quality of the iron from which the boilers of the Julia were constructed. We condemn the habit of giving a certificate of thickness of metal greater than it really is. We need go no further than his own testimony, given before this jury on Wednesday evening, March 21st. when, in answer to a question from a juror, he stated that had he known the real thickness of the iron in the boilers he would not have given a certificate allowing a pressure of 110 pounds per square inch. We further believe that petroleum is a dangerous compound when used as a liquid fuel, and we believe that its use should be prohibited by law on all steam passenger or ferryboats.

[signed] Thomas W. Hackett, Foreman ; William Torney, Secretary; F. Deininger, M. Carroll, William Halford, J. Q. Gazelle, George J. Campbell, D. G. Barnes, A. D. Stockford, A. W. Starr, H. A. Wells, Edward Perry, Thomas Kiernan, Conrad Solano.’”

(Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Julia Disaster.” 3-30-1888, p. 5, col. 4.)

Julia Boiler Explosion and Fire Fatalities, as Noted by Sources Cited Herein:

Alexander, R.C.; reported as missing or killed. (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. 2-28-1888, p.1.)
1. Andrews, William, 47, lumberman; died on Feb 27; also reported as William Anderson.
2. Ashley, Frederick. First listed as missing, and then “among the killed.”
3. Branley, Michael, 37; died on Feb 27; lumberyard laborer; “burned beyond recognition.”
4. Brandon, John, 38; died on Feb 27; a laborer.
5. Breverick (or Brevick or Braverick or Braveric ), John, 33; died Feb 27; lumberyard worker.
Cain, Timothy (see Kane).
6. Clark, King, 30; died on Feb 27; porter on the Julia.
Champion, John; reported missing. Sacramento…Record Union. “Vallejo’s Day…” 3-1-1888, p.4.
Compton, John; reported as missing. (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. 2-28-1888, p.1.)
7. Connolly, William, 45 (or 52); died on Feb 27; laborer, leaving wife and two children.
8. Dolan, Michael, 45; died on Feb 27; body recovered March 4.
9. Fratus (or Fragas or Tracas ), Joseph, 45 or 50 ; died on Feb 27. Assistant Julia pilot.
Hamer, W. (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. “Latest Concerning…Victims.” 2-28-1888, p1.)
10. Harley (or Hurley), Tim (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. 2-28-1888, p.1.) Body found Mar 23.
11. Higgins, Michael, 38; died on Feb 27; worked at smelting works; left wife, 2 children.
12. Hodgkins, Melvin G., 26; died on Feb 27; was a clerk for the Port Costa Lumber Co.
13. Hurley, Timothy, 40; died on Feb 27.
James, Albert; missing as of Feb 29. Sacramento…Record Union. “Vallejo’s Day…” 3-1-1888, p.4.
14. Kane, Timothy, 37; died on Feb 27.
15. Lamar (or Lemare or Walter Lemore ), B., 27; died on Feb 27; shipping clerk.
16. Lunney (or Looney), Michael (died Feb 29 from injuries)
17. Madison, Alfred (or Albert or Peter?), 38; died on Feb 27; a stevedore?
18. Matthieson, Albert (could be misspelling of Madison, and thus double counting); 43.
19. McDonald, E. M., 68; died on Feb 27.
20. McDowell, James; first listed as missing, and then “among the killed.”
21. Nelson (or Oleson or Nielson ), Olef (Olof?), 23 (or 28 ); died Feb 27; fisherman.
Oliver, William (Sacramento…Record-Union, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 2-29-1888, 1.)
22. Olives (or Olwas), Manuel, section hand, “taken off alive…died from his injuries.”
23. Papavich (or Papovich) , John, 31 (or 30 ); died on Feb 27.
24. Peterson, Henry, 35; died on Feb 27; fireman on the Julia.
25. Rule, Edward, 20; died on Feb 27; apprentice molder, single.
26. Rule, James, 33; died on Feb 27; body found with grappling-hooks March 1.
Saman, William. [?] Have not seen subsequent reporting confirming this death.
27. Stark, William (or Theodore C.), 40; died on Feb 27; machinist, 44, married.
Williams, Joseph; reported as missing. (Sacramento Daily Record-Union. “2-28-1888, p.1.)
28. Wind, Jeremiah (or Jerry Wynn ); died Feb 29 from injuries. A millhand.
29. Woods, George. Died from steam-burn injuries March 23.

Sources

Annual Statistician and Economist 1892. San Francisco and New York: L. P. McCarty, 1892. Vol. 16. Google digitized. Accessed 9-7-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=ealXAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Bowen, Jerry. “Julia destroyed the Vallejo waterfront.” 3-3-2002. Solanoarticles.com. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: http://www.solanoarticles.com/history/pdf/pdf_files/julia_destroyed_the_vallejo_waterfront.pdf

Daily Alta California, San Francisco. “The Julia Disaster.” 3-30-1888, p. 5, col. 4. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18880330.2.72.1&e=——-en–20–1–txt-txIN——–1

Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA. “The Vallejo Disaster,” 3-8-1888, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=136808108

Evening Herald, Syracuse, NY. “Record of the Year – Principal Events That Have Occurred in the World,” 12-31-1888, 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=5137672

Fort Wayne Sentinel, IN. “Steamer Blown Up.” 2-27-1888, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=43597043

Indian Journal, Eufaula, OK. “Disastrous Explosion,” March 1, 1888, p. 3, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=159635211

Lebanon Express, OR. “Telegraphic.” 3-9-1888, p. 1, c. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-express-mar-09-1888-p-1/

Logansport Daily Journal, IN. “The Ferry-Boat Horror.” 2-29-1888, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=83055323

Los Angeles Herald, CA. “A Doleful Day.” 3-1-1888, p. 5, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-mar-01-1888-p-5/

Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA. “‘The Julia.’ The Southern Pacific seeks to Limit its Liability.” 4-4-1888, p. 1, c. 5. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-apr-04-1888-p-1/

Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 3-6-1888, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-mar-06-1888-p-3/

Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA. “The Julia Disaster. Funds Needed for the Families of the Victims.” 3-8-1888, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-mar-08-1888-p-1/

Los Angeles Daily Herald. “Vallejo Victims.” 3-24-1888, p. 5, col. 2. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-mar-24-1888-p-5/

Los Angeles Daily Herald, CA “Working on the Wreck. The Sunken Julia to be Soon Removed — Five Funerals.” 3-2-1888, p. 1. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/los-angeles-daily-herald-mar-02-1888-p-1/

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “The Vallejo Disaster.” 3-3-1888, p. 1, col. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19243684

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “The Wreck of the Julia.” 3-2-1888, p. 1, col. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=19243679

Napa Weekly Journal, CA. “An Awful Disaster. The Steamer Julia Blown Up, and a Large Number of People Lose Their Lives.” 3-1-1888, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://napavalleyregister.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=41766122&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjU2NjA5OTc3MiwiaWF0IjoxNjEyMTM4NzkzLCJleHAiOjE2MTIyMjUxOTN9.pil0hXaotrwW3tHCIHSqT0Wqlw3Cy8oznbm_IQS2YLE

New York Times. “A Ferryboat Blown Up. Between Thirty and Forty Lives Known To Be Lost.” 2-28-1888, p.1. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1888/02/28/archives/a-ferryboat-blown-up-between-thirty-and-forty-lives-known-to-be.html

Oakland Tribune, CA. “Shipwreck One of Worst Since Janeiro’s Loss, 1901.” 8-30-1929, D3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=105413307

Philadelphia Record Almanac 1889. “General and Local Events.” The Philadelphia Record, 1889. Digitized by Google. Accessed 9-5-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=wCoXAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=true

Reno Evening Gazette, NV. “A Fearful Explosion.” 2-28-1888, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1055933

Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “An Awful Calamity. Explosion of a Steamer at The Vallejo Wharf.” 2-28-1888, p.1. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-feb-28-1888-p-1/

Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “Latest Developments in the Vallejo Disaster.” 3-3-1888, p. 1. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-mar-03-1888-p-1/

Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “The Julia Disaster.” 2-29-1888, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-feb-29-1888-p-1/

Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “The Vallejo Disaster. Recovery of Two More Bodies from the Wreck of the Julia.” 3-6-1888, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-mar-06-1888-p-2/

Sacramento Daily Record Union, CA. “Vallejo’s Day of Sorrow.” 3-1-1888, p. 4. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-mar-01-1888-p-4/

Sacramento Daily Record-Union, CA. “Victims of the Explosion.” 2-29-1888, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sacramento-daily-record-union-feb-29-1888-p-1/

Spokane Falls Review, WA. “The Wrecked Ferry.” 3-1-1888, p. 1, col. 3. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/spokane-falls-review-mar-01-1888-p-1/

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels (U.S.). Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1888 (Treasury Department Document No. 1156, Steam-boat Inspection, dated 10-30-1888). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1888. Accessed 1-30-2021 at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu09189980&view=1up&seq=169&q1

The Morning Press, Santa Barbara, CA. “The Funeral. The Victims of the Julia’s Explosion Buried at Vallejo.” 3-1-1888, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 1-31-2021 at: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MP18880301.2.4&e=——-en–20–1–txt-txIN——–1

Twaintimes – A Time Line of Events in the Life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens – Mark Twain. Accessed 11-16-2008 at: http://twaintimes.net/page2.html [Link no longer operational.]

United States Life-Saving Service. Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1888 (Treasury Department Document No. 1228). Washington: GPO, 1889. Google Digitized. Accessed 1-30-2021 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=I3oDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=true