1851 – Sep 21, Steamboat James Jackson boilers explode, OH Riv. ~Shawneetown, IL-15-23

–15-23 Blanchard estimated range.*
— 14 names are mentioned as fatalities in the press.
–8-10 unnamed deaths. (Possibly including the 5 unrecognized bodies and 2 missing?)
— 3-4 wounded firemen died afterwards
— 2 carpenter and cabin boy missing and presumed dead.
— 5 unrecognized bodies found (could perhaps include the carpenter and cabin boy)
— 42 Warrwick Democrat, Newburgh, IN. “The Explosion…” 9-30-1851, 2. (killed & wounded)
–18-20 Interment.net. “James Jackson Steamboat Explosion. 35 persons dead and injured…” 2019.**
–16-18 Madison Daily Tribune, IN. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion!” Sep 23, 1851, p. 3.
–15-16 Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Explosion and Loss of Life” Sep 23, 1851, p. 2.
— 9-11 Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN. 9-25-1851, p. 2, col. 3. (nine dead and two missing)
–>9-10 Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Sufferers by the Explosion of the James Jackson.” 10-3-1851, 2.***

*Blanchard. We note fourteen named fatalities in the reporting at the time as well as a report that 3-4 firemen from the James Jackson died from their wounds, and that 5 unrecognized bodies were found. If this is all accurate then there would have been 22 or 23 deaths. This would not be surprising given the descriptions of the destructiveness of the explosion and the notations of many scalded and badly scalded survivors. However, it is possible that one or more of these reports was inaccurate. Thus we choose to use the number of fifteen deaths from the Madison Daily Banner of Sep 23 as the low end of an estimated death toll range.

*The names of eleven fatalities are given, then the notation of 8-10 unnamed “others.”

** The article does not purport to give a death toll. The number is ours based on notations on the disposition of one body, that five “unrecognized” bodies had been found ant that “Some three or four of the wounded firemen on the boat had died.”

Narrative Information

Interment.net: “At 9:00 AM [Sep 21, 1851], while leaving Shawneetown, IL, the steamboat James Jackson blew up, killing and injuring 35 persons aboard. It came at a time when steamboat explosions were reaching a peak across the country, mostly due to overworked boilers, poor maintenance, and tight schedules.

“John Hughes, engineer of the James Jackson, claimed that the water level was low, causing sand to get sucked up into the pumps, thereby preventing them from filling the boilers. With passengers complaining about the late departure, the captain opted to depart before filling the boilers completely. Hughes had ordered the boiler fire decreased to prevent the boilers from getting too hot. Hughes had left for breakfast. When he returned, he found the boiler fire increased. With boiler water getting too low, and heat increasing, the explosion occurred. A more detailed accounting of the cause was printed in the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), Saturday, October 18, 1851, page 1.

“List of Dead and Injured

“Names of dead and injured were published in newspapers across the country. This transcription came from Albany Evening Journal (Albany, NY), Wednesday, September 24, 1851, page 2.

“Names

John Francis, of Louisiana, badly wounded and scalded
Phillip Rance, of Louisiana, killed
Capt. Holmes, of Natchez, killed
John Gromar, of Vera Cruz, wounded and scalded
Emanuel Brown, of New Orleans, scalded
Sol. Warren, negro, of Louisville, killed
Isaac C. Green, of Texas, killed
Moses Embray, of Columbus, Ohio, wounded
Austin Johnston, of New Orleans, killed
Judge Judas, killed
____ Coleman, a negro, killed
Dr. W. Wood, of Georgetown, KY, killed
Mr. Fisk, scalded
Eliza Pitts, of Georgetown, scalded
Mr. Silvy, of Ark. slightly wounded
Andrew Southworth, of Louisville, slightly wounded
Mr. S. Kimball, of Albany, badly wounded
Mr. William Mitchell of Georgetown, KY, badly scalded
Mr. Craff, seriously hurt
Charles Aloney, of Louisville, badly scalded
James Larkins, of Louisville, slightly wounded
William Warren, late of Providence, slightly scalded
Isaac Goode, of Mississippi, received several contusions
W. Garrett and wife, slightly scalded
James McFadden, of Baton Rouge, badly scalded
S.C. Thomas, of Tennessee, had his leg broken
Arnold Lashley, of Kentucky, received slight injuries
Mr. Beuil, of Mississippi, slightly scalded
R.S. Rashley, of Mississippi, slightly scalded
Mary Imson, and child, of Chillicothe, Ohio, killed
P.K. Cochran, of New Orleans, slightly scalded
Daniel Marshall, of Illinois, badly scalded
D. Hood, of Mississippi, killed
J.J. Mitchell, of Mississippi, badly wounded
A.C. Kun, slightly hurt
Judge C. Morgan, of Louisiana, slightly scalded
Col Stewart, of Penn., seriously wounded
R.E. McChatton, of Miss, badly hurt
A.L. Laron, of Miss., badly wounded
C.C. Shackleford, slightly burnt
Mr. McEwen and Dr. Clien, the two pilots of the boat, were slightly wounded

“Some eight or ten others, whose names could not be ascertained, were killed.” (Interment.net. “James Jackson Steamboat Explosion. 35 persons dead and injured after leaving Shawneetown, Il, September 21, 1851.” 2019.)

Newspaper

Sep 22: “Evansville, Ia. Sept. 22, 8 p.m. The steamer James Jackson exploded yesterday [Sep 21] evening at Shawneetown. Thirty-five were killed and wounded. The Summit brought the news here. The following persons were among the sufferers: [We break paragraph into single lines.]

John Francis, of La., badly wounded and scalded;
Philip Rance, La.,…killed;
Capt. Holmes, Natchez, killed;
Capt. Walker, Ark, killed;
Jno. Gromer, Vera Cruz, wounded and scalded;
Emanuel Brown, N.O., scalded;
Sol. Warren, negro, Louisville, killed;
Isaac C. Greene, Texas, killed;
Moses Embray, Columbus, O., wounded;
Austin Johnson, N. O., do [wounded];
Juda Coleman, negro, do [wounded];
Dr. W. Hood, Georgetown, Ky., killed;
Mr. Fisk, Georgetown, scalded;
Eliza Pitts, Georgetown, scalded;
Silvey, Ark., do [scalded];
Andrew Southworth, Louisville, slightly wounded;
Sterry Kimball, Albany, do [wounded];
Wm. Mitchell, Georgetown, Ky., do [wounded];
James Craf, Miss., do [wounded];
Charles Alonay, Louisville, badly scalded;
James Sarkins, Louisville, do [scalded];
Wm. Warren, Lake Providence, do [scalded];
Isaac McCoocle, Miss., do [scalded];
O. M. Garret and wife, slightly scalded;
James McFaden, Baton Rouge, badly scalded;
S. C. Thomas, leg broken;
Arnold L. Assley, Ky., Bend Miss., slightly scalded;
R. S. Roshby, Miss., slightly scalded;
Mary Imson, Louisville, killed;
Child of Mary Imson, Louisville, killed;
P.K. Cockran, N.O., slightly scalded;
Daniel Marshall, Illinois, badly scalded;
D. Hood, Miss., dead;
Some eight or ten others have since died.

J. J. Michie, Miss., badly wounded;
Dr. A. C. Kuno, La., slightly hurt;
Judge C. Morgan, La., do [slightly hurt];
Col. N. Stewart, Penn., badly burnt;
R.E. McChatton, Miss., badly burnt;
A.L. Larn, Miss., do [badly burnt];
C. C. Shackleford, McEwing, and Dr. Kline, slightly burnt.

“The two pilots of the boat were slightly injured. The engineer in charge of the engines, immediately after the explosion, is reported to have jumped overboard, got ashore and took to the woods. A lady got on board at Shawneetown and was killed before getting out of sight of her home. The Cumberland Valley was but a short distance below the Jackson, at the time, and returned endeavoring to aid all in her power, and towed the wreck ashore. The Jackson was badly town to pieces from the fore to the after part of her cabin; her two boilers are smashed flat.” (Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Explosion and Loss of Life” Sep 23, 1851, p. 2.)

Sep 22: “Smithland, Sept. 22. The passengers on the Cumberland Valley charge the disaster of the James Jackson to the drunkenness of the first engineer and the inefficiency of the Captain. The passengers were nearly all on the front part of the boiler deck, which was the cause of the great loss of life.

“The Cumberland Valley passed down about half an hour since with a portion of the passengers of the James Jackson. The explosion took place at Raleigh bar.” (Madison Daily Banner, IN. 9-24-1851, p. 2.)

Sep 23: “Louisville, Sept. 23. – We regret to say many of those scalded by the explosion on the steamer of James Jackson have since died, while others continue in a critical position.” (Tri-Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. 10-1-1851, p. 1.)

Sep 25: “The steamer Summit arrived yesterday from Paducah. She brought up the pilots of the ill-fated steamer James Jackson, one of whom, James O’Neal, is so badly wounded that he is unable to walk. The chief Engineer was John Hughes, of this city. Mr. Wm. Stewart, one of the officers of the Summit, informs us that the carpenter, who was the father of the mate and resides in New Albany, and a cabin boy, were missing. The whole number of wounded is set down at 35 and of killed 9. Lou. Jour.” (Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN. 9-25-1851, p. 2, col. 3.) [Presumably the nine noted as dead did not include the two noted as missing.]

Sep 27: “The telegraphic dispatch, which we published on Tuesday, giving an account of the loss of life by the explosion of the steamer James Jackson, stated that the engineer, whose name is John Hughes, was drunk at the time of the accident, swam to shore, and took to the woods. The statement is contradicted by Thomas Little, pilot on the Jackson at the time of the explosion, who says, in a card published in the Louisville Courier, that Mr. Hughes was perfectly sober, and that, instead of swimming to shore, he remained upon the wreck for more than an hour after the disaster.” (Madison Daily Banner, IN. 9-27-1851, p. 2.)

Sep 30: “We have received the following additional particulars of the explosion of the Jas. Jackson (taken from the Shawneetown Argus, extra,) for which we are indebted to the Evansville Journal. The Jackson was crowded with passengers, and stopped at Shawneetown abut 8 o’clock A.M. She rounded out, and had just reached the power part of the town when the explosion occurred. There are known to be forty-two killed and wounded in all. The number missing we have not ascertained – neither have we at hand any additional names of the killed, scalded and wounded. We subjoin the whole of the Argus’ Extra:

We have no means of ascertaining the extent of the destruction of human life; but from the crowded condition of the passengers, and the few who have been saved from the dreadful wreck; the loss must have been immense.

The Steamer Cumberland Valley, was a short distance ahead of the James Jackson, when the disaster occurred; she immediately turned back, and tendered all the assistance in her power to the surviving sufferers. Too much praise cannot be awarded to her gentlemanly officers, and their gallant crew. Mr. Cockrell’s Horse Boat, was in prompt requisition and done good service in saving the sufferers, and in conveying them up to the wharf.

Our citizens of all classes, sexes and colors, were in immediate attendance, rendering every assistance in their power to ameliorate the dreadful condition of the sufferers. Mr. Hazen’s large Hotel was tendered gratuitously to the distressed and suffering – by its kind and hospitable proprietor – and is now crowded with the wounded and dying. Our physicians were all prompt and efficient in their attention to the wounded strangers. The shocking disaster could not have occurred at any place where the sufferers would have received more kind and efficient attention than has been bestowed upon them by our humane and hospitable citizens.

We learn that many of them have been taken to private houses and are receiving every possible attention. We witnessed some scenes of a particularly distressing nature – on old lady, Mrs. Green, sister to Mr. Ellis, hotel keeper of this place, and her little son who had been here on a visit, embarked aboard the ill-fated steamer a few moments before the disaster – to return to their distant home in Texas. The lady was instantly killed and her little son mortally wounded. A Mrs. Gemmen, from Louisville, was found dead with a small child in her arms, which had shared the same fate. But we cannot detail the horrid scenes. The cabin and machinery of the boat are a total wreck – the hull was towed ashore by the Cumberland Valley.

There is doubtless a great number of persons lost who will never be found until the waters give up their dead. A great many trunks containing papers, clothing, &c., have been taken from the wreck, and others rescued from the water; all are taken care of and are safe.

“The Argus says mothering of the engineer whom we reported last week as having made for the shore and disappeared after the occurrence of the accident. We made our statement on the authority of persons who witnessed the disaster, and therefore presume it to be correct. We have also since learned that the engineer’s name was Hughes, and that he was a perfect whisky bloat.” (Warrwick Democrat, Newburgh, IN. “The Explosion of the Jas. Jackson.” 9-30-1851, p. 2.)

Oct 3: “Mr. J. R. Smith of this city [Louisville] returned last night from Shawneetown; and we obtain from him some particulars in regard to those wounded by the explosion of the James Jackson. Mr. Smith left there on Friday, having in charge the body of Dr. Hood, of Deer creek, Mississippi, killed by the explosion. Dr. H. was brother-in-law of Mr. Sidney Smith of this city.

“Mr. J. McHatten, of Baton Rouge, was dangerously wounded. His condition is critical and he will probably not recover.

“Mr. Lashley, of Kentucky Bend, Mississippi, had been in a torpid state since the explosion, It is barely possible that he can survive.

“Mr. Robert McHatten, of Baton Rouge, Dr. Kline, of Vicksburg, and Mr. Coburn, of New Orleans, are seriously wounded. Dr. Kline has a hip dislocated or fractured and is severely scalded. Mr. Coburn is also severely scalded and has an arm fractured.

“Some three or four of the wounded firemen on the boat had died. Five bodies had been found, but they were not recognized.

“We may as well mention that John Hughes, the chief engineer on the James Jackson, is now in this city, at his residence. – Lou. Journal.” (Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Sufferers by the Explosion of the James Jackson.” 10-3-1851, p. 2.)

Oct 4: “Louisville, Oct. 4. – The trial and acquittal of Captain Paterson, of the steamer James Jackson, turns out to be an exporte affair. Mr. Marshall, the District Attorney, says the matter is to be properly and legally invested, and that the captain, from facts in his possession was certainly culpable.” (Tri-Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. 10-8-1851, p. 3, col. 5.)

Oct 6: “The steamboat James Jackson, bound from Louisville to Cairo, exploded her boilers, opposite Shawneetown, Ill., on Sunday the 21st ult., and the whole forward part became a total wreck. The loss of life and property was immense. It is not known how many lost their lives, as the books and papers of the boat were blown overboard; but more than fifty persons are known to have been killed and wounded. – There were some heart-rending scenes.” (Adams Sentinel and General Advertiser, Gettysburg, PA. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion.” 10-6-1851, p. 2.)

Oct 9: “From a passenger who landed here on Monday we learn the steamer James Jackson,, blew up about one mile below Shawneetown on Sunday morning last about 11 o’clock. She was crowded with passengers, some thirty or forty of whom were either killed or badly wounded. We have a partial list of the sufferers, most of whom were from Louisiana. All the officers of the boat escaped unharmed except the pilots, who were slightly wounded. The boilers wre torn to pieces and the boat is literally a wreck. The cause of the explosion is attributed to the force pump bing out of order and consequently unable to supply the boilers with a sufficiency of water – a fact made known by the engineer, to the captain, yet who, in despite of the imminent danger, ordered the boat to be pushed out from the wharf at Shawneetown. We learn that the boilers became red hot and that the engineer seeing an explosion inevitable hastily retired to the stern of the boat, not having even a sufficiency of time to give the alarm. As this horrible destruction of life is no doubt attributed to the stubbornness of the captain and the carelessness of the officers in charge of the boat, we are in hopes a thorough investigation into the matter may be made that those really guilty may be properly punished. – Mt. Vernon Advocate.” (Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis. “Explosion of the James Jackson.” 10-9-1851, p. 9.)

Oct 16: “The Louisville Courier contains a communication from the engineer of the unfortunate steamer James Jackson, which exploded at Shawneetown a few days ago. He attributes the explosion to the kindling up of the fires, whilst he was at breakfast, the pumps being out of order. He does not know by whose orders the fires were kindled. The whole explanation exhibits the grossest negligence on the part of the officers of the boat.” (Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. 10-16-1851, p. 5, col. 3.)

Sources

Adams Sentinel and General Advertiser, Gettysburg, PA. “Dreadful Steamboat Explosion.” 10-6-1851, p. 2. Accessed 89-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gettysburg-adams-sentinel-oct-06-1851-p-2/

Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. 10-16-1851, p. 5, col. 3. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-oct-16-1851-p-5/

Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN. 9-25-1851, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-daily-ledger-sep-25-1851-p-2/

Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis. “Explosion of the James Jackson.” 10-9-1851, p. 9. Accessed 8-12-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/indianapolis-indiana-state-sentinel-oct-09-1851-p-9/

Interment.net. “James Jackson Steamboat Explosion. 35 persons dead and injured after leaving Shawneetown, Il, September 21, 1851.” 2019. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: http://www.interment.net/data/ships/james-jackson-steamboat-explosion.htm

Madison Daily Banner, IN. 9-24-1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-sep-24-1851-p-2/

Madison Daily Banner, IN. 9-27-1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-sep-27-1851-p-2/

Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Explosion and Loss of Life” Sep 23, 1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-sep-2/

Madison Daily Banner, IN. “Sufferers by the Explosion of the James Jackson.” 10-3-1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-oct-03-1851-p-2/

Madison Daily Tribune, IN. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion!” Sep 23, 1851, p. 3. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-tribune-sep-23-1851-p-3/

Tri-Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. 10-1-1851, p. 1, col. 5. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/augusta-tri-weekly-chronicle-and-sentinel-oct-01-1851-p-1/

Tri-Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. 10-8-1851, p. 3, col. 5. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/augusta-tri-weekly-chronicle-and-sentinel-oct-08-1851-p-3/

Warrwick Democrat, Newburgh, IN. “The Explosion of the Jas. Jackson.” 9-30-1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newburgh-warrick-democrat-sep-2/