1851 — Sep 29, steamboat Brilliant boiler explosion, Miss. River, Bayou Goula, LA –27-100

–27-100 Blanchard.*

— 100 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 159.
–60-100 Cecil Whig, Elkton, MD. 10-4-1851, p. 3, col. 4.
— 100 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 682.
— >100 The Republic, Washington, DC. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion…” 10-2-1851, p. 3.
— 100 US Congress, House. Hearings… “Safety of Life and Property at Sea.” 1935, p. 246.
— >92 Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 221.
–>55 deckhands (25 “could be found after the accident” out of over 80 on board.)
— 22 cabin passengers believed drowned (25 had been seen in water after the explosion)
— 15 of 42 wounded taken to Plaquemine on the Natchez, who died within six hours.
— ? deck passengers (Capt. Hunt “could give no account…they were very numerous.)
— ? Fifteen badly wounded carried ashore in the yawl; their fate not known.
— ? Three badly wounded taken off by the Steamer Princess; their fate not known.
— * Blanchard: Lloyd notes “A majority of those wounded by this explosion did not recover.”
— 90 Childs. History of the U.S. In Chronological Order From…1492…to…1885. 1886, 134
— 90 Little. Cyclopedia of Classified Dates. “[US] 1851-1852…Miscellaneous.” 1900, p171.
— 90 Simonds. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 99.
— 47 Wikipedia. “Bayou Goula, Louisiana,” in caption to depiction of the Brilliant sinking.
— 43 (Crew killed) Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine, LA. “More about the Brilliant.” 10-4-1851, 2.
— 27 Hart, Capt. Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine. “Explosion of the Brilliant.” 10-18-1851, 1.
— 27 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the [MS Riv.]… 1999, 61.

*Blanchard. We do not see how to narrow this range. Captain Hart wrote a note published on Oct 18 that he could account for only twenty-seven deaths, and did not recall making statements indicating much larger life loss. We point to Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory which apparently based its estimate on statements Capt. Hart made at the time of the explosion. As to the reports of 100 fatalities, such as found in the 1935 Congressional Hearing on “Safety of Life and Property at Sea,” it is conceivable that this is based on other reports of one hundred deaths.

Narrative Information

Berman: “Brilliant…Sep 29, 1851; Exploded; Mississippi River. 100 Lives Lost.” (Berman 1972, p. 159.)

Childs: “Upwards of ninety persons lost their lives by a boiler explosion on the steamer Brilliant, on the Mississippi, near Bayou Goula.” (Childs 1886, 134)

Lloyd: “This accident, which caused a frightful loss of life, took place on the Mississippi river, at Bayou Goula, six miles below Plaquemine, on the 29th day of September, 1851. The Brilliant, Capt. Hart commander, left New Orleans two days before the accident, and was on her way to Bayou Sara, and the intermediate landings. She had stopped at Dr. Stone’s plantation, and was about recommencing her voyage, when her boiler bursted, making a total wreck of the main cabin and state-rooms as far aft as the ladies’ cabin, and sweeping away all the upper wood¬work forward of the boilers. The boiler itself was projected forward among a crowd of the boat’s crew and deck passengers, nearly all of whom were killed or wounded. The flues and parts of the machinery were thrown in the opposite direction, and made sad devastation among the cabin passengers.

“As usual in the narratives of western steamboat calamities, the names of only a small number of the victims are recorded. Capt. Hunt stated that he had more than eighty deck bands and firemen on board at the time of the explosion. Of these, only twenty-five could be found after the accident. He could give no account of the number of deck passen¬gers, but is certain that they were very numerous. There were thirty- five cabin passengers, ten of whom were ladies. Twenty-five of these were seen in the water after the explosion, three of whom were rescued by the steamer Natchez, and it is believed that the others all perished. The Natchez also conveyed to Plaquemine forty-two persons badly wounded who had been taken from the wreck. Of these, fifteen died within six hours. Fifteen others, badly wounded, were carried ashore in the yawl, and the steamer Princess took off three more in a similar condition. A majority of those wounded by this explosion did not recover….

The accident is ascribed to the imprudent use of rosin among the fuel, in order to produce a more intense heat, and so to increase the speed of the boat. A wounded fireman stated that four barrels of rosin were burned at the landing, and the fifth was about to be consumed when the explosion took place.” (Lloyd 1856, 220-221.)

Way: Sidewheel packet built in New Albany, IN in 1850 at 395 tons and 225 feet long. “….On Sept. 31, 1851 the second starboard boiler exploded at Dr. Stone’s plantation, above Bayou Goula and six miles below Plaquemine. It went forward and overboard with fragments thrown upward into the cabin. Forty-seven persons were killed or wounded, 27 of whom died. Of the four engineers, three died. There was extensive destruction of cabins, engines, and furniture. The Natchez and Mohican came to aid.” (Way, Frederick Jr. Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System… (Revised). 1999, p. 61.)

Newspaper

Sep 29, New-Orleans Crescent: “Our city was the scene of unusual excitement last evening, on account of a painful rumor that the steamer Brilliant, hence for Bayou Sara, with a large number of passengers, had exploded at some point near Bayou Goula, on her upward trip. What little particulars we could learn of this steamboat disaster are obtained from the officers of the steamboat Montgomery….

“The steamer Brilliant left her wharf…on Saturday evening, at 5 o’clock, for Bayou Sara, and had proceeded up the river as far as Bayou Goula yesterday morning, about eight o’clock, when she exploded her second starboard boiler, which carried away her main cabin and state-rooms as far aft as the ladies’ cabin, and everything forward of the boilers, making a complete wreck of the boat above the hull. Captain Hart stated that he had from 80 to 100 deck hands and firemen on board at the time the explosion took place. After the accident he could not find more than about 25. The number of passengers on board he could not ascertain, but thinks the loss of life must be very great.” (New-Orleans Crescent, Sept. 29, 1851; reprinted in New York Times October 9, 1851.)

Sep 29: “New Orleans, September 29. – The steamer Brilliant, Captain Hart, exploded her boiler near Bayou Goula, killing, as is supposed, over one hundred persons. The number of passengers and crew on board was very large. Full particulars have not reached us.” (The Republic, Washington, DC. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion – One Hundred Persons Killed.” 10-2-1851, p.3.)

Sep 30: “New Orleans, Sept. 30th. – The steamer Brilliant burst her boilers, a few miles above the city, on Saturday. From sixty to one hundred lives were lost. This is the second explosion of this same boat. Her machinery was all new.” (Cecil Whig, Elkton, MD. 10-4-1851, p. 3, col. 4.)

Oct 1: “Two of the wounded by the explosion of the steamer Brilliant died yesterday. This morning the steamer S. W. Downs brought seventeen of the wounded to this city. One died on the passage and others are in the hospital with little prospect of recovering. Four wounded men were left at Plaquemine in a dying condition.” (Daily Banner, Madison, IN. “New Orleans, Oct. 1, 8 p.m.” 10-2-1851, p. 2.)

Oct 4: “….By the arrival of the Princess No. 3…we have the following particulars. That on Sunday morning, between 8 and 9 o’clock, when after backing out from Dr. Stone’s plantation, about six miles below Plaquemine, and on the first revolution of her wheels, her second starboard boiler bursted… Among the masses on board the boiler went out forward, when the flues and iron work done its work aft. There were about thirty-five passengers, among them were eight or ten ladies. Twenty-five were seen in the water immediately after the explosion, of whom three were rescued by the Natchez No. 2.

“The Natchez carried up to Baton Rouge, three, of whom Mr. Levison, editor of the Baton Rouge Advocate, who was dangerously wounded; and to Bayou Sara, Mr. Cotton, first clerk, Mr. Cole, second clerk, and one other person not known, all badly wounded.

“There was varied ashore from the wreck fifteen persons. One had died, the balance badly wounded, who will be carried to the hospital.

“More about the Brilliant. – The wreck of this unfortunate steamboat, says the Picayune of Monday, was brought down to the city last evening with the freight on board at the time of the explosion, in a damaged state. Capt. Hart also arrived in the city yesterday. He states that only three of the cabin passengers were injured, and one of whom was Mr. Levison, editor of the Baton Rouge Advocate….Capt. Hart thinks that there [were?] forty-three of the crew, deck hands and firemen, killed by the explosion.

“The wreck was towed down by the steamer Cuba, Capt. Otis, and now lies on the opposite side of the river below Gretna….

“Simultaneously with the explosion of the Brilliant, the steamer Natchez, fortunately happened to be passing, and the humane officers of that very popular boat, rounded to, and rendered every manner assistance possible, to rescue and relieve as many of the unfortunate sufferers as she could. She landed at this place, and deposited thirty-three men, who were scalded and mangled in a most shocking manner – seventeen or eighteen of whom, we learn, have since died….” (Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine, LA. “Dreadful Catastrophe. Explosion of the Brilliant. Further Particulars.” 10-4-1851, p. 2, col. 2.)

Oct 7: “Baltimore, Tuesday, Oct. 7…The Southern mail has arrived….Fifteen out of forty-two wounded by the explosion of the steamer Brilliant, died at Plaquemines….” (New York Daily Times. “From the South…” 10-8-1851, p. 1, col. 6.)

Oct 18: “I left New Orleans on Saturday, September 29, 1851, at 5 o’clock P.M., with 38 cabin and 5 deck passengers, and a crew of abut 64 men, deck hands and firemen: and at the time of the accident I had on board 16 cabin passengers, 3 children and 3 servants in the cabin. This is according to the register. I proceeded safely on my voyage to Bayou Sara, until we reached the plantation of Dr. Stone, about six miles below Plaquemine, when we exploded our second starboard boiler, it being carried overboard and forward, fragments of it being thrown into the cabin, resulting, as near as I can ascertain, in the death and wounding of 47 persons, and causing great destruction to the cabin, engines and furniture. Out of the number I cannot make out, as having died, more than 27.

“All the passengers in the cabin that I know of as being wounded are Mr. Merwin of Woodville, and Mr. Hamilton of West Feliciana, and Mr. Levison of Baton Rouge. (The last named gentleman, I learn by the papers, has since died.) Among the wounded were the four engineers, (3 of whom have since died,) three clerks, (all out of danger,) the carpenter, one pilot, and the mate, the latter of whom was blown overboard.

“With regard to the charge of racing, I state positively I had not been racing with any boat, but had started at my usual hour and attended to my regular business on the route, and I refer to C. Adams, Jr., J. E. Caldwell, McCutcheon, Thompson of Claiborne Island and Dr. Knapp, who saw me all the evening, for a confirmation of this. Regarding the charge made, that at the landing we had used up 4 bbls. Rosin and were breaking up the 5th, I pronounce it false. Although not below decks at the time, I have reason to believe that there were but three barrels on board, and that they were there after the accident; and as further proof of this, I refer to Mr. Bier, who was told at the hospital by one of the wounded men who had seen the statement that it was false. I also refer to Mr. Relf, who was told by the engineer, before starting, that he had but three barrels on board; and when I state further, that we were at this landing only sufficient time to put out a barrel of ice, all will see the absurdity of the charge.

“It will be recollected that after the occurrence of our former accident, a new set of boilers were ordered immediately for the boat, of iron of extra thickness, and made of picked iron, and by one of the best mechanics in Cincinnati, and that in addition to the usual means of ascertaining the power of steam and water on and in thee boilers now used by boats, I had the steam barometer and water gauge put up. I felt I had taken every precaution in my power for the protection of life. My engineers were sober and industrious men, and had the reputation of good engineers.

“In conclusion, I have to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Stone, Col. Stewart and Mr. Clark Adams, for their attention to the wounded.

“I shall ever remember, with lively gratitude, the assistance and attention rendered by Capt. Dunlevin and Mr. Hendricks, of the steamer Natchez, as well as the officers of the Mohican, for offers of assistance.

“I see many statements, not true, as coming from me, which I have no recollection of having made.

“All papers publishing other statements, will please publish this card. Jesse Hart.” (Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine. “Explosion of the Brilliant. Statement of Captain Hart.” 10-18-1851, p. 1.)

Sources

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

Childs, Emery E. A History of the United States In Chronological Order From the Discovery of America in 1492 to the Year 1885. NY: Baker & Taylor, 1886. Google digitized. Accessed 9-4-2017: http://books.google.com/books?id=XLYbAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Cecil Whig, Elkton, MD. 10-4-1851, p. 3, col. 4. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elkton-cecil-whig-oct-04-1851-p-3/

Daily Banner, Madison, IN. “New Orleans, Oct. 1, 8 p.m.” 10-2-1851, p. 2. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-daily-banner-oct-02-1851-p-2/

Little, Charles E. Cyclopedia of Classified Dates With an Exhaustive Index. New York and London: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1900. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Cyclopedia_of_Classified_Dates/P7dCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=steamboat+brilliant+boiler+explosion+mississippi+river+bayou+goula+september+29+1851&pg=PA171&printsec=frontcover

Lloyd, James T. Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. Cincinnati, Ohio: James T. Lloyd & Co., 1856. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JlYqAAAAYAAJ

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

New-Orleans Crescent. “Steamboat Explosion – Destruction of the Brilliant – Great Loss of Life.” September 29, 1852; reprinted in the New York Times, October 9, 1852. Blurry version of the original accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-orleans-daily-crescent-sep-29-1851-p-2/

New York Daily Times. “From the South…” 10-8-1851, p. 1, col. 6. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-daily-times-oct-08-1851-p-1/

Simonds, W. E. (Editor). The American Date Book. Kama Publishing Co., 1902, 211 pages. Google digital preview accessed 9-8-2017 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JuiSjvd5owAC

Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine. “Explosion of the Brilliant. Statement of Captain Hart.” 10-18-1851, p. 1. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/southern-sentinel-oct-18-1851-p-1/

Southern Sentinel, Plaquemine, LA. “More about the Brilliant.” 10-4-1851, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/southern-sentinel-oct-04-1851-p-2/

The Republic, Washington, DC. “Explosion of the Steamer Brilliant, and Terrible Loss of Life.” 10-7-1851, p. 3. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-republic-oct-07-1851-p-3/

The Republic, Washington, DC. “Terrible Steamboat Explosion – One Hundred Persons Killed.” 10-2-1851, p. 3. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-republic-oct-02-1851-p-3/

United States Congress, House of Representatives. Hearings Before the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, United States Congress (74th Congress, 1st Session). “Safety of Life and Property at Sea.” Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1935. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_of_Life_and_Property_at_Sea/l9xH_9sUuVAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=belle%20zane

Way, Frederick Jr. (Author and Compiler), Joseph W. Rutter (contributor). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). Athens OH: Ohio Univ. Press, 1994-1999.

Wikipedia. “Bayou Goula, Louisiana.” 7-6-2020 edit. Accessed 8-11-2020 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou_Goula,_Louisiana