1866 — Jan 28, steamer Miami boiler explosion & fire, Ark. River, above Napoleon, AR– 40

— 40 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

–150-242 Cochran. Proceedings…[MS Val. Hist. Assoc. …1919-1920, Vol. X, Part II, p. 326.
— 225 New Albany Daily Ledger, IN. “Explosion of the Miami.” 2-3-1866, p. 2, col. 5.
–155-225 NYT. “Awful Explosion of the Miami,” Feb 6, 1866, p. 2.
— 225 Scientific American. “Record of Boiler Explosions,” Vol. 14, No. 9, 2-24-1866, p.128.
–150-200 Cincinnati Commercial. “Details of the Miami Explosion. 200 Lives…Lost.” 2-2-1866, 1.**
— 200 New Albany Daily Ledger, IN. “Explosion of the Miami.” 2-3-1866, p. 2, col. 5.
— 150 Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “Later From the Lost Steamers,” Feb 1, 1866, p. 1.
— 150 Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The News,” Feb 1, 1866, p. 2.
–125-150 Logansport Weekly Journal, IN. “Frightful River Disaster.” 2-10-1866, p. 1.
— 150 New Albany Daily Ledger, IN. “Explosion of the Miami.” 2-3-1866, p. 2, col. 5.
— <150 New York Times. “The Late Disasters.” 2-1-1866, p. 1. -- 150 Simonds. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 100. -- 150 Springer. “Principal marine disasters since 1831.” House Hearings, Safety of Life… 1935, 247. -- 130 Daily Milwaukee News, WI. “Steamboat Explosions,” Jan 31, 1866, p. 1. -- 130 Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Loss of the Miami,” Feb 2, 1866, p. 2. -- 125 New Orleans Daily Crescent. “Explosion of Steamer Miami.” 2-5-1866, p. 1, col. 4. -- 100 Daily Gazette, Little Rock. “Explosion of Steamer Miami.” 2-2-1866, p. 2., col. 2. -- >100 The Arkansas News, Little Rock. “Ashley Band to Play Again After Boat Disaster.”
— 40 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 285.
— 40 Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats (U.S.). Report of… 1866, p. 287.
— 40 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, 265.
— 40 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 685.
— 40 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]…1999, 321.

*Blanchard estimated death toll. Our attempt to develop a listing of those seemingly identified as a fatality, fatally wounded, or missing comes to thirty-three (see list at end of Narrative section). This does not include the reported deaths of a minimum of thirty soldiers, nor about a dozen crewmembers not noted in the list (providing that reports of twenty-five crewmember deaths is accurate). A number of reports indicate that considerably more than thirty soldiers died. Nor does the list take include reporting of fifty victims buried on the bank of the Arkansas at the scene of the disaster. If deaths of about thirty soldiers and about a dozen additional unnamed crew are included, we see a minimum of approximately seventy-five deaths. However, we have not seen any indication that the newspaper reports of these mass burials or military deaths are accurate.

We cite five professional sources (Berman, Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats, Lytle and Holdcamper, Nash, and Way) who note 40 deaths. We do not know how this number was derived or where it first came from. We suspect that the Board of Supervising Steamboat Inspectors was the first, and the other sources followed. While not infallible, this U.S. body is a generally reliable source in our experience.

The minimum number of deaths reported at the time was approximately 100, with estimates of 150, 200, and 250 being found more often than reports of 100 deaths. Our own attempt to put a listing of deaths together, however, does not support such numbers.

**Cincinnati Commercial: Notes that “Fifty bodies have been picked up and buried at the place of the disaster.” Adds: “Some of the wounded are now in the hospital at Helena, Arkansas, most of whom will die.”

Narrative Information

Cochran: “In mid-winter, 1866, the public was startled by reports of the destruction by fire of three large steamboats in close succession — the Miami, January 28, the Missouri, January 30, and the W. R. Carter, February 2. The fires were caused by boiler explosions at a time when most of the passengers and at least half the crews were sound asleep, and the loss of life was appalling. Reports varied, but the total was not far from 365 lives. The boilers on these boats, as well as those on the Sultana, were of the tubular type. Public opinion, as represented in the newspapers, was at first inclined to charge the officers and engineers of these boats with criminal carelessness; and popular opinion was confirmed in the case of the Miami by a finding of the local inspectors, that the engineers were to blame for proceeding on their voyage when they knew the boilers needed repairing and for permitting the steamboat to be listed in such a way as to make the water in the boilers fall below the upper tubes.” (Cochran. “Perils of River Navigation in the Sixties,” Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Assoc. …1919-1920, Vol. X, Part II, p. 326.)

Way: Miami. Sternwheel wood-hull packet, built in Cincinnati, OH, in 1863 at 175 tons, measuring 159×32. “She was about six miles above the mouth of the Arkansas River on Jan. 28, 1866, when she exploded boilers with many troops aboard said to have been troops aboard said to have been with the 13th U.S. Cavalry, Company B. Forty lives were lost. The accident happened about 7:00 p.m. ….” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys.]…1999, p. 321.)

Newspapers

Jan 30: “Memphis, Jan 30. – It is just reported here that the steamer Miami blew up and burned on Sunday last, six miles above the mouth of Arkansas river. One hundred and thirty lives were lost.” (Daily Milwaukee News, WI. “Steamboat Explosions,” Jan 31, 1866, p. 1.)

Jan 30: “Memphis, Tuesday, Jan. 30. – The steam4r Miami, which left this port on Saturday heavily loaded

Jan 30-31: “From the Cincinnati Commercial, Jan 31. We record another terrible disaster – the explosion of the stern-wheel steamer Miami, Capt. Levi, in Arkansas river, six miles above the mouth, while she was bound from Memphis to Little Rock, involving the loss of one hundred and thirty lives. — The Miami was built in Cincinnati, and in her third season. She was owned by her commander, Capt. Levi, and others, in Memphis, and valued at $35,000. In addition to the sad loss of life, the loss of her cargo will be very heavy.

“Memphis, January 30. – The steamer Miami, which left this port on Saturday night, heavily loaded with freight and crowded with passengers, in addition to ninety-one soldiers of Co. B, 3d United States Regulars, on the hurricane roof, exploded on Sunday night. – The accident occurred about seven miles above Napoleon, on the Arkansas river, at 7 o’clock in the evening, just as the passengers had taken supper. Consequently, both passengers and officers were assembled in conversation around the stove in the hall. The explosion was of such terrible force as to rend the cabin floor asunder, and let every living soul in the front part of the cabin down into the dreadful mass of fire and steam below. The boat took fire immediately….Capt. Levi immortalized himself by his daring and heroic deeds, coolly walking about trying to keep the people from jumping overboard, as the boat was fast drifting toward the north shore, where it touched a few moments after the disaster. But now, to those in the back part of the cabin, it was as bad as being in the middle of the river, as the boat was a vast flame in the middle, and all in the back part were compelled to perish in the flames or bury themselves in the raging flood below. Mr. Lusks’ wife and child, his sister-in-law, and a German lady just from her native land, were in the ladies’ cabin. The former three were lost and the latter saved….Over thirty of the soldiers were lost. Two had been tied up for disorderly conduct, and in the agonizing excitement of the trying ordeal, they were forgotten, and there left to burn to death. Two men were seen to blow out their brains with revolvers….

“….The total loss is calculated at from 125 to 150 souls. She had about fifty cabin passengers, beside the soldiers and the boat’s crew, summing the whole number up to 250 souls. General Ashley’s band, of Little Rock, were on board, three of whom were lost….” (Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Loss of the Miami,” Feb 2, 1866, p. 2.)

Jan 31: “Cincinnati, Jan. 31 – The steamer Miami had about two hundred and fifty passengers on board, among whom were ninety-one of company B, 12th U.S. cavalry. The accident occurred at seven o’clock in the evening, just after supper while the passengers were assembled in conversation around the stove in the hall. The explosion was of such force as to rend the cabin floor asunder and let every person in the front part of the cabin, down into the mass of fire and steam below. Great numbers lost their lives by jumping overboard. Total loss of life is supposed to be nearly one hundred and fifty.” (Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “Later From the Lost Steamers,” Feb 1, 1866, p. 1.)

Jan 31: “Memphis, January 31. The Mary Forsyth arrived here last night, with Captain E. A. Levy, of the Miami, and part of the crew on board. The number of lost swells to some 150 or 200 persons. Fifty bodies have been picked up and buried at the place of the disaster. Some of the wounded are now in the hospital at Helena, Arkansas, most of whom will die. An eye witness states that nine or ten skeletons of persons burned to death are to be seen near the boilers, on the deck.

“Mr. Wm. Loyd, the steward, is on the Forsyth, in a dying condition. The porter, a negro, was blown to atoms. The barber, colored, will not recover.

“The boat’s crew numbered thirty-two; only seven escaped alive. James Wolf and Jacob Rogufette, two cabin boys, are safe and in the city. Geo. Willinbert, second steward, was lost.

“It was impossible to learn the number and names of those lost, as the boat’s papers were destroyed by fire. The hull of the boat was suck at the place where she drifted, in the Arkansas River, after the explosion.

“Nearly all the soldiers on board were lost, instead of only thirty, as was at first reported.

“The horrible and heart-rending features of this calamity do not diminish upon diligent inquiry of other survivors, but on the contrary increases in an alarming and horrifying degree.” (Cincinnati Commercial. “Details of the Miami Explosion. 200 Lives Reported Lost.” 2-2-1866, p. 1.)

Jan 31: “Memphis, Jan. 31. To J. A. Henry: Dick Gaines was on the steamer Miami when she exploded, six miles above Napoleon. He was seen sitting by the stove a few minutes before the explosion. All that were sitting there are said to be killed or lost. One hundred and upwards killed and lost. Tommy Moore killed, four of Ashley’s Band killed. Boat burned. No ladies on board from Arkansas. H. A. Montgomery.” (Daily Gazette, Little Rock. “Explosion of Steamer Miami.” 2-2-1866, p. 2., col. 2.)

Feb 1: “Cairo, Thursday, Feb 1. Maj. J. E. Rankin furnishes the following particulars of the Miami disaster: The boat, commanded by Capt. Levy, left Memphis on Saturday night, loaded to her guards with freight, and carrying about fifty passengers in her cabin and one hundred on deck, one hundred men of Company E. of the Third United States Infantry and a mixed crew of fifty men.

“The boat reached Napoleon about sundown, without any symptom of mishap, and rounded from the Mississippi into the Arkansas River, well controlled by engineers and pilot, until about seven miles up from the confluence of the rivers, when the starboard boiler exploded. The cause of the explosion is unknown. The boat then caught fire and burned to the waters edge, carrying to an untimely and awful death 225 human beings….

“Only three or four cabin passengers are known to have escaped and perhaps fifty or sixty of those on deck, most of whom found their way to the north side of the river, and some twenty found their way to the south bank, in which the boat swung, and was tied up by Capt. Levy and two or three of his hands….

“The total number of persons on board was three hundred, two hundred of whom were lost. The band was playing when the explosion occurred….The lowest estimate of the loss of life puts the figures at 155, while the most of those who were in the boat think at least 200 were lost….” (NYT. “Awful Explosion of the Miami,” Feb 6, 1866, p. 2.)

Feb 1: “….The dreadful accident carried off the Lieutenant Commanding and all the non-commissioned officers…

“One or two cabin passengers, among them our informant, and chief clerk Mr. Sol. Franklin and Capt. Levy, who did all, under the circumstances, that men could do, escaped on tables and ladders.

“Major Rankin supplied Mrs. Lusk and her child with a door, in hopes of saving them, as they were but a short distance from shore; but alas! They, too, were taken away to meet husband and father, who was among the first killed by the explosion, as was Mr. Charles J. Johnson, another clerk, who was standing beside him in the office at the time.

“Only three or four cabin passengers are known to have escaped, and perhaps fifty or sixty of those on deck, most of whom found their way to the north side of the river, and some twenty found their way to the south bank, to which the boat swung, and was tied up by Capt. Levy and two or three of his hands.

“Amongst those who were saved, and who assert that they were precipitated into the boiler, is the barber, who was badly scalded and burned. He says that the floor seemed to part beneath him, and dropped him into the seething boiler, from which, by an almost superhuman rebound, he jumped, and, running through the flames, escaped to the shore.

“About an hour after the affair, the Henry Ames, commanded by Capt. Crawford, who had heard the explosion at Napoleon, hove in sight, and landing, took on board all the survivors, some of whom were landed at Napoleon, others at the mouth of White river, and the remainder were brought on to Memphis….

“Nine wounded were put off at Helena, and four dead were left on the wharf boat at Napoleon. Captain Levy, pilot Levy, the engineer, carpenter, barkeeper, barber, a passenger named Jacobs, and Jas. Wolf of the crew, are among those brought up by the Forsyth. The barber is fatally scalded. Mr. Wolf was badly burned on the arms while endeavoring to save Mrs. Lusk and child. Joseph Roquette and James Fitzgerald are saved. The porter was blown to atoms. George Meltenburg, 2d steward, was lost, also the berth maker, and five of the colored crew. Only thirty-two deck hands escaped; in all one hundred survive, but many of these are so badly injured by the inhalation of steam that they cannot recover. This is the case with the steward, William Hinch.

“….Forty soldiers were rescued.

“Mr. Wolf and others succeeded in saving about forty lives rowing about in a yawl. The total number of persons on board was three hundred, two hundred of whom were lost. The band was playing when the explosion occurred.

“Mrs. Lusk might have been saved had she not rushed through the flames and jumped overboard on the off side, as the boat was nearing the bank. About fifty dead were buried along the bank. One drowned man had $1,200 on his person. The officers and crew acted nobly. The cabin fell in just before the boat struck the bank.

“The First Engineer and First Mate are reported saved. Wm. J. Probst, of St. Louis was on board; he has not been heard from; supposed lost. D. H. Evans, of Memphis, is supposed to be lost. Chas. Johnson, first Clerk, lost….

“Two men, names not known, blew out their brains with pistols, preferring to die that way rather than burn to death.

“Wm. Lynch, Steward, was brought to Memphis on board the Forsyth. He was dying.

“George Wittenberg, second Steward, was killed.

“It is not known that a single soldier was saved. John P. Lusk, second clerk, lost. Five members of the band were lost. The only lady saved was a German just from Germany. Both pilots and the engineer and carpenter were saved. The lowest estimate of the loss of life puts the figures at 150, while the most of those who were in the boat think at least 200 were lost….” (New Albany Daily Ledger, IN. “Explosion of the Miami.” 2-3-1866, p. 2, col. 5.)

Feb 4: “{From the Memphis Bulletin, 4th.} The following is a synopsis of an examination of the Miami disaster, the official report of which came to hand too late for our yesterday morning’s issue. Mr. L. S. Warden and Martin Kelly, who are the boat inspectors for the port of Memphis, on last Saturday investigated the facts connected with the Miami explosion, which resulted in eliciting the facts that one of the boilers of the Miami had been patched without the knowledge of the inspectors, and that at thee time of the explosion was slightly leaking.

“The apology offered by the engineers for not informing the inspectors as to when and how the boiler was patched was, that they did not know where to find the inspectors. There was a ‘horse-shoe patch’ near the front end of the larboard boil4r at the time of inspection, which shortly after proved defective, at which time, about the 18th of December, another patch was put on over the horse-shoe patch, extending the length and breadth of a half sheet; the latter of which was customary with engineers not deemed of sufficient importance to report. The engineers were licensed and considered thoroughly competent in their profession. They both testified that they supposed the boilers sea-worth, and believed the explosion was caused by careening of the boat, which was proven to have occurred a short period previous to the explosion.

“After a hearing of all the facts, the board of inspectors deemed the engineers at fault and revoked their license. We do not know where they derived, nor how justly they exercised this power, but we have heard many experience steamboatmen remark disapprovingly not only of the neglect of engineers, but of merely instituting critical inquiries and making sensational exposures when disaster comes, while allowing other similar liberties unreproved where there is no disaster at hand. There was probably some degree of carelessness on the part of the engineers in question which must have been more the carelessness of omission than venture, which is equally as reprehensible in others as themselves, the only difference is, when they are brought before the bar of public opinion and ruined, others of less capacity and care go uncensured. Such is the justice and discrimination of this time-serving world. We see the result of carelessness in the one instance, let us endeavor to guard against those who would engineer public opinion as well as steamboats.” (Chicago Tribune, IL. “The Miami Explosion.” 2-8-1866, p. 2, col. 4.)

Feb 5: “The disasters on the rivers, following each other with alarming rapidity, must direct public attention, with fixed intensity, to the steamboat business, and the laws by which the confiding public have supposed it to be regulated. The owners and managers of steamboats, as well as the people in general, will, in consideration of the value of their own lives and property, give a more thorough consideration than has been customary to the strengthening of boats, both in their hulls and boilers, and the enforcement of legislation intended for their protection against defective workmanship and incompetent men.

“A steamboat, such as runs on our Western waters [e.g. MS and MO rivers], however is a frail thing, when we think of the mighty streams, full of bars and snags, they navigate, the enormous weight they carry, the immense power that drives them, often almost at railroad speed. It is only the best workmanship, the most competent and thorough inspection, and the most considerate management, that can give a reasonable assurance of safety.

“And when boats are knocked up in double-quick time, with cheap material, and sent on thousand-mile voyages, without sufficient inspection, and are handled without that sense of responsibility that should be present with those upon whose skill and care the lives of hundreds and the happiness of thousands is depending, they become an infernal machine, a tinder-box, driven by fire through floods, and carrying a horrible magazine of scalding steam. The recent accident6s on the Ohio, Arkansas and Mississippi, that have appalled the country, have been attended by peculiar circumstances, that demand the most critical investigation.

“In the case of the steamer Miami, that exploded on the Arkansas, it is proven that the engineers knew, when they left port, that her boilers were out of order, and their licenses have been revoked – a punishment that is manifestly inadequate. Men in such positions should be taught by examples that carelessness is a crime….” (Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “The Steamboat Massacres.” 2-5-1866, p. 4, col. 3.)

Feb 14: “Memphis, Feb. 14. Capt. Levy, of the ill-fated Miami, was placed under arrest, in accordance with an order from Little Rock, on a charge having been made to the effect that the boilers of the Miami were red hot at the time of the explosion. He was subsequently released on bonds of $20,000.” (Marshall Statesman, MI. “Late Southern News,” 2-21-1866, p. 2, col. 1.)

List of fatalities from sources above.

1. Evans, D. H., of Memphis; missing
2. Gaines, Richard, Jr., of Little Rock.
3. Grier, Dr. William P., Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army.
4. Johnson, Charles J. “another clerk” (first clerk?)
5. Loyd, William, steward “dying condition.”
6. Lusk, Mr.; Second Clerk
7. Lusk, Mrs.
8. Lusk, child of Mr. and Mrs. Lusk
9. Lusk sister-in-law
10. Lynch or Hinch, William; steward, “cannot recover”
11. Meltenburg, George; second steward
12. Moore, Thomas (“Tommy”); barkeeper
13. Probst, William J.; passenger from St. Louis; missing
14. Willinbert (or Wittenberg), George, second steward, lost
15. Unidentified Band member #1 of 3-5 Ashley band members
16. Unidentified Band member #2 of 3-5 Ashley band members
17. Unidentified Band member #3 of 3-5 Ashley band members
18. Unidentified body #1 of 4 left at Napoleon wharf boat
19. Unidentified body #2 of 4 left at Napoleon wharf boat
20. Unidentified body #3 of 4 left at Napoleon wharf boat
21. Unidentified body #4 of 4 left at Napoleon wharf boat
22. Unidentified crewmember (barber) “will not recover”
23. Unidentified crewmember (“berth maker”) lost
24. Unidentified crewmember (porter) blown to atoms.
25. Unidentified crewmember, colored, #1 of 5
26. Unidentified crewmember, colored, #2 of 5
27. Unidentified crewmember, colored, #3 of 5
28. Unidentified crewmember, colored, #4 of 5
29. Unidentified crewmember, colored, #5 of 5
30. Unidentified commanding Lieutenant
31. Unidentified non-commissioned officer 1 of >3 (all non-commissioned officers lost)
32. Unidentified non-commissioned officer 2 of >3 (all non-commissioned officers lost)
33. Unidentified non-commissioned officer 3 of >3 (all non-commissioned officers lost)

Over 30 soldiers killed
9-10 skeletons of burned persons reportedly seen near the boilers
25 crew killed
50 bodies reportedly buried on the bank of the river near the scene.

Sources

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

Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats (U.S.). Report of Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats. 10-24-1866. Report of Sixth Supervising District (Louisville), p. 287. In: Annual Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of The Finance for the Year 1866. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1866. p. 276. Accessed 9-18-2020 at: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title/annual-report-secretary-treasury-state-finances-194/report-secretary-treasury-state-finances-year-1866-5510/report-board-supervising-inspectors-steamboats-238234

Chicago Tribune, IL. “The Miami Explosion.” 2-8-1866, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-tribune-feb-08-1866-p-2/

Cincinnati Commercial. “Details of the Miami Explosion. 200 Lives Reported Lost.” 2-2-1866, p. 1. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-commercial-feb-02-1866-p-1/

Cincinnati Commercial, OH. “The Steamboat Massacres.” 2-5-1866, p. 4, col. 3. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-commercial-feb-05-1866-p-4/

Cochran. “Perils of River Navigation in the Sixties,” Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association for the Year 1919-1920 (Vol. X, Part II). Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Torch Press, 1921, pp. 318-333. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=NxkFAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Daily Gazette, Little Rock. “Explosion of Steamer Miami.” 2-2-1866, p. 2., col. 2. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/little-rock-daily-gazette-feb-02-1866-p-2/

Daily Milwaukee News, WI. “Steamboat Explosions,” Jan 31, 1866, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=119996810

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “Later From the Lost Steamers,” 2-1-1866, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=119996818

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The Loss of the Miami,” 2-2-1866, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=41019236

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, IN. “The News,” Feb 1, 1866, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=41019234

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Logansport Weekly Journal, IN. “Frightful River Disaster.” 2-10-1866, p. 1. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-weekly-journal-feb-10-1866-p-1/

Lytle, William M., compiler, from Official Merchant Marine Documents of the United States and Other Sources; Holdcamper, Forrest H. (Editor, and Introduction by). Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. “The Lytle List.” Mystic, CT: Steamship Historical Society of America (Publication No. 6), 1952. Accessed 8-16-2020 at:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015018039084&view=1up&seq=8&size=125

Marshall Statesman, MI. “Late Southern News,” Feb 21, 1866, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=120396337

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 Albany Daily Ledger, IN. “Explosion of the Miami.” 2-3-1866, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-daily-ledger-feb-03-1866-p-2/

New Albany Daily Commercial, IN. 2-7-1866, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-daily-tribune-feb-07-1866-p-2/

New Orleans Daily Crescent. “Explosion of Steamer Miami.” 2-5-1866, p. 1, col. 4. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-orleans-daily-crescent-feb-05-1866-p-1/

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Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. “Dr. William P. Grier.” 2-12-1866, p. 4, col. 2. Accessed 10-2-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-feb-12-1866-p-4/

Scientific American. “Record of Boiler Explosions,” V14, N9, 2-24-1866, 128. Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=FzdJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

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

Springer, Adele I. “Principal marine disasters since 1831.” In: 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=

The Arkansas News, Little Rock. “Ashley Band to Play Again After Boat Disaster.” At: http://www.oldstatehouse.com/educational_programs/classroom/arkansas_news.aspx?issue=12&page=8&detail=937

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 University Press, 1999.