lornajarrettblanchard

–30,000 Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com. Accessed 3-28-2021.
–10,000 Burns. Mercy Street. “Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures.” PBS. (Union only?)
–10,000 Kakkilaya. Malaria Site. “Malaria in Wars and Victims.” 6-7-2016 update. (Union only?)
–10,000 Union army. Steiner. Disease in the Civil War. 1968; cited in Miller, 1997, “Historical…”

Narrative Information

Burns: “Before war in the twentieth century, disease was the number one killer of combatants. Of the 620,000 recorded military deaths in the Civil War about two-thirds died from disease. However, recent studies show the number of deaths was probably closer to 750,000. Crowded conditions, poor hygiene, absence of sanitary disposal of garbage and human waste, inadequate diets, and no specific disease treatments was a formula for disaster….

“The second most common disease was malaria with over 1.3 million cases and more than 10,000 deaths.” (Burns. Mercy Street. “Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures.” PBS.)

Kakkilaya: “During the American civil war in 1861-1865, malaria accounted for 1,316,000 episodes of illness and 10,000 deaths. It has been estimated that 50% of the white soldiers and 80% of the black soldiers got malaria annually. (Kakkilaya. Malaria Site. “Malaria in Wars and Victims.” 6-7-2016 update.)

Stover: “Civil War Diseases: Malaria

“Malaria was also prevalent during the war killing roughly 30,000 soldiers. This number is high but considering around 3 million people contracted the disease it was not often fatal. This was due in large part to the readily available supply of quinine, which was used to successfully prevent and treat the disease. The biggest thing that all of these Civil War diseases had in common was that nobody had any idea how to cure them. With the exception of Malaria.” (Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com. Accessed 3-28-2021.)

Sources

Burns, Stanley B. MD. Mercy Street. “Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures.” PBS. Accessed 3-27-2021 at: http://www.pbs.org/mercy-street/uncover-history/behind-lens/disease/

Kakkilaya, Bevinje Srinivas, MD. Malaria Site. “Malaria in Wars and Victims.” 6-7-2016 update. Accessed 3-28-2021 at: https://www.malariasite.com/wars-victims/

Miller, Gary L. Reprinted from “Historical Natural History: Insects and the Civil War.” American Entomologist, Vol. 43, pp. 227-245. Montana State University website accessed 3-28-2021 at: https://www.montana.edu/historybug/civilwar2/gallnippers.html

Steiner, P. E. Disease in the Civil War. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1968.

Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com. Accessed 3-28-2021 at: https://www.civilwaracademy.com/civil-war-diseases

Additional Reading

Barnes, Joseph K. (Surgeon General, United States Army). The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion (1861-65). Part I, Volume. I, Medical History. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1870. Accessed 3-27-2021 at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-14121350RX1-mvpart#page/4/mode/2up

–11,000 NPS. Shiloh National Military Park. “Measles Epidemic Kills Thousands.” Facebook, 2-11-2015.
–11,000 Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com. Accessed 3-30-2021.
— 5,177 Burns. Mercy Street. “Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures.” PBS. (Union only?)

Narrative Information

Shiloh National Military Park. “Measles Epidemic Kills Thousands.

“Measles killed around 11,000 soldiers during the Civil War, not as many as dysentery and diarrhea but a sizable number. With so many people gathered in such small areas this disease was able to spread rapidly. About 1 in 20 people who got this disease died. Men from rural areas were especially vulnerable, lacking immunity to the childhood diseases to which their urban counterparts had been exposed. Before the Union 17th Kentucky, left camp at Calhoun, Kentucky where they enrolled, an outbreak of measles “raged through the camp like some attacking army.” According to the unit’s historian, more than 20 men died in those first few months, before they even faced combat at Shiloh. They would lose more men to measles than they would in the battle.

“In the winter of 1861 newly recruited soldiers suffered heavy losses from measles and other diseases. Near Bowling Green, Kentucky, starting in September 1861, the 1st Mississippi and 3rd Mississippi Infantry lost 104 men to measles alone over the next three months. They were among the over 300 Confederate Soldiers who died of measles, typhoid fever, pneumonia and other diseases at Camp Alcorn in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The 12th Iowa, most of whose men were wounded, killed, or captured at Shiloh, had already suffered from measles and other diseases in St. Louis. The 12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry was organized in Dubuque in October and November 1861, left Iowa late in November 1861, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, for two months. Like its predecessors at the Barracks, the 12th suffered greatly there from diseases. Seventy-five members of the regiment died of measles, pneumonia or typhoid contracted there. At Camp Nelson, Arkansas, during the fall of 1862 an epidemic of measles and typhoid fever ran rampant through the troops there.

“Approximately 1,500 Arkansas and Texas soldiers died of disease during a two-month period and were buried in unmarked graves in the surrounding hills. During the winter of 1861-62 the Confederates had suffered through a severe measles epidemic at Fort Donelson, weakening their garrison. After General Grant’s troops captured the Fort they burned the Confederate winter quarters to remove possible contagion.

“Recommended treatment for measles in this and every other fever was to keep the patient confined to bed. ‘The horizontal position does much to quiet the action of the heart, and equalize the circulation of the blood, while complete exemption from muscular exertion places the constitution in a favorable position to contend with the disease. A uniform temperature, suited to the nature of the case, can only be ensured in bed; and, in measles especially, to avoid chilling draughts is necessary.’ These conditions were often impossible in densely populated camps where the soldiers were often in poorly heated tents or huts. ‘On account of the weakness of the eyes, the room should be kept darkened; and, owing to the irritability of the air-tubes, currents of cold air must be guarded against; because weakness of eyes, hoarseness, or loss of voice, remaining after convalescence, is almost certain to be permanent for life. The popular idea is that persons when sick require to eat to be able to bear the disease, but this impression is very erroneous; for while fever is in the system, the power of digesting food is held in abeyance, and, consequently, solid food taken into the stomach must aggravate the disease, and increase the weakness of the sufferer. It is only by fluids such as can be absorbed without being digested.’ These treatments helped marginally but often the disease simply ran its course unless complications such as pneumonia set in resulting in death.

“So many died from a combination of measles and exposure that commanders frequently refused to accept men for active duty until they had been “put through the measles,” Measles continued to be a common and highly contagious disease. Between 1855 and 2005 measles has been estimated to have killed about 200 million people worldwide. Not until the 1960’s did a vaccine become available to prevent the disease, and those who have not been inoculated are still subject to infection commonly resulting in complications or in some cases death.”

Stover: “Civil War Diseases: Measles

“Measles killed a lot of people during the Civil War around 11,000 soldiers in total. Not as many as other diseases did but it had its fair share. With so many people gathered in such small areas this disease was able to spread rapidly. About 1 in 20 people who got this disease died as a result of it.” (Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com.)

Sources

Burns, Stanley B. MD. Mercy Street. “Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures.” PBS. Accessed 3-27-2021 at: http://www.pbs.org/mercy-street/uncover-history/behind-lens/disease/

Shiloh National Military Park. “Measles Epidemic Kills Thousands.” Facebook, 2-11-2015. Accessed 3-30-2021 at: https://www.facebook.com/ShilohNMP/posts/measles-epidemic-kills-thousands-measles-killed-around-11000-soldiers-during-the/771426619613993/

Stover, Ken. “Civil War Diseases. CivilWarAcademy.com. Accessed 3-29-2021 at: https://www.civilwaracademy.com/civil-war-diseases

United States National Park Service, Shiloh National Military Park. “Measles Epidemic Kills Thousands.” 2-11-2015 Facebook post. Accessed 3-30-2021 at: https://www.facebook.com/ShilohNMP/posts/measles-epidemic-kills-thousands-measles-killed-around-11000-soldiers-during-the/771426619613993/

Additional Reading

Barnes, Joseph K. (Surgeon General, United States Army). The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion (1861-65). Part I, Volume. I, Medical History. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1870. Accessed 3-27-2021 at: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-14121350RX1-mvpart#page/4/mode/2up

Blanchard note: We have found but one source on this event — Way (Gaines cites Way). Are always uncomfortable with single sources. It is conceivable that this means that Way was incorrect in his information.

–15 Gaines, W. Craig. Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks. 2008, p. 62.
–15 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats… 1999, p. 111.

Narrative Information

Gaines: “Corrine. U.S. Side-wheel steamer, 83 tons. Exploded and was lost, with fifteen killed, on February 28, 1861, at McDonoughville. (WPD, 111.)” (Gaines. Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks. 2008, p. 62.)

Way: Sternwheel wood-hull packet, built at Cincinnati, OH, in 1844; 183 tons. “Went to New Orleans. Exploded and lost at McDonoughville, La., February 28, 1861, with loss of 15 lives.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats… 1999, p. 111.)

Sources

Gaines, W. Craig. Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2008.

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.

–176  NYT. “Local Intelligence. The Board of Health. The Extent of Cholera.” 1-23-1867, p. 2.[1]

Cholera Mortality During Six Years.

Year.   Jan.      Feb.     March. April.  May.    June.    Total for six months.

1861    22       21          15        23     29       66                  176

Source

New York Times. “Local Intelligence. The Board of Health. The Extent of Cholera.” 1-23-1867, p. 2. Accessed 11-23-2019 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1867/01/23/79364872.html?auth=login-google&pageNumber=2

[1] From table: “Cholera Mortality During Six Years.” [This table, however, includes only months of Jan-June.]

–19 Hall. Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes During the Navigation of 1871… 1872, p. 16.
–19 McNeil. “Jersey City (Propeller), aground, 25 Nov 1860.” Maritime History of the Great Lakes.
–17 Alchem Incorporated. Erie-Ashtabula Shipwrecks.
–17 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 249.
–17 Buffalo Daily Republic, NY. “Loss of the Propeller Jersey City.” 11-28-1860. (In McNeil)
–16 crew
— 1 passenger
–17 Lytle/Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. 1952, p. 248.
–16 Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter J.

Narrative Information

Alchem. Erie-Ashtabula Shipwrecks: “Jersey City: Steam freighter ran aground in a gale 11/24/1860 on the tip of Long Point, Ontario. Seventeen of the crew of twenty two died in the wreck.”

Lytle and Holdcamper: “Jersey City…633 [tons]…stranded…11-23-1860…Long Point, Ont. …17 [lives lost].” (From table: “Losses of United States Merchant Steam Vessels, 1807-1867.”)

McNeil:
Reason: aground
Lives: 19
….Freight: flour & pork
Remarks: Total loss
….
Geographic Coverage: Long Point, Ontario, Canada.”

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter J:
“JERSEY CITY

Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1855, G.W. Jones, Cleveland
Specs : 152x29x12, 633 t.
Date of loss : 1860, Nov 24
Place of loss : near the tip of Long Point, opposite Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 16 of 22
Carrying : flour and barreled pork, hides

“Detail : Bound Toledo for Dunkirk, NY, she was driven ashore and wrecked in a very powerful storm. Owned by the New York and Erie RR Line.”

Newspapers
(Transcribed by William McNeil for Maritime History of the Great Lakes website.)

Nov 28: “The telegraph dispatch from Port Dover last night, says the propeller JERSEY CITY, from Cleveland with a cargo of flour and pork, is a total wreck, two miles from Long Point. Sixteen of her crew and one passenger are lost. The saved, are Captain Monroe, two firemen, one wheelsman, and one passenger named Randall. Two bodies were picked up. Those saved report that nearly all reached shore, but perished in the snow storm. The captain and passengers had their hands badly frozen. The two engineers were frozen to death three hundred yards from the light-house, locked in each other’s arms. The cargo is strewn along the beach for miles. The captain arrived here today….” (Buffalo Daily Republic, NY. “Loss of the Propeller Jersey City.” 11-28-1860.)

Nov 30: “….This unfortunate propeller was built in 1855, at Cleveland. She was 633 tons burthen, valued at $25,000, and rated A No. 2. She was owned by S. D. Caldwell, of Dunkirk. She was officered by Capt. Monroe, who will be remembered as the brave man who some years since, when the brig OMAH was wrecked in Cleveland, on the West Pier, in a furious storm of wind and snow, risked his own life in saving the half-frozen crew of the brig. He resided somewhere near Dunkirk. The Clerk, A. H. Derby, was from Cleveland. He leaves a wife, to mourn his loss. The first engineer, Mr. Manchester, was a single man, and has a mother and two sisters in western New York, who depended on him for support. A few weeks since he went to the Insurance Agency, in Cleveland, and took out a life insurance policy for $2,000, for the benefit of his mother. The mate, —– Langley, was from Buffalo. These are all the names that we could ascertain.” (Buffalo Daily Republic, NY. “The Propeller Jersey City.” 11-30-1860.)

Sources

Alchem Incorporated. Lake Erie Alphabetical Shipwreck Index. Accessed 10-27-2021 at: https://www.alcheminc.com/alpha.html

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

Hall, John W. Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes During the Navigation of 1871… Detroit: Free Press Book and Job Printing Establishment, 1872. Accessed 10-24-2021 at:
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Marine_Disasters_on_the_Western_Lakes_Du/7rc5AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=hall+marine+disasters+of+the+western+lake&pg=PP9&printsec=frontcover

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=7

McNeil, William R. “Jersey City (Propeller), aground, 25 Nov 1860.” Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Accessed 10-27-2021 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/42015/data?n=1

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwreck Files. Accessed 10-27-2021 at: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/j/

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter J. Accessed 9-7-2009 at: http://greatlakeshistory.homestead.com/files/j.htm

–24 Alchem Incorporated. Eastern Erie Shipwrecks.
–24 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 241.
–24 Chicago Daily Tribune, IL. “Shipwrecks Upon the Lakes for 1860.” 12-24-1860, p. 3, col. 5.
–24 Mansfield. History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899, p. 687.
–24 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 684.
–24 Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter D.
–24 Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!…Directory of…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 65.

Narrative Information

Alchem Incorporated: “Dacotah: Wooden steam freighter sank on 11/24/1860 in the worst autumn blizzard on Lake Erie recorded up until that time. Swayze, Boyer and other sources claim the vessel went down with all 24 crewmen in mid lake. The Dacotah carried a valuable cargo of copper ingots. Ackerman places the wreck aground and salvaged 3 miles South of Sturgeon Point, New York….The Dacotah was steering for shelter in a bay off Angola, New York when it struck a submerged rock tearing open its hull. The vessel immediately began breaking apart in the surf. The entire crew reached shore alive and climbed a steep bank to take shelter from the blowing snow in a nearby ravine Several days later their frozen bodies were discovered by the Erie County coroner named William Bennett while he was inspecting his property for storm damage. Ironically Bennett owned a fully stocked lodge and cabins just beyond the ravine!” (Alchem Incorporated. Eastern Erie Shipwrecks.)

Lytle and Holdcamper: “Dacotah. 698 [tons], stranded, 11 23-1860, Buffalo, N.Y., 24 [lives lost].”

Mansfield: “Total Loss of the Dacotah. – The season of 1860, as regards the loss of life and property was the most disastrous on record, and the loss of life the most deplorable since known. During the terrific gale in November, occurred the destruction of the propeller Dacotah, Capt. William Cross, on Sturgeon Point [NY] in Lake Erie, with 24 lives, not a soul being saved. It was a fearful night, and the suffering among vessels was above description. The Dacotah was 688 tons burden, and had been but three years in commission. She left Buffalo in the evening freighted with merchandise for Chicago, with no passengers. Nothing but fragments were ever seen afterward, so complete was her destruction. She was built by Luther Moses at Cleveland, and was valued at $33,600. She was owned by James F. Clark, of the New York Central railroad.” (Mansfield, John Brandts (Editor). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899, p. 687.)

Swayze: “DACOTAH
Other names : also seen as DAKOTAH
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, freighter
Build info : 1857, Luther Moses, Cleveland
Specs : 198x30x13, 688 t.
Date of loss : 1860, Nov 24
Place of loss : near 18-mile Creek, close to Angola, NY [Evans Centre]
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 24 [all]
Carrying : copper ingots, cash
Detail: Though most sources say she went missing, she actually was driven ashore and destroyed quickly with her entire crew in one of the most powerful storms of the decade. Those aboard included members of the crew of the propeller Marquette, who had been traveling home after that vessel was laid up for the season. Her engine and boiler were salvaged by the tug HOMER the following July. Owned by New York Central Railroad. Master: Capt. Wm. S. Cross.” (Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter D.)

Swayze: “Dacotah or Dakotah. Wooden freighter.
“Lake Erie: This vessel was reported to have been carrying a valuable cargo of copper ingots and cash when she went missing with all 24 hands off Clear Creek, Ontario, in midlake [sic]. The date of her loss was November 24, 1860. A conflicting report says that she went aground near Angola, New York on the 11th [sic]

(Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992, p. 65.)

Newspapers

Nov 26: “….A large propeller, supposed to be the Dacotah, of the New York Central Railroad line, is ashore at Eighteen Mile Creek. She left Buffalo on Friday afternoon [23rd] with a double crew on board, all of whom have perished….” (Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Storm and the Weather.” 11-28-1860, p. 2, col. 1.)

Nov 28: “The gale on the Lakes last Friday and Saturday [23rd-24th]was probably the most severe, when taken in connection with the severity of the temperature, ever experience on our waters. News of sad disasters are reaching us from every point, some of which we chronicle below, as we find them in our exchanges.

“The propeller Dacota, which left Buffalo just before the storm, has been lost at Evan’s Centre with all the crew, together with the crew of the propeller Marquetta, who were returning home to Chicago. Portions of the wreck lie scattered along the shore for eighteen miles this side [southwest] of Buffalo. William Cross was commander, and Mr. Chas. H. Pease had been Steward, but the latter was not on board.” (Daily Commercial Register, Sandusky, OH. “Later Lake Disasters – Great Loss of Life and Property.” 11-28-1860, p. 3, col. 3.)

Nov 28: “The rumor of which we spoke in the Sentinel [Milwaukee Sentinel] of yesterday morning, turns out to be true. – The propeller Dacotah, Capt. W. S. Cross, suffered total shipwreck on Lake Erie, during the dreadful storm on Saturday last [24th], and all on board are supposed to have perished. The propeller Dacotah was a first-class propeller, and had on board a full cargo for Lake Michigan ports. This loss is covered in part, if not in whole by insurance; but there is another loss that no insurance can compensate. It is the loss of life; the loss of twenty or thirty stout seamen; the loss, above all of Capt. Wm. S. Cross, of this city [Milwaukee], as true a man, as good a sailor, as ever trod a vessel’s planks. Capt. Cross had been a resident of this city for the last 22 years….Capt. Cross was nearly 43 years old, and leaves a wife and two young children to lament his sad and sudden death…. – Mil. Sen., 28th.” (Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Loss of the Propeller Dacotah.” 11-29-1860, p. 2, col. 3.)

Dec 13: “By the loss of the propeller Dacotah, on Lake Erie, on Friday night of week before last, we regret to learn that a much esteemed young man by the name of Edwin Jerrod, abed about 27 years, of Cuylerville [NY], lost his life. He was engaged in shipping fruit to the West, and had on board the vessel several hundred barrels of apples which he was taking to Milwaukee for sale. When his body was found the clothing was nearly stripped off, nothing remaining except the waistbands of his pantaloons, and a portion of his vest and shirt. The palms of both hands were blistered as though he had for some length of time clung to something. – the pocket of the vest remained, and in it his watch was found. The deceased was the main support of a widowed mother, and was much respected by all who knew him. Not a soul on board the vessel was left to tell the fearful tale of the awful sufferings of the night. His remains were brought to Cuylerville where the funeral was attended on Monday last.” (Dansville Advertiser, NY. 12-13-1860, p. 3, col. 3.)

Dec 24: “….Prop Dacotah, at Sturgeon Point, Lake Erie; twenty-four lives lost.” (Chicago Daily Tribune, IL. “Shipwrecks Upon the Lakes for 1860.” 12-24-1860, p. 3, col. 5.)

Sources

Alchem Incorporated. Lake Erie Shipwreck and Dive Location Pages. Accessed 1-28-2009 at: http://www.alcheminc.com/shipwrck.html

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

Chicago Daily Tribune, IL. “Shipwrecks Upon the Lakes for 1860.” 12-24-1860, p. 3, col. 5. Accessed 11-21-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-tribune-dec-24-1860-p-3/

Daily Commercial Register, Sandusky, OH. “Later Lake Disasters – Great Loss of Life and Property.” 11-28-1860, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 11-21-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-daily-commercial-register-nov-28-1860-p-3/

Dansville Advertiser, NY. 12-13-1860, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 11-21-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dansville-advertiser-dec-13-1860-p-3/

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

Mansfield, John Brandts (Ed. And Compiler). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899. http://www.linkstothepast.com/marine/chapt36.html — Google digitized: http://books.google.com/books?id=iHXhAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

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.

Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Storm and the Weather.” 11-28-1860, p. 2, col. 1. Accessed 11-21-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-nov-28-1860-p-2/

Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Loss of the Propeller Dacotah.” 11-29-1860, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 11-21-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/racine-daily-journal-nov-29-1860-p-2/

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter D. Accessed 9/10/2009 at: http://greatlakeshistory.homestead.com/files/d.htm

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

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

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.

Swayze, David D. Great Lakes Shipwrecks Beginning with the letter D. Accessed 9-10-2009 at: http://greatlakeshistory.homestead.com/files/d.htm

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

–All hands. Gibbs, James A. Shipwrecks off Juan de Fuca. Portland, OR: 1968, p. 222.
–10-12 The British Colonist, Victoria, B.C. “The Ship John Marshall Really Lost.” 12-18-1860, 2.

Narrative Information

Gibbs: “John Marshall, American ship, overcome by a gale off Cape Flattery, November 10, 1860. Parts of the derelict later came ashore near Bonilla Point but the entire crew was lost without trace. Vessel was en route to Port Discovery, Washington, from San Francisco, in ballast. She was to have loaded lumber.” (Gibbs, James A. Shipwrecks off Juan de Fuca. 1968, p. 222.)

Newspaper

Dec 18: “The schooner Ino arrived yesterday afternoon from San Juan harbor and its vicinity, bringing intelligence confirmatory of the reports heretofore published in the Colonist, regarding the rumored loss of the ship John Marshall, and a small schooner, the name of which is supposed to be the Dance. The captain of the Ino brings with him a portion of the head-board of the John Marshall, upon which the name of that unfortunate vessel can be plainly seen. She is supposed to have struck and gone down about seven or eight miles beyond San Juan, and near Cape Flattery, on the night of the 10th Nov. during the same gale in which the D. L. Clinch was castaway. A great portion of the rigging, one of the masts, and many other articles were picked up by the Ino on the beach. About fifteen feet of a small schooner, supposed to be named the Dance (from the fact that a head-board with that name upon it was found near the place where the John Marshall is thought to have gone down) was also seen, and portions of her rigging saved.

“There is not the least room for doubt but that the John Marshall has been lost with all on board. She was in ballast from San Francisco, and was bound for the Port Discovery Mills for a cargo of lumber. Her crew must have consisted of some ten or twelve persons. She had been engaged in the lumber business on the Sound for three years past, was about 400 tons burthen, and was owned by the proprietors of the Port Discovery Mills.

“In regard to the Dance, nothing is known as to where she was from or where bound, and she was evidently a stranger in these parts.

“The captain of the Ino informs us that although he searched the beach for several miles he saw no bodies; but nevertheless believes that not a soul escaped from either vessel, as they must have been wrecked over five weeks ago, during which time the crews would have had ample time to have reported themselves had they been alive.” (The British Colonist, Victoria, B.C. “The Ship John Marshall Really Lost.” 12-18-1860, p. 2.)

Sources

Gibbs, James A. Shipwrecks off Juan de Fuca. Portland, OR: Binfords & Mort, 1968.

The British Colonist, Victoria, B.C. “The Ship John Marshall Really Lost.” 12-18-1860, p. 2. Accessed 6-26-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/victoria-daily-british-colonist-dec-18-1860-p-2/

— 16 Hall. Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes… 1872, p. 16.
— 15 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 245.
— 15 Dubuque Herald, IA. “Explosion of the Steamer Globe!” Nov 10, 1860, p. 2.
–12-15 Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “A Terrible Calamity.” Nov 9, 1860, p. 7.
— 15 Lytle/Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1807-1868. 1952, p233.

Narrative Information

Lytle and Holdcamper: “Globe…1,223 [tons]…exploded…11 8 1860…Chicago, Ill…15 [lives lost].” (Table: “Losses of United States Merchant Steam Vessels, 1807-1867.”)

Newspapers

Nov 9, Janesville Gazette: “From the Chicago Journal of Thursday. The citizens and tradesmen in the vicinity of Clark and Well street bridges were startled at a terrific report, this morning about nine o’clock, upon the north side of the river. The same instant, the air was choked with beams, timbers, splinters, cord wood and coal, which descended in a perfect shower. The report was found to have been caused by the explosion of the propeller Globe, Capt. Amos Pratt, lying at Hale’s dock, between Clark and Wells street bridges.

“The Globe left Buffalo one week ago this morning, with eight or nine passengers and a cargo of 3000 barrels of apples and a large quantity of stoves and other hardware. She arrived at this port this morning at half-past four. At the time of the accident, all of the passengers had left the boat. The engineers and firemen were in the engine room taking off a cylinder head. The steam had been blown off from one of the boilers and the fire put out. The other boiler had but little steam on, as they had just commenced getting it up to hoist freight. The second mate informs us that there were not more than ten pounds on at the time.

“While thus engaged, the boiler exploded with terrific force, tearing the propeller into atoms, and strewing the housetops, streets, and the river with the splintered debris. – As soon as possible, a large gang of firemen under the supervision of Chief Engineer Harris, aided by citizens, commenced clearing away the wreck. The steamer Atlantic took her station on the dock to be in readiness in case of fire breaking out in the hulk, but her services were not required.

“The following were taken out dead from the ruins: Mary Ann Golden, a girl about fifteen years of age, who was on the dock picking up apples; James Hobbie, twenty-one years of age, and formerly a conductor on the State street horse railway. He was on board at the time looking for some apples which had been consigned to him. – Another body was taken out, but so terribly disfigured, that up to the time of going to press, it had not been identified.

“Patrick Donohoe, who was waiting along the west end of Wells street, near the bridge, was struck by a portion of the arch and instantly killed, his head being dashed to pieces. He lived on West Harrison street, and leaves a large family.

“Another body was found upon the top of Hale’s warehouse, but we have not ascertained his name. He was one of the deck hands.

“The crew of the Globe numbered twenty-five in all, and it is supposed that the most of them were on board. Benjamin Wilson, First Engineer; Richard Forsythe, Second Engineer; and the four firemen are known to have been killed. How many of the balance of the crew are buried in the ruins it is impossible at present to estimate.

“Peter Barnhard, of Erie, Pa., was taken out of the ruins alive and removed to the Marine Hospital, but, we are informed, died this noon….

“The force of the shock was terrible. The long block of buildings adjoining on the north side of the river was shaken as by an earthquake. The windows were all broken and ceilings destroyed. Several buildings on the west side of Wells street were cracked and otherwise damaged. The windows on the river side of the Board of Trade building were all broken and many also in Gilbert, Hubbard & Co’s building on South Water street. The telegraph wires on Water street were snapped in several places, and roofs of buildings a considerable distance from the wreck, were broken by falling beams. The long shed or warehouse on the north side of the river, reaching from Wells and Clark street bridge, was broken through in many places.

“One of the fenders of the boat, weighing about two hundred pounds, was blown through the air, and hurled into the rear of Larrabee & North’s dry good store, over a block from the dock, in its course taking out a circular piece, a foot in diameter, from the centre of an iron shutter. The Globe was an old boat, owned by Dr. Helmer, of Lockport, N.Y. She was valued at $15,000 and insured for $10,000.
Later.

“There are many conflicting rumors upon the street relative to the cause of this terrible disaster, but the true one, as near as we can ascertain from conversations with the captain and mate, is this: The engineer had received orders to get up steam on the donkey engine, to hoist out freight. The boiler was exceedingly hot, and but a trifling amount of steam on. The pumps were set at work, and the cold water pumping in at once caused the explosion.

“The total number of the victims to this new calamity will probably reach fifteen. – The captain informs us that the two engineers, four firemen and three deck hands are missing, and undoubtedly lost. This would give a total loss of fifteen.” (Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “A Terrible Calamity.” Nov 9, 1860, p. 7.)

Sources

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

Dubuque Herald, IA. “Explosion of the Steamer Globe!” 11-10-1860, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=36098135

Hall, John W. Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes During the Navigation of 1871… Detroit: Free Press Book and Job Printing Establishment, 1872. Accessed 10-24-2021 at:
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Marine_Disasters_on_the_Western_Lakes_Du/7rc5AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=hall+marine+disasters+of+the+western+lake&pg=PP9&printsec=frontcover

Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. “A Terrible Calamity” [Steamer Globe boiler explosion]. 11-9-1860, p. 7. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=38227400

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=7

—<20 Blanchard.* -- 23 [killed and wounded] Weekly Sun, Columbus, GA. “Explosion of the Baltic.” 11-13-1860, p. 2. -- 20 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 157. -- 20 USACE. Survey Report on Mobile Harbor, Alabama, Vol. 2, Oct 1980. Appendix 5, B-42. -- 20 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 684. -- 20 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, 37. -- 17 [killed and wounded] Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. 11-10-1860, p. 6; cites Mobile Tribune, 4th. --~10 Weekly Sun, Columbus, GA. “Explosion of the Baltic.” 11-13-1860, p. 2.) -- 6 Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. “Explosion of the Steamer Baltic.” 11-8-1860, p. 3. *Blanchard: Though we show four sources noting twenty fatalities, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the highest number of fatalities and casualties combined is twenty-three. All of these are early reports, however, with the story quickly dropping from papers, and it would not be surprising at all to learn that one or more of the seriously injured died from injuries. Thus we indicate < (up to) twenty as our own estimate. Narrative Information Way: Sidewheel wooden packet, 399 tons. Built in New Albany Ind. in 1856. Went to Mobile, Ala. Exploded and lost at the place, Nov. 3, 1860, with a loss of 20 lives.” (Way 1994, 37) Newspapers Nov 3, Philadelphia Press: “Mobile, Nov. 4. – The tow-boat Baltic exploded her boilers this morning, and several of her crew were killed and wounded.” (Philadelphia Press, PA. 11-5-1860, p. 2, col. 4. bottom) Nov 3, The World: “Mobile, Nov. 3. The towboat Baltic exploded this morning. Several persons were killed and wounded.” (The World, NYC. “Explosion in Mobile Bay.” 11-5-1860, p. 4.) Nov 5, Daily Ledger, IN: “A telegram states that the towboat Baltic exploded on Saturday morning, at Mobile, by which several were killed and wounded…The Baltic was built here in 1856 by Capt. Joshua Bragdon, at a cost of about $40,000, and was worth, at the time of her explosion, about $25,000. She was commanded by Capt. J. S. Brainard, and used for towing purposes in Mobile Bay. She was owned by Captains Brainard and Merchant.” (Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN. “Explosion of the Towboat Baltic.” 11-5-1860, p. 3.) Nov 6, Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA: “We learned at about midnight that the bay steamer Baltic was blown up yesterday evening in the bay, about fifteen miles from the city. We are at this moment without particulars of the disaster, but learn generally that the engineer was killed and several persons were wounded. – Mobile Advertiser, 3d.” (Chronicle & Sentinel, August, GA. “Explosion of the Steam4r Baltic.” 11-6-1860, p. 3.) Nov 8, Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA: “We are indebted to Mr. Wm. R. Fell, Clerk of the towboat Baltic, for most of the particulars of the disaster which occurred to her yesterday evening [2nd?]. The Baltic was on her way up from the fleet with a barge in tow, both freighted with hay, and had about twenty cabin passengers from the fleet, including five ladies and eight children, and on deck twelve sailors and eight shoremen. About quarter to 7 o’clock, when opposite to Deer River, some ten miles below the city, the middle starboard boiler exploded, parting in the middle. The forepart went forward, being blown entirely out of shape; the afterpart was buried in the deck, and brought up in one of the coal bunkers, which no doubt preserved the boat from sinking. The social hall, and everything forward were entirely carried away, the cabin furniture completely wrecked, and the whole scene was enveloped in darkness. “The first thing of which the alarmed company on board became sensible was, that the boat was on fire forward, and every effort – except that required for the immediate care of the wounded – was at once directed to getting rid of the hay which was burning on both the barge and the boat. It was all rolled overboard, amounting to 400 bales, when, by Capt. Brainard’s direction, Mr. J. Crimmons came up to town in a skiff for assistance. The steamer Col. Clay immediately went down, and it was judged best to bring the barge to town at once, with the wounded on board, which was accordingly done. The Baltic was towed up by the propeller Neaffie [unclear], arriving about 7 o’clock this morning, and now lies opposite town. “The following is the list of candidates so far as we have been able to ascertain them: “Killed. – Walter Wilson, ed Engineer, in charge at the time, missing, and no doubt blown overboard; a sailor from the ship Pettigrew; and a bayman, also missing; the striker (3rd Engineer) both legs blown off, survived about twenty minutes; a negro sailor from the fleet; and another sailor, whether white or black not known. “Wounded. – Capt. Wm. Lee, lower bar pilot, was injured, it is feared fatally, vomiting blood, and suffering much pain – he has been taken to the hospital. Two or three deck passengers and fur negro hands – Baptiste (Sidley master), Frank (Krebs), Peter and Leslie (Turner), were badly scalded; Baptiste the most, but none, it is believed, fatally. Two or three others were slightly injured. “The entire number of killed and wounded is about seventeen, not including trifling contusions, &c. “Capt. J. M. Brainard, and Mr. A. M. Godfrey had a narrow escape, as they were passing from the cabin to the social hall at the moment of the explosion, and the deck was torn away under their feet. Capt. Brainard was prostrated, but clambered back into the cabin, and with the greatest coolness immediately devoted himself to the care of the sufferers and of the boat. He was ably seconded by Mr. Godfrey, Mr. J. Crimmons, and Mr. Wm. A. Wallace, the mate of the Baltic – to all of whom the highest praise is given for the efficiency of the services rendered by them in the hour of alarm and confusion. – Mobile Evening News, 3d.” (Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. “Explosion of the Steamer Baltic.” 11-8-1860, p. 3.) Nov 13, Weekly Sun, Columbus, GA: This article is virtually identical to the preceding one, with the exception of one additional paragraph at the end: “….We learn also that a bayman named Lorenzo Pratt, was very seriously wounded, also a man named Adams, a boy named John Wood, is missing, two negroes belonging to the ship Arkwright were killed, John Picon, belonging to ship Pettigrew was slightly wounded.” (Weekly Sun, Columbus, GA. “Explosion of the Baltic.” 11-13-1860, p. 2.) Sources Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972. Chronicle & Sentinel, August, GA. “Explosion of the Steamer Baltic.” 11-6-1860, p. 3. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/augusta-daily-chronicle-and-sentinel-nov-06-1860-p-3/ Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. “Explosion of the Steamer Baltic.” 11-8-1860, p. 3. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/augusta-daily-chronicle-and-sentinel-nov-08-1860-p-3/ Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN. “Explosion of the Towboat Baltic.” 11-5-1860, p. 3. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-albany-daily-ledger-nov-05-1860-p-3/ 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 Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. “The Explosion of the Baltic – Seventeen Killed and Wounded.” 11-10-1860, p. 6. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-nov-10-1860-p-6/ Philadelphia Press, PA. 11-5-1860, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-press-nov-05-1860-p-2/ The World, NYC. “Explosion in Mobile Bay.” 11-5-1860, p. 4. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/world-nov-05-1860-p-4/ United States Army Corps of Engineers. Survey Report on Mobile Harbor, Alabama, Vol. 2. Mobile District: USACE, October 1980. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mobile_Harbor_Channel_Deepening/GCo0AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22baltic%22%20 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 Edition). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1994-1999. Weekly Sun, Columbus, GA. “Explosion of the Baltic.” 11-13-1860, p. 2. Accessed 8-9-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-weekly-sun-nov-13-1860-p-2/

— 39 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 171.
— 39 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 242.
— 39 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 684.
— 39 NYT. “Steamboat Explosions. Explosion on the Steamer H. R. W. Hill.” Nov 5, 1860, 5.
— 39 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, 204

Narrative Information

Way: H. R. W. Hill: Sidewheel wood-hull packet, built in New Albany, IN, in 1852 at 602 tons. “Ran New Orleans-Memphis prior to the war., Capt. Thomas H. Newell….The boilers exploded at Baton Rouge in Oct. 31, 1860, with loss of 39 lives. Apparently repairs were not made, and she was towed to Memphis where she was captured by U.S. forces during the Battle of Memphis…” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, p. 204.)

Newspaper

Nov 3, New York Times: “New-Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 3. The total number of killed by the explosion on the steamer H. R. W. Hill is 39, and the wounded reach fifteen to twenty….” (NYT. “Steamboat Explosions. Explosion on the Steamer H. R. W. Hill.” Nov 5, 1860, 5.)

Sources

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

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=262&size=125&q1=h.%20r.%20w.%20hill

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 York Times. “Steamboat Explosions. Explosion on the Steamer H. R. W. Hill.” Nov 5, 1860, 5. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=6353490

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.