–11-12 Blanchard estimated death toll.*
–20-30 Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Explosion of the Kate Fleming.” 10-17-1850, p. 6, col. 3.
— 20 Daily Free Democrat, Milwaukee, WI. “A Murder.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 2.
— 12 Oshkosh Democrat, WI. “Steamboat Explosion.” Oct 18, 1850, p. 2.
— 12 Warrick Democrat, Newburgh, IN. “Awful Steamboat Disaster.” 10-15-1850, p. 2, c. 3.
— 11 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 251.
— 11 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [U.S.] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 237.
— 11 Twaintimes. “1850.”
— 11 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…[MS Riv. Sys]. 1994, 265.
–9 immediate
–2 from injuries later
— 11 Wisconsin Democrat, Madison. “Steamboat Disaster.” Oct 26, 1850, p. 2.
— 10 Putnam, G. P. (Ed.). The World’s Progress: A Dictionary of Dates. 1851, p. 706.
— 9 Gould. Fifty Years on the Mississippi. 1889, p. 437.
— 9 Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 187.
*Blanchard estimated death toll. From a reading of all the accounts below we believe that at least eleven people died. While Way notes nine immediate deaths and two from injuries, we observe that while our counting of named or otherwise identified immediate fatalities when they occur in a listing, comes to nine, such accounts name or identify one clerk, whereas we see several accounts which claim that there were two clerks and both were killed. This would make 10 immediate deaths. If so, and two died from injures later, this would make twelve deaths. Additionally we note that the Warrick Democrat, in Newburgh, IN, in an Oct 10 article on the explosion, republished an account from the Louisville (KY) Journal of Oct 8 which cites Captain Dunham of the Kate Fleming as having stated that twelve people had been killed and fifteen wounded. It is not clear if he meant twelve immediate deaths or twelve deaths by the time of his statement. In any event one can find additional reporting to the effect of twelve deaths, such as the Oshkosh Democrat of Oct 18. We thus conclude that there well might have been twelve deaths. While the accounts of twenty or more deaths compel attention, we do not see evidence to support these accounts. We also disregard Lloyd and Gould (who generally repeats Lloyd) as to nine deaths. We surmise this number was based on reviewing newspaper articles at the time which did indeed note nine immediate deaths.
Narrative Information
Lloyd: “Explosion of the Kate Fleming.
“The steamer Kate Fleming, Captain Dunham, on her way from Louisville to Cairo, at the mouth of the Ohio river, exploded near Walker’s Landing, on Saturday, October 5, 1850, at 12 o’clock, M. She had been aground on Walker’s bar, but had got off, and the bell had given the signal to ‘go ahead slowly,’ when after a few revolutions of the water-wheel, the boiler exploded, dislodging the furnace, and setting fire to the boat which burned to the water’s edge.
“List Of The Killed — E. Y. Bocock, Christian C. Odell, barkeeper; Annette, colored chambermaid; Jeffrey, colored steward; John, cabin boy; Hutchinson, a slave of Mr. Moore, of Miss.; a fireman and a deck-hand, and a Mr. Jennings, of New Albany.
“Wounded — Capt. Dunham; J. Thornby, of Miss.; the steward of the Kate Fleming; the mate and second cook of do., and several of the deck passengers. Mr. Weld, of Louisiana, was badly bruised.
“Capt. Dunham, Capt. Quarrier, and Mr. Lowry, with several others, were standing on the hurricane deck, and were all blown up several feet in the air. Captains Dunham and Quarrier fell on the bow of the boat; the others fell into the river, and saved themselves by swimming.
“The safe, containing a large amount of money, some of which belonged to the boat, and some deposited by the passengers, was blown into the river, and was supposed to be irrecoverably lost. Very few of the passengers saved their baggage and clothing, though some had sufficient presence of mind to throw their trunks overboard.” (Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. 1856, p. 187.)
Lytle and Holdcamper: “Kate Fleming…76 [tons]…exploded…10 5 `850…Walker Bar, Ohio River…11 [lives lost].”
Putnam: “Steam and Powder Explosions, 1850. October 5, Steamer Kate Fleming, Tennessee River, 10 [lives lost].” (Putnam (Ed.). The World’s Progress: A Dictionary of Dates. 1851, p. 706.)
Twaintimes, 1850: “Steamboat Kate Fleming explodes boilers (11 dead – 6 injured), 5 October.”
(Twaintimes. “1850.”)
Way: Kate Fleming. “Stw p wh b [Sternwheel packet, wood hull, built] West Elizabeth, Pa., 1850. 76 tons. She was downbound below Cave In Rock on Oct. 5, 1850, when the boilers exploded at Walkers Bar. Nine were killed outright and six injured, two of whom subsequently died.” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…MS River System. 1994, p. 265.)
Newspapers
Oct 7: “Paducah, Oct. 7 – 1½ P.M. The steamboat Kate Fleming, Capt. Dunham, from Louisville for Cairo, burst both her boilers on Saturday, 5th inst., at Walker’s Bar. She had been aground, but had got off, and had been floating a short distance when the bell rant ‘go ahead slow’ and after making a few revolutions she exploded, and afterwards burned to the water’s edge. The cause of the explosion is thought to be want of water in the boilers.
“Annexed is a list of killed, missing and saved – furnished us by Mr. Jno. A. Lowry, clerk of the Gen. Lafayette, who was on board at the time, and narrowly escaped in a skiff from the scene of disaster. The list is as complete as it could be made at the time.
Killed and Missing.
T. T. Bocock, Christian Co. Ky., first clerk.
O. Dell, barkeeper.
Annette, chambermaid of Jos. Hewitt.
Jeff and John, steward and cabin boy of Gen. Lafayette.
Fireman, deck hand, and servant of Mr. Moore of Mississippi.
Wm Jennings of New Albany….”
(Painesville Telegraph, OH. “Awful Disaster.” Oct 9, 1850, p. 2.)
Oct 15: “We scarcely open a paper of late but that we meet with an account of some awful steamboat disaster. The latest that we have seen is the following account of the explosion of both boilers of the steamer Kate Fleming, which occurred on the 5th inst.
“We copy from the Louisville Journal of the 8th:
The Steamboat Disaster. – The intelligence of the explosion of the steamer Kate Fleming, which was received yesterday morning, caused the most intense excitement. – The dispatch gave no particulars. It merely mentioned that the boat had blown up and then burned to the water’s edge. The Kate Fleming started from here [Louisville] on Wednesday [Oct 2] for Cairo, crowded with passengers, who left hundreds of relatives and friends behind them. They were left in the most awful suspense from morning until late in the afternoon, when the city papers received full particulars, with the list of the killed and wounded, which was immediately issued in extras – The disaster is indeed heart-rending; still it is not as awful as many were led to believe from the first dispatch. Particular interest was felt for Capt. Dunham, who commanded the Kate Fleming at the time, and who resides here. His is known and esteemed by all as a very competent officer, and we are truly glad that, although wounded, he will recover. He escaped by a miracle, as also did Capt. Quarrier, of the James Hewitt, and Mr. Lowry, clerk of the Gen. Lafayette.
The cause of the explosion is supposed here to have been the want of water in the boilers, and this is attributed to the incompetency or recklessness of the engineer, though of this we have no information. It is, however, but justice to Capt. Dunham to state that he took command of the boat after her arrival here from above, and that he made no change of officers except those he deemed utterly necessary, the pilots, who were both saved, and the first clerk, Mr. Babcock, who was killed.
The Kate Fleming was a new steamboat, the mate of the Chattanooga. She was built at Pittsburg the past season, for the Knoxville and Chattanooga trade, by Capt. Wm. Williams & Co., of the former place. She was insured at Pittsburg for $6,000, but we understand that policies do not provide for losses by accidents of this kind. She took on board here considerable freight, besides what she brought from above, which will doubtless be nearly all lost.
We subjoin a private dispatch to Captain Morehead from Capt. Robert McConnell:
Paducah, Oct. 7.
Capt. Dunham is here at the Marshall House. He informs me there were 12 killed, and 15 wounded. He is a good deal bruised, but not dangerously ill. The doctor informs me that Capt. D. will recover. – He has every attention. Capt. Quarrier is also here, waling about badly scarred. ROBERT McCONNELL.
“Further Particulars of the Disaster. – We are indebted to our attentive friend, the editor of the Evansville Journal, for an Extra, issued on Thursday, containing the following additional particulars:
From all we can learn, there were at least twenty lives lost by this explosion. The horrible accident occurred through the gross negligence of the 1st Engineer, who was playing with a strumpet, and allowed the boilers to get red hot, and in this state water was pumped into them. The two pilots were in the pilot-house at the time, but escaped serious injury.
“The following particulars were issued in an Extra from the Owensboro’ American office:
The steamer Kate Fleming, burst her larboard boiler, on Saturday last, at Walker’s Bar, three miles below Cave in the Rock, by which accident a great many lives were lost, and the boat and cargo entirely destroyed. A young man of our town, John B. Adams, who was a passenger at the time of the accident, has given us the particulars. He says he was standing forward on the boiler deck, and was blown, as near as he could ascertain, about seventy feet from the boat into the river. He succeeded in swimming ashore. – The only serious injury he sustained, was the scalding of his left cheek, and a few spots on his body. About five minutes after the accident, the boat took fire, and burnt to the water’s edge. He says that seven skulls were found in the hull, and the bodies of four others discovered floating. There are others supposed to be lost, but the register had not been examined, and the exact number not ascertained. Both the clerks of the boat were killed. The engineer, as soon as he could, reached the shore, and took to his heels, and it was well perhaps that he done so, as he would have been hung, had the enraged passengers caught him. The boat was not more than fifty yards from the shore, and by the use of the yawl, the passengers were saved. Several were blown overboard, who swam to the shore. It is said that as the trunks and boxes were taken on shore, a band of out-lawed Irish would seize them and proceed to break open and divide the property. The trunk of a lady was broken into, the thieves caught and severely chastised. It was only the influence of the aged and more discreet passengers that prevented the incensed company from hanging these outlaws; — preparations were made for the purpose, but the punishment was commuted to lashes on the bare back.
The accident is attributed to the carelessness of the engineer – and it seems that he was conscious of his guilt, and hid himself in the woods.
“The following is a list of the killed, missing and wounded, as far as we have ascertained;
Killed and Missing. – [We break into separate lines, from the original paragraph.]
B. T. Bocock, Christian co., first clerk;
____ Odell, bar-keeper;
Annette, chamber-maid of James Hewitt;
Jeff…steward…of Gen Lafayette;
John…cabin boy of Gen. Lafayette;
Hutchinson, servant of Mr. Moore, of Miss.;
fireman…of Gen. Lafayette;
deck hand of Gen. Lafayette;
Wm. Jennings of New Albany.
Wounded….” (We omit the listing of wounded.)
(Warrick Democrat, Newburgh, IN. “Awful Steamboat Disaster.” 10-15-1850, p. 2, col. 3.)
Oct 17, Burlington Hawk-Eye: “On Saturday, October 5th, the Kate Fleming bound from Louisville to Cairo [via OH Riv.], with a large number of passengers on board, blew up at the foot of Walker’s bar, about 35 or 40 miles above Paducah. The accident happened just as the boat had succeeded in getting over the bar on which she had been aground for several hours. It is though that there was not a drop of water in the boilers when the boat crossed the bar. The pump, supplying the boilers, is supposed to have been filled with sand, while the boat was on the bar, and the moment the boat got into deep water and the pump commenced to work, the sudden rush of water into boilers, brought nearly to a white heat, caused the explosion. The explosion was followed by a dull, faint sound and only a very slight escape of steam. That there was no water in the boilers, is supposed to be evident from the fact, that of the large number blown overboard and afterwards rescued from the wreck, not one was found badly scalded. All those killed or wounded, received their injuries from the heat and the natural force of the steam – boiling water had but little share in the tragedy.
“As soon as the smoke and steam clearer away the wreck was discovered to be on fire. The steamer Fleetwood was in sight at the time, and made every effort to reach the burning boat. Unfortunately, the Fleetwood and the flat she had in tow, grounded with within a few hundred yards, but immediately sent her yawl to pick up those blown overboard. More that a dozen skiffs and other boats from the shore were engaged in picking up the living and dead. Many of the persons, however, with shame be it said, in a Christian age and a civilized land, acted more like pirates and robbers than human beings. Many went in for booty alone and paid no attention to the wants of the dead or the dying. A lady, with four children, had her trunks broken open and rifled of their contents; and a wretch had the impudence to demand $2, as a recompense for returning her a change of her own clothing. Two scoundrels, caught in the act of making off with a large share of booty, were tied to a tree and made to feel the cost of their villainy.
“The boat took fire immediately after the explosion and in less than three hours burned to the water’s edge, together with the entire cargo, books and a large amount of baggage belonging to the passengers. The whole fore part of the boat was blown to atoms, and the destruction of human life was very great. The Captain was on the hurricane deck at the time and received severe injury. Both the clerks were killed and their bodies burned in the wreck. The engineers and pilot were saved. – It will never be known, however, how many nor who were killed, as the books and papers of the boat ere burned. It is estimated that from twenty to thirty were killed.
“A few days after the accident, the iron safe of the boat was rescued from the wreck, and was found to contain every thing there deposited uninjured. One gentleman, Capt. Bentley, had $2000, in the chest, which he took possession of, as also did others who had money and valuables therein. Judge Paschall, of Arkansas, had in it a purse containing four oor five hundred dollars in gold, which was returned to him. The first engineer absconded soon after the explosion and has not since been seen. To his negligence and the want of water in the boilers, the accident is attributed. By the latest accounts from the wreck, many dead bodies had been discovered, some partially, others almost entirely consumed; and those partially burnt, so much defaced as to leave no trace of their identity behind. An inquest had been held, and all the bodies found were gathered up and committed to one common grave.
“The Kate Fleming was an entire new steamer, on her second trip, and bound for the Tennessee river, where she was to run as a packet above the Muscle Shoals.” (Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Explosion of the Kate Fleming.” 10-17-1850, p. 6, col. 3.)
Oct 18: “The Steamer, Kate Fleming, while at Walker’s bar, between Louisville and Cairo, on the Ohio river, burst both its boilers, killing twelve persons, and severely wounding many more. Want of water in the boilers is the supposed cause.” (Oshkosh Democrat, WI. “Steamboat Explosion.” Oct 18, 1850, p. 2.)
Sources
Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.
Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Explosion of the Kate Fleming.” 10-17-1850, p. 6, col. 3. Accessed 9-22-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-oct-17-1850-p-6/
Daily Free Democrat, Milwaukee, WI. “A Murder.” 11-1-1850, p. 2, col. 2. Accessed 9-22-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-free-democrat-nov-01-1850-p-2/
Gould, E. W. Fifty Years on the Mississippi; or, Gould’s History of River Navigation. St. Louis: Nixon-Jones Printing Co., 1889, 750 pages. Digitized by Google. Accessed 2008 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=udyywXOVBvsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
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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
Oshkosh Democrat, WI. “Steamboat Explosion.” Oct 18, 1850, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33331954
Painesville Telegraph, OH. “Awful Disaster.” 10-9-1850, p. 2. Accessed at: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dEZZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AkgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2619,1064925&dq=kate-fleming+1850&hl=en
Putnam, G. P. (Ed.). The World’s Progress: A Dictionary of Dates. NY: G. P. Putnam, 1851. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=qz9HAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
The North Carolinian, Fayetteville, NC. “The Explosion on the Kate Fleming.” 11-2-1850, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 9-22-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-north-carolinian-nov-02-1850-p-2/
Twaintimes. 1846-1856. Broken link accessed at: http://twaintimes.net/page3.html
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Wisconsin Democrat, Madison. “Steamboat Disaster.” 10-26-1850, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33219778
