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February 2004: A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Last issue of the Crier, I said I would continue with my account of early steamboats on the river. I recently received an1867 news article from my friend Larry McHenry who is very active in researching news articles concerning events on the river. This article was from the Rock Island Union (a long defunct newspaper) dated May 14, 1867 about the explosion on the steamer Lansing at Hampton the previous morning. We have written about this incident before but this gives an account with much more detail than we have seen before. Therefore, I decided to depart from what I promised and bring you this. Actually, its not too far off, after all it still deals with steamboats. I am going to quote it more or less verbatim, reserving the right to insert my own comments.
Explosion of the Steamer Lansing!
Six Persons Killed and a Number Wounded!
At 8:30 yesterday morning the Lansing, a small stern-wheel steamer belonging to Messers Stewert & Lowery of Dubuque, and leased by the Western Union Railroad Company, to run in connection with their trains, between this city and Port Byron, left the levee at Rock Island on her upward trip. A high wind was prevailing at the time and running in to the landing at Hampton, she became “wind-bound” and was unable to get underway again. (Ed note: this is still a problem for tows here when there is a strong west wind). Capt Hughes, her master, with the hands on the boat and some of the passengers were on the stern trying to push her off and get under headway, when the boiler on the shore side suddenly exploded, tearing the whole boat into fragments and creating a sad scene of havoc and death. This was about 11:30 AM. (Note: The reporter didn’t get this but actually the engineer had hung a large wrench on the safety valve and built up much more steam than the boilers could stand).
Six persons are known to have been killed, as follows:
George White, Pilot, lived at LeClaire, Iowa, leaves a wife and child. He was found with a stool leg through each thigh, both legs broken and a spinal column injured.
Wm Wassesigher, Cook, from Ft Madison, Iowa.
Jas Tracey, Fireman, Rock Island, Illinois. Leaves a wife and two children in indigent circumstances. Tracey used to drive bus for the Island City Hotel.
W H Noble, passenger, Burlington, Iowa.
W H Reebe, passenger, Colona, Illinois.
H Curtis, passenger, Dubuque. Iowa. Missing. (Note: This person’s body was found a week or so later).
Among the injured are Mrs John A Logan, Cordova, Illinois, slightly cut on the head and face. Mrs H N Richardson, Davenport, Iowa, slightly scalded. John J Kneedler, Rock Island, Illinois blown over 400 feet into vacant lot and not much damage. Sidney S Hubbie, Judge of the U S Court for the territory of New Mexico, leg broken and some other injuries. Peter Olefant, Davenport, shoulder and bone broken.
Most of the dead bodies are more or less mangled and scalded. Mr Curtis of Dubuque, had been to Rock Island buying coal and was on his return. At the time of the explosion he was seated at a table in the cabin, writing a letter. He is supposed to have consideraaable money with him. His body was not found at last accounts.
Note: Jamin with Jane’s Great Grandfather Ed Wells, often talked about seeing body parts hanging from trees and in his front yare, when he was a young boy, after this incident.
The boat was an old one, built at Prairie du Chien, and was worth $ 5000. Her officers were H M Hughes, Captain, L H Steen, Clerk, Frank Campbell, Mate, John C Bromley, Egineer. No cause can be assigned to the disastrous explosion (note: see above note).
The boat with her contents is a total wreck. One boiler is blown to fragments, and as no trace of the other can be found, it is supposed to be overboard. The smoke-stacks left no traces of their existence. The steam chest was found in a field nearly a quarter mile away. Fortunately for those on board the explosion flew forward, leaving the stern of the boat as a lodging place for the survivors, until they got ashore. The remains of the boat took fire after the explosion, but was easily extinguished. The citizens of Hampton threw open their doors and rendered every assistance in their power in caring for the dead and wounded.
C A McLaughlin, agent of the W U R R. in this city, hastened to the scene of the disaster as soon as possible and lent his assistance to the work at hand.
A coroner’s inquest was held on the bodies of the five dead men found by Lucius Wells, Esq Justice of the Peace. The jury was as follows: A Freeman, D V Plants, G Apley, Samuel Heagy, Samuel Dennison, M J Rengley, H S Shurtliff, Wm Edlleman, Clatis Glance (Note: should be Glanz), R T Melville, A A Woods, Jacob Guckert.
The inquest adjourned without a verdict and will re-assemble this morning with witnesses.
The W U R R Co will put another steamer on the line at the line at the earlilest moment, which will be duly noticed.