Archive for the ‘Civil War Steamers’ Category
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
One hundred fifty years ago today, the str Horizon collided with the streamer str Moderator . Both boats were running after dark on a moonless night without lights, making evasive moves, and badly riddled by rebel cannons. The str Moderator had been damaged to the degree that it was unmanageable. The Horizon was not in trouble until the collision with the Moderator. Both vessels sunk. The str Horizon sunk on Island No 10 near Grand Gulf, MS.
Many soldiers, including Swedish members of Stolbrand’s Battery, were lost when the str Horizon sank. [1] In an eyewitness report by Gen Issac H Elliot, “I was down to the str Horizon and succeeded in getting out three gun carriages, but the stench arising from the 60 dead horses and men made my officers and men sick.” [2]
According to The Lytle-Holdcamper List ― Lives lost “Unknown”.[3]
According to the Gibsons, the US government paid $18,500 for the loss of the packet.[4] It is true that the owners applied for compensation, but two applications for indemnity were rejected by the US Army Quartermaster. I have no knowledge of any compensation received. At the time of the collision, the owners of the str Horizon were John N McCurdy, Thomas S Calhoon, Richard Calhoon, and William White (Jackman T Stockdale had sold his share in late 1862).[5]
References.
[1] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 217.
[2] Gen Issac H Elliot,. Thirty-Third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry In the Civil War.
[3] William M Lytle and Forrest R Holdcamper, Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1790-1868, (The Steamship Historical Society of America, Inc, 1975), p272.
[4] Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Uniion Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 152.
[5] John H Ewing, Biography of Thomas S Calhoon, Heinz History Center, The Ewing Papers Box 5, p 17.
Copyright © 2013 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
On this day 150 years ago, the str Horizon ran the Vicksburg and Grand Gulf batteries with supplies. Her civilian crew, except for her pilots, was temporarily replaced by Army officers and soldiers. Badly damaged by shell fire, she ran the gauntlet successfully. [1] According to the regimental history of the 11th Illinois Infantry, Second Lieutenant James D. Vernay of Company B received the Medal of Honor. He had been detached as a volunteer to the steamer Horizon during the Vicksburg campaign. The medal was issued for “Served gallantly as a volunteer with the crew of the steamer Horizon that, under a heavy fire, passed the Confederate batteries.”. [2]
The str Horizon was one of six transport steamers repaired to run the Vicksburg batteries after the failures of the “bayou” expeditions. On 22 Apr 1863, Capt GW Kennard 20th IL Regiment commanded the str Horizon. His boat left Millikin’s Bend at 9:00 PM. She steamed slowly to the bend then put on a “full head of steam”. At the second battery two artillery shots crashed through the bulkhead. At the next battery two shots hit the hurricane deck. In total fifteen or sixteen shots hit their target. All were forward and above the boiler room.
After passing the batteries, the str Horizon attempted to go to the assistance of the disabled str Moderator without success. The str Horizon then went to the aid of the str Anglo-Saxon. Later that day, the str Horizon was ordered to pass the Warrenton battery a second time and report at New Carthage. The str Horizon ”steamed up and reported” at New Carthage.[3]
Think for a moment about the power of the Medal of Honor. To single out for honor one person aboard one steamer would be a fascinating subject to explore.
How different the Civil War would have been without the Ohio River effectively separating much of the nation, North and South! And how different would have been the outcome without the steamboat , Union men, who knew the chutes, channels, and shoals of the Ohio and its tributaries.
References.
[1] Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Union Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 152.
[2] Regimental History of the 11th Illinois Infantry.
[3] JK Folmar I, California, PA 1849-1881: The History of a Boat Building Town, (Yohogania Press, California, PA 2009), p 58.
Copyright © 2013 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: capt thomas s calhoon, civil war transports, georgetown, ohio river steamboats, vicksburg
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Friday, March 29th, 2013
If there is a “night shade” hovering over any stone in the Georgetown Cemetery, it would be the spirit of Capt Thomas Washington Poe for good reason. Capt Thomas Poe was arguably the most far-famed and ill-fated steamboat captain from Georgetown, PA. Thomas Washington Poe was born in 1819 in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co, OH. He died on 31 Dec 1881 aboard the str Fearless on his way to Pittsburgh.
Misfortune paid its respects to Capt Thomas Poe many times and often far from home. On 11 May 1855 the str Georgetown was fatally snagged at Bellefontaine Bluffs on the Missouri in route to a military post. The str Georgetown was owned by Thomas W Poe and other partners from Georgetown, PA. He was the principal owner of the str Clara Poe which was burned during the Civil War by rebel forces on 17 Apr 1865 at Eddyville on the Cumberland River. He also owned the str Amelia Poe which was a complete loss when snagged on the upper Missouri river on 24 May 1868 and salvaged by 1,500 riotous Indians. And he was the owner of the str Nick Wall which met a tragic end on the Mississippi River near Napoleon, AK on 18 Dec 1870. Here a grisly incident occurred that Mark Twain retold in “Life on the Mississippi”. Though injured himself by the falling roof, Capt Thomas W Poe attempted to save his wife trapped in a stateroom. He chopped a hole in the roof with an ax striking the unfortunate Martha Jane Poe in the head. Martha Jane Poe, fatally wounded, was returned to Georgetown for burial.
Although Thomas W died on 31 Dec 1881 aboard the str Fearless on his way to Pittsburgh, his spirit lived on ― in the courts. The steamer sank eight months later on 26 Aug 1882 on the Missouri. The legal case regarding the property loss was finally decided by the Supreme Court of Missouri in Oct 1887― not in favor of the Poe heirs. This verdict feels perfectly appropriate.
Copyright © 2013 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, Missouri River Commerce, River history, River Tales, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Sunday, March 24th, 2013
George Washington Ebert was my great great grandfather. He was born 13 Aug 1810 and died in Georgetown, PA on 24 Apr 1879. Those were the years of great experiences and many great men. During his lifetime, GW Ebert established quite a record as a wide-ranging steamboat captain and owner. According to the Certificates of Enrollment for vessels more than 20 tons registered at the Port of Pittsburgh, GW Ebert was the principle owner of fifteen (15) packets and was a partner in eight (8) other boats owned by Georgetown men. My definition of “principle owner” is the person first named on the Certificate of Enrollment record for registration of the vessel. And I have not yet concluded my review of the Certificates of Enrollment for the Port of Pittsburgh. No doubt some data is missing due to water damage of early volumes and even worse because of lost or misplaced volumes. Even with incomplete data, the fragments pieced together paint an impressive picture.
Ebert Steamers
Date: 24 Mar 2013
| Packet Name |
Build Date Way’s Directory |
Original Primary Owner (Signed Cert of Enrollment) |
| |
|
|
| Belfast |
1843 |
George W Ebert |
| Bridgewater |
1843 |
George W Ebert |
| New England |
1844 |
George W Ebert |
| Hudson |
1846 |
George W Ebert |
| Hibernia* |
1847 |
George W Ebert |
| Glaucus |
1849 |
George W Ebert |
| Washington City |
1852 |
George W Ebert |
| Yorktown |
1853 |
George W Ebert |
| Clifton |
1855 |
George W Ebert |
| Belmont |
1856 |
George W Ebert |
| Melnotte |
1856 |
George W Ebert |
| Argyle |
1859 |
George W Ebert |
| Kenton |
1860 |
George W Ebert |
| Yorktown * |
1864 |
George W Ebert |
| Mollie Ebert |
1869 |
George W Ebert |
| |
|
|
| Fairmont |
1837 |
Jacob Poe |
| Financier |
1845 |
Adam Poe |
| Pioneer |
1846 |
Adam Poe |
| Euphrates |
1847 |
Joseph MC Calhoon |
| Tuscarora |
1848 |
Jacob Poe |
| Golden Gate |
1852 |
Joseph MC Calhoon |
| Caledonia * |
1854 |
Richard Calhoon |
| Grand Turk |
1854 |
AB Galatin |
| |
|
|
Note: The asterisk indicates the second boat with that name.
Copyright © 2013 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: adam poe, capt george w ebert, jacob poe, mollie ebert, ohio river steamboats
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, Missouri River Commerce, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Saturday, January 12th, 2013
On Jan 12, 1863, the str Kenton was moored near the mouth on the White River according to a personal letter by Lt Cushman K Davis of the 28th Wisconsin Regiment. Lt Davis was the aide-de-camp to Gen Willis Arnold Gorman. Approximately 18,000 troops had been transported to the White River from Helena or Napoleon, AR by a fleet of 30 steamers. The str Kenton steamed five difficult miles up the swollen White River on Jan 13. According to Lt Davis, the old General spent most of his time in swearing at the pilot who may have been Capt George W Ebert. [1]
Imagine the sight. Amid the noises of the night, thirty packets steaming down the Mississppi. The average packet was 185 ft x 33 feet not including its wheel. Its stacks were 50-75 feet high. With the usual 100 yards between boats that would calculate to nearly four miles of steamboats, bow to wheel, belching black smoke and raining sparks from their stacks.
[1] Lt Cushman K Davis Ltr, The Waukeska Freeman Newspaper, Feb 3, 1863.
Copyright © 2013 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Posted in Civil War Steamers, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Sunday, September 16th, 2012
Last Thursday (6 Sep 2012), I spent another afternoon and early evening at the National Archives in DC. I reviewed the Certificates of Enrollment records (Record Group 41) from 3 Jan 1859 through 23 Dec 1862 (Volumes 6641-6644). Sadly, volumes 6643 and 6644 were water damaged. Their condition was disastrous. For many entries the ink was completely washed out and incomprehensible. I know not whether a conservator could recover the data. In addition to the ruined volumes, there was no volume for the year 1862. This catastrophe is a dreadful loss because the time frame extends through the period of the Civil War when approximately fifty percent of the civilian steamboats impressed or chartered for service on the western rivers by the US Army Quartermaster were built in the Pittsburgh region.
Enrollment Record in Volume 6643 (F Nash 6 Sep 2012)
Enrollment Record from Volume 6644 (Fnash 6 Sep 2012)
On a more positive note, I found two (2) new keel boats built by Georgetown rivermen. The last of these unexpected discoveries was built by HW Laughlin in Industry, PA and registered on 1 May 1861. This discovery should dispel some illusions that keel boats were quickly displaced by the technological superior steamboats. Low water was the spur of necessity that favored the keel boat to this late date.
Only twenty-eight volumes of the Certificates of Enrollment for Pittsburgh to review before my National Archives research will be complete. That said, since I last viewed the Vessel File (Record Group 92), I have discovered that I have doubled the number of steamboats from Georgetown. In addition to the Vessel File, I was pointed to the Index of Claims for the Army Quartermaster. There was an index entry for Thomas S Calhoon (str Horizon), but none for Thomas Poe or Jacob Poe (str Clara Poe). If time permits, I will also review the Preliminary Inventory of the Textual Records of the office of the Quartermaster general – Part 1 Vessel records.
The National Archives is a fascinating place to explore rare and monumental artifacts.
Copyright © 2012 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: capt thomas s calhoon, capt thomas w poe, jacob poe, national archives, ohio river steamboat, str clara poe, str horizon
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Saturday, September 8th, 2012
The biography of Capt Jacob Poe has been updated. Data acquired from the Certificates of Enrollment for the port of Pittsburgh at the National Archives has been included for some of the early Poe family steamboats. By “early” I mean before 1848 when Capt Way’s Packet Directory starts its history of steamboats.
Capt Jacob Poe was also in command of several keel boats. I intend to add data on these Georgetown keel boats in the near future.
Copyright © 2012 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: georgetown, jacob poe, keel boat, steamboat
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, Missouri River Commerce, River history, River Tales, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Str Kenton Receipt during Civil War (Ohio State University)
The str Kenton and its crew were chartered for service by the Quartermaster from 27 Dec 1861 to 5 Jan 1862 and from 6 Jan for an unknown duration of time[1]. The str
Kenton receipts for three round trips between Pittsburgh and Louisville and Pittsburgh and Cincinnati were in the papers of Capt William B Anderson (civilian riverboat captain and pilot) in the Ohio State University Rare Books Collection. Trip number 13 was dated 24 Apr 1862; trip number 10 was undated but signed by Standish Peppard (owner and first clerk of the str Kenton), and the third receipt was neither dated nor signed. Capt Anderson was quite probably one of the pilots of the str Kenton on these trips. In letters to his wife dated after 24 Apr 1862 Capt Anderson wrote of the str Kenton in the past tense which suggests he had moved to another packet. In the letters, he also expressed his concern about being drafted while between government contracts and paying a $1,000 fine about avoiding the draft. He also wrote about two captains, Capt Adams and the captain of the Florence Miller, arrested for cowardice by General Wright. The Florence Miller was a tinclad packet. The conflict between military and commercial control of the vessels was real.
References.
[1] Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson,
Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Uniion Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 189.
Copyright © 2012 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: capt george w ebert, CivWar150, georgetown, ohio river steamboats, standish perppard, str kenton, tinclad
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
Sometime ago, I reviewed the Georgetown census data for 1860 and 1870 to determine whether the steamboat men of Georgetown prospered from their Civil War contracts. According to the census data, the steamboat captains had accumulated the greatest wealth of any residents of Georgetown. Comparing the value of real and personal property of the 1860 and 1870 data, showed that the relative position of the captains changed little. Thomas Poe amassed more wealth than his older brothers, Jacob and Adam. Their brother-in-law, George W Ebert, was in last place in the 1860 census. However, only George W Ebert’s wealth increased between 1860 and 1870. The wealth of the Poe brothers, Thomas, Jacob, and Adam, decreased by 30-45%.
The census analysis is available on the page Census Data Analysis.
Copyright © 2012 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: adam poe, capt george w ebert, capt thomas w poe, civil war transports, georgetown, jacob poe
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
Still owned by Capt Jackman T Stockdale, the str Horizon was pressed into Civil War duty serving at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River on Apr 6-7, 1862. Also in 1862 with a number of other Pittsburgh based boats, the Horizon was called to the Cumberland River to relieve sick and wounded soldiers. [1]
References.
[1] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 217.
Copyright © 2012 Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved
Tags: capt jackman t stockdale, steamboat, str horizon
Posted in Civil War Steamers, History of Georgetown PA, River history, Steamer Captains | No Comments »
