4th & 6th District
Includeds : Parts of Ports and Waterways in our region , St. Francis River , White River , Mississippi River , Black River , Cache and Arkansas River where the steamboats carried their cargo's from port to port up and down the rivers . Some of our ancestors worked on these steamboats from port to port . Some losing their lives to the rivers or accidents on the river boats from fire , explosions ,etc..
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Source - Annual Report of Inspector Supervisor of Steamboat Inspection - 1904
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1905.
FOURTH DISTRICT.
Office Of U. S. Supervising Inspector Of Steamboats,
St. Louis, Mo., January 5, 1904.
Local District Op St. Louis, Mo.
19O4.
February £7.—While the steamer Andrew Christy was in mid stream in the harbor of St. Louis, Mo., under full headway, man, name unknown, jumped overboard from forward end, attempting to commit suicide. Steamer was stopped, lifeboat lowered, and man rescued.
April 11.—While steamer Moline was lying at Marion, Mo., 7.15 p. m., fire was discovered in the after cabin, evidently caused by a lighted cigar or match being thrown into a pile of life-preservers that had been assorted out and piled on deck for inspection. As soon as the fire was discovered every man was at his post, and although the entire interior of the cabin was ablaze the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes after it started. The damage was examined by the inspectors personally while making the inspection. Amount, $300.
April 23.—A colored passenger, by name John Wilson, boarded the steamer Chester at Cape Girardeau ,Mo., with two other men. Being drunk, the men sat him on boiler deck near railing and left him, and in a few minutes he fell overboard. Boat was immediately sent after him, but he drowned before it got to him.
May 1.—The ferry steamer Alonzo C. Church, while engaged in her regular business in the harbor of St. Louis, Mo , carrying an unusual crowd on account of U. S. gunboat Nashville being in the harbor, about 75 people forced the trapdoor leading to roof and remained on roof despite warnings of officers that their presence there was against the rules of the company and dangerous. The crowd rushed to starboard side of boat as steamer righted with the current, and caused the upright stanchions to break, precipitating several passengers to the main deck, some of whom were seriously injured. Investigation was held May 5, and the evidence taken failed to find any violation of law. Casualty occasioned by an unruly crowd breaking through trapdoor and disobeying orders of the officers of the steamer.
June 5.—While the steamer Josie was lying at Cape Girardeau, Mo., fire started under the cabin floor directly over steam drum; cause unknown; total loss. No life lost.
August 9.—While steamer Spread Eagle was lying at Alton, Ill., a colored roustabout, by name of Tom Taylor, was knocked into the river from the forecastle by a falling stage plank, and before assistance could reach him he went under the hull of the vessel and was drowned.
LOCAL DISTRICT OF MEMPHIS, TENN.
19O4.
January 2.—Steamer Polar Wave, when tied up for the night at Helena, Ark., from some unknown cause took fire and burned. Boat valued at |8,000; a total loss. No lives lost. This boat burned December 30,1903, but was not reported until January 2, 1904.
January 11.—While en route from Memphis, Tenn., to Pine Bluff, Ark., steamer J. N. Harbin, when near Hopedale, on Arkansas River, struck a snag, breaking a hole in the hull. By use of pumps the boat was saved from sinking. No lives lost. Damage to boat, $1,000. Damage to cargo, $1,000.
February 5.—Having been informed that steamer Bart E. L. Molo had been running on expired certificate, the case was investigated and reported to the surveyor of customs and the United States attorney at Memphis, Tenn.
February 19.—Louis Mason, a passenger on ferry steamer Charles H. Organ, fell overboard and drowned.
February 24.—Willam R. Porter was found serving as engineer on steamer Alda without a license, which he claimed was lost. He was directed to get his license or a certificate of lost license, which he neglected to do, thus violating section 4446, Revised Statutes, and section 1, Rule V, rules and regulations of the Board of Supervising Inspectors. The case was reported to the United States district attorney at Little Rock, Ark., and the United States surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn.
March 10.—Steamer Sunshine while en route from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Memphis, Tenn., took fire and burned. Boat, valued at $20,000, a total loss. Charles Holms, a deck hand, drowned.
March 23.—Steamer Ida, engaged in towing, struck a bridge pier, causing the boat to sink. No lives lost. Boat, valued at $5,000, was a total loss.
May 5.—Steamer Webbers Falls was found running without a licensed engineer, and Curtis Holden acting as engineer without license. Case investigated and reported to the United States attorney at Muskogee, Ind. T., and the surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn.
June 3.—While serving under his license as assistant engineer, David Whitley was found intoxicated on steamer James Lee. The case was investigated, and his license suspended for a period of 100 days.
June 29.—Steamer Twins was reported navigating without the required number of licensed officers. Case investigated and reported to the United States attorney at Little Rock, Ark., and the surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn.
July 5.—The steamer Thomas A. Nevins reported navigating in this harbor without the required number of licensed officers. The matter investigated and case reported to the United States attorney and surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn.
August 30.—Towing steamer Hazel Rice on August 19 and 20 carried a number of people in violation of the laws and her certificate of inspection. Case investigated and reported to the United States district attorney at Little Rock, Ark., and the surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn.
September 20.—Mrs. L. Wise, a colored passenger on steamer Rees Lee, while en route between Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis, Mo., jumped overboard and drowned.
September 27.—Two colored deck hands on steamer Kate Adams engaged in a fight while en route between Arkansas City and Memphis, Tenn., resulting in the death of Huston Sims.
October 2.—When entering the harbor of Memphis, Tenn., J. L. Love, watchman on the main deck of steamer City St. Joseph, fell overboard and drowned.
October 20.—When near New Madrid, Mo., en route from Cairo, Ill., to Arkansas City, Ark., John Conners,a deckhand on steamer- Beaver, fell overboard and drowned.
November 31.—Steamer J. N. Harbin, en route from Carsons landing on the Arkansas River, struck a snag near Bickers landing and sunk. Boat damaged $4,000. No lives lost. Boat has since been raised and repaired.
November 29.—Balus Kelly, a deck hand on U. S. dredge boat Iota, fell overboard at Fleeces crossing, near Memphis, Tenn., and drowned.
November 30.—The license of Philip H. Jost, master and pilot, was revoked for not having on board steamer Jack Rabbit lifeboats and other equipments.
November 30.—Engineer's license of William W. Whittaker was suspended for a period of 30 days for neglecting machinery on steamer Jack Rabbit, which was found in bad condition.
December 2.—Steamer Rees Lee, en route between St. Louis, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn., struck a hidden obstruction, breaking 40 timbers. Damage, $2,000. No lives lost.
December 22.—While en route from Memphis, Tenn., to Ashport, Tenn., steamer Robert E. Lee struck a stump under water and sunk. Damage not known. No lives lost.
December 27.—John Burks, a deck hand, and an unknown deck passenger on steamer Delta engaged in a fight while en route from Vicksburg, Miss., to Memphis, Tenn., when Burks was shot and later died.
E. L. Dohsey, Supervising Inspector, Sixth District.
The Supebvising Inspector-general, Steamboat-inspection Service