River News Columns

Researched by Sharon M. Kouns

IR Aug. 1, 1850 - The Floating Daguerrien Gallery - The Artist.
• This unique looking craft, fitted up expressly for taking Daguerreotype likenesses appeared a few days ago at our wharf [Ironton]. On going on board we found among the specimens, the familiar faces of many old friends and acquaintances, some of whom we had not seen for several years. We could not help thinking that several of them appeared even more natural in picture than they did themselves the last time we saw them. Messrs. Jaquay & Savery are no mean artists. Their apparatus is very complete, and they will be found ready to give satisfaction to all who may employ them. They make Hanging Rock their next point. The people on the river below will do well to give them a call.

IR Sept. 26, 1850
• Memphis, Sept. 21 - The steamer Mohawk arrived here this morning on her way to New Orleans. A steamer (name unknown) sunk near this spot of Ellis Cliff on the Mississippi river on Wednesday night. She was seen by some Negroes making very slow progress up stream, when suddenly she went down with a loud hissing and bubbling. All on board must certainly have perished. The river at that point is very narrow and of great depth.

IR Oct. 3, 1850
• River at fine stage for navigation.
• The line boats from Pittsburgh commenced running - great storm and hail at Pittsburgh.

IR Oct. 10, 1850
• Fulton’s First Steam Voyage …Cleremont....
• Steamer Explosion - The steamboat Financier while ascending the upper Mississippi, on the morning of the 2d inst. When opposite Buffalo burst the connection pipe and almost instantly killed King, son of the Captain, of the boat, and William Green, 2d Engineer. They were both asleep at the time of the accident. Two other persons, the cabin boy and carpenter, were slightly injured. The boat sustained but little damage.

IR Oct. 10, 1850
The rivalry between the steamer Tobacco Plant and Susquehanna is becoming interesting to travelers, as it insures quick trips and low rates. The officers vie with each other in politeness and attention to their passenger’s and no request is refused. It is said that one of these boats was hailed one day last week at a “neck of woods,” by an old lady, who asked the Captain if he would take a dozen peaches to her daughter in St. Louis.
“Certainly, madam,” replied the Captain, with a P’Orsey bow and a bland smile, “it will afford me the most exquisite pleasure to oblige you.”
“But Captain, said the old lady, “I have only eleven, and there is another on the tree that will be ripe in half an hour, if you would have the kindness to wait - “
“Of course, madam, of course - my boat and crew are at your service.”
Seating himself on a log, and consoling himself by whistling, “take your time,” the Captain saw the rival steamer glide past like a streak, but had the satisfaction of knowing that he had secured a new “customer.” St. Gen. Democrat.

IR Oct. 17, 1850 - Steamer Explosion - Loss of Life
• The steamer Kate Fleming, Capt. Dunham from Louisville, bound for Cairo, burst both her boilers on Saturday the 5th about 12 o’clock M., at Walker’s Bar. She had been aground but got off, and had gone but a short distance when the bell rang to go ahead slow, and after making a few revolutions she exploded and afterwards burnt to the waters edge. The cause of the explosion was the want of water in the boilers. Ten or eleven persons were killed and missing and several others wounded.
• The Robert Wightman [blt 1848] is now in the dock, at Cincinnati for repairs. It will be but few days before she will be making her regular, daily trips again. We hope that some of our people will learn in her absence that the little boat is a very great convenience to them and act accordingly.
• Steamboat Accident. - The Meteor No. 3 from Red River to New Orleans was burned and sunk, on the 20th ult., fifty miles above New Orleans. The passengers all escaped with the loss of their baggage. Three colored boys belonging to the boat were lost. Two hundred bales of cotton were burned.
• Pittsburgh, Oct. 14. - River 28 inches and rising slowly - weather pleasant. The steamer J. B. Gordon collapsed a flue yesterday at Logstown. Four persons killed, five or six missing; several scalded. She was bound for Wheeling.
• The Ohio River Improvement - 1 ½ columns - not on microfilm ....
• Regular Big Sandy and Cincinnati Packet - The new and splendid steamer Relief [blt 1848]…Davidson, Master.
• Regular Pomeroy and Portsmouth Packet - Little Boone [blt 1848]- John Brubaker, Master.
• Regular Packet from Ironton to Portsmouth - Robert Wightman [blt 1848]- Sam Folsom, master.

IR Oct. 24, 1850 - The Robert Wightman.
• This fine little packet has again returned from Cincinnati, and, on Monday, resumed her regular trips to Portsmouth. Her hull and machinery are now in first rate running order. We heard from several individuals, while she was gone, remarks like these: “I hope that the Wightman will get back soon.” I don’t know how to get along without the Wightman, &c. &c. That is just it many people while she is running regular, could not seem to think practically that it was any favor or accommodation to have a daily packet to Portsmouth, and were very slow in finding out that they were under any obligations to the boat. But these people were the very first to mourn her absence …. Capt. Folsom.

IR Oct. 24, 1850
• Steamboat accidents are frequent now. Last week we noted three, and this week, we note three more.
• The steamboat Companion collapsed two of her flues a few days since, above Wheeling, killing one person and scalding two others.
• The steamer Federal Arch struck a snag and sunk, last week, down river, with a large lot of hemp for Covington, Ky., which was a total loss; and also the steamer Mustang on the Missouri river, struck a snag and sunk in six foot water; and afterwards broke in two - a total loss.

IR Oct. 31, 1850
• We are under obligation to G. L. Kouns for a bundle of Louisville and St. Louis and Mobile papers.
• Thanks to Mr. J. S. Hurd, clerk of the Zachary Taylor, [blt 1848] for the Cincinnati papers. The Taylor has been thoroughly repaired, and is now running regularly between Big Sandy and Cincinnati. The boat is under charge of men too well known in this vicinity to need commendation.
• Steamboat Directory:
Robert Wightman - Guyandotte to Portsmouth
Little Boone - Pomeroy to Portsmouth
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati Packets
Messenger No. 2, Buckeye State, Keystone State, Hibernia No. 2, Cincinnati, Brilliant.

IR Nov. 7, 1850
• The steamer Tribune from Cincinnati, was burned ninety miles above New Orleans, last Saturday. Most of the cargo is a total loss.