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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast Civil War History

Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast Civil War History

Posted by Lori Erwin at 1:47 PM

Labels: civil war, fort fisher, Ghost, ghost hunter, haunted cotton exchange, history walking tours, NC seceded, north carolina, Secession, things to do in Wilmington tour old wilmington, tour old wilmington

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A Terrible Steamboat Accident

quivalent 480 lb bales)
1810 3,296 bales 8,172 b

A Terrible Steamboat Accident

steamboat steamer steam boat Cape Fear river NC "North Carolina" Wilmington Fayetteville.

—

Steamer MAGNOLIA WDH07141855

Steamer MAGNOLIA WDH07141855

—

Fayetteville Observer - 9 Feb., 1857

Fayetteville Observer - 9 Feb., 1857

—

WILMINGTON AND

Fayetteville Passenger Line.

THE NEW STEAMER “MAGNOLIA” will leave Fayetteville Tuesdays and Fridays at 15 minutes after sunrise, and Wilmington Wednesdays and Saturdays at o’clock. Passage $4.

T. S. LUTTERLOH.

June 14, 1855

——

Freight and Passenger Line between Wilmington

and Fayetteville.

——

STEAMER MAGNOLIA,

Leaves Fayetteville on Monday and Thursday mornings, 15 minutes after sun-rise.

Leaves Wilmington on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

Steamer FANNY LUTTERLOH, leaves Fayetteville on Tuesday and Friday mornings, 15 minutes after sun-rise.

Leaves Wilmington Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Both carrying Freight and Passengers.

Steamers ROWAN, with full sets of Lighters, runs regularly, carrying Freight only.

The regularity of our Boats on all stages of the River, and the dispatch and promptness in delivering goods, are too well known to require comment.

To our patrons we tender our thanks for the very liberal patronage heretofore bestowed, and can assure all shippers that no effort will be spared in future, and feel confident that our facilities for dispatch are equal if not superior to any line on Cape Fear River.

W. P. ELLIOTT,

Agent for Lutterloh & Co.

Fayetteville, Oct. 1, 1856

[North Carolina Argus – Fayetteville, NC - Saturday, April 25, 1857]

—

A TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT!

MANY LIVES LOST!!

Our community is intensely shocked this morning by intelligence that the Steamer Magnolia, Captain John M. Stedman, burst her boilers and sunk in deep water, near Whitehall, on the Cape Fear River, yesterday morning. A brief letter from one of the passengers sent by private hand to Mr. W. H. Lutterloh, gives us all the reliable news as yet received.

The letter is dated Wednesday 1 o’clock, and at the time of writing the bodies of seven persons had been found. The only names mentioned among the killed are those of Captain Stedman and a negro man Charles, one of the boat’s crew, belonging to Mrs. John Murchison. Thos. S. Lutterloh, Esq., the owner of the Magnolia, was on board and severely hurt.

It is supposed, from the location of the disaster, that there was, as usual, a number of way passengers; and it is feared that some, ladies and children among them, went down with the boat.

Capt. Stedman leaves a large and helpless family, (his wife the daughter of the late Judge Potter.) We learn that he had a Life Policy of $2000 in the Greensborough Mutual Company.

In addition to the above particulars, we have seen a letter from the Rev. A. Paul Repiton, of Wilmington, who was a passenger on the Magnolia, and who writes from the W. & M. Rail Road, (9 miles from the scene of the disaster,) which he had reached on his return to Wilmington. He says,–

“By request of Mr. Lutterloh, of your place, I write to inform you that the Magnolia burst her boiler last night about 12 o’clock. Some 12 or 15 passengers are dead. Capt. Stedman is also among the missing, and had not been found up to the time I left White Hall, where the accident happened. Mr. Lutterloh has sustained no injury except in his left shoulder, which it is thought may be dislocated. I left him at White Hall, where he requested me to write from this point for the sake of his family.”

[Fayetteville Observer – Thursday Evening, February 18, 1858]

—

FATAL STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT.

We learn that about midnight of Tuesday last, the Steamer Magnolia of the Lutterloh line, which left this place on the afternoon of the same day, stopped at Whitehall landing, Bladen county, some forty-nine miles from Wilmington, to put a passenger ashore. While at the landing, her boiler exploded, making a complete wreck of the boat, and killing and wounding a number of persons. The following are all the particulars of the loss of life that we have been able to learn.

White Persons Killed. – Capt. Stedman, commander of the boat, Dr. Fellows, a young gentleman from Philadelphia, said to have been raised in Sampson; Mr. Tyson; a female from Wilmington, and boy about eight years old, — neither names known.

Colored Persons Killed. — Simon, the cook; Charles, the Pilot, and two or three others. – names unknown. A colored man named Carver, or Carter, was mortally wounded, and another colored man badly hurt, although he may possibly recover.

Mr. T. S. Lutterloh of Fayetteville, was pretty severely injured in the shoulder, but his situation is not supposed to be dangerous. It is proper to remark that the body of Captain Stedman has not been found, but no doubts are entertained of his death. It is believed that some fifteen persons were killed, but our accounts are very meager. Rev. A. P. Repiton, of Wilmington, was on board and made a narrow escape. There were some thirty passengers aboard. The boat was valued at $10,000 . No insurance.

P. S. — We learn that a man named George Payman, or Pearman, from Wilmington, was aboard, accompanying a corpse, which he was carrying up to Fayetteville for interment. The coffin and what it contained were blown to pieces, and the many has not been heard of, so that there is too much reason to fear that he also has been killed.

[Wilmington Daily Journal -- Thursday Evening, February 18, 1858]

—

THE EXPLOSION ON BOARD THE MAGNOLIA.—The only additional particulars of this melancholy affair that we have received, are contained in the communication of our attentive correspondent “Bladen,” who has our thanks for his courtesy. We would also call attention to the advertisement of Mr. Sikes, who seeks an owner for one hundred and twenty-two dollars in gold found in a buckskin purse, hanging to an oak near the scene of the accident. The scene must, indeed, have presented a melancholy and pitiable sight, as described by our correspondent, and the news will carry wailing and distress to many a fireside.

—–

For the Journal.

WHITE HALL, Feb. 17^th, 1858.

MESSRS. EDITORS: An awful and heart-rending scene is presented here this morning.

On last night, (Tuesday, the 16^th inst.,) at 12 o’clock, the steamer Magnolia, Capt. Stedman, while delivering passengers and freight at this place, exploded her boilers, scattering wreck, ruin and death around. I have only time to state a few of the particulars.

Among the whites we have found

Captain John Stedman, killed.

Dr. Milton Fellows, of Bladen, killed.

Thomas J. Tyson, of Cumberland, killed.

James O. West, of Bladen, on the boat, not found.

Susan E. Larry, (or Leary,) formerly of Marion C. H., S. C., late of Norfolk, Va., on the boat, not found.

A small boy named Andrew Bell, on the boat, not found.

Negroes. — Five dead bodies found.

It is though that from five to ten others, white and black, are lsot.

Badly Hurt. – T. S. Lutterloh, arm broken, doing well; Geo. Peaman, Wilmington, badly scalded and otherwise injured; Archibald McRae, son of John McRae, of Harnett county, badly burned; together with several others.

The boat is a total ruin. Parts of her hull, machinery and apparel cover the shore for two hundred yards around.

Harrison Driver, the mate, after being blown overboard into the river, swam to the flat lying at the landing, and was instantly active and efficient in rendering relief. Driver’s conduct merits much praise. The sufferers are being well attended to.

Those of the whites, not here named, who were known to have been on the boat, are saved.

The most melancholy and pitiable sight is presented here. Frightful and horribly distorted corpses lie scattered around. Yours in great haste,

BLADEN.

[Wilmington Daily Journal – Friday Evening, February 19, 1858]

—

THE WHITEHALL DISASTER.—Nothing positive has been added to the statement published in the last Observer, except the names (in part) of the killed and wounded. We have been unable to obtain a list of those on board the Magnolia, (supposed to number 35 to 40) at the time of the explosion, or a complete list of the saved. Eleven persons are known to have been killed, and one of the wounded negroes has since died. From five to ten other negroes are reported among the missing, and are believed to have been killed.

The fullest statement we have seen is contained in the annexed letter, which from its date, should have reached us in time for the last Observer, but only came to hand by yesterday’s (Sunday) mail.

The general opinion here as to the cause of the disaster differs from that entertained by our correspondent’s informants. It is most commonly supposed that the explosion was caused by the rush of cold water upon the heated and exhausted boilers; not by a head of steam too large for their capacity. We have heard that the Magnolia was permitted by the U. S. Examining Officer to carry 125 lbs., and that there were not on board weights to enable her to carry more. But all these matters will of course be investigated, and it is proper in the meantime that the views of those on board should be made known, as they are by our correspondent, that if erroneous, they may be rectified. Mr. Lutterloh, as soon as he recovers, intends, as we hear, to make a thorough investigation.

Letter to the Editors of the Observer, dated,

ELIZABETHTOWN, Feb. 17, 1858.

MESSRS. EDITORS: The citizens of this community were called upon, on yesterday, to witness the most melancholy and awful scene perhaps ever exhibited within the borders of our State.

The steamer Magnolia, Captain John M. Stedman, while lying at the wharf at Whitehall, on Tuesday night the 16^th inst., exploded her boilers, scattering wreck and death on every hand!

From all the information which I could gather in the hurry and confusion incident to this accident, it appears that the boat had been running under unusual pressure of steam, which was not permitted to escape after she was stopped to deliver a passenger and a few articles of freight. The fire in the furnace was very high, steam was fast generating, and an additional weight having been applied to the lever which commands the escape at the safety-valve, no change was given it to expend its force, save in the way it did.

At about the hour of 11 o’clock “there came a burst of thunder sound,” shaking, jarring and blowing into a million of atoms the hull, apparel and machinery of the boat, and hurling for hundreds of feet on every side human bodies, fragments of iron, wood and clothing, strewing and lining the shore so completely with particles of the wreck that one could scarcely have escaped unhurt had he been standing a hundred feet away on any side.

The report of the explosion was heard for nine miles so distinctly as to awaken persons from sleep.

The boiler, weighing two or three thousand pounds, was blown at least three hundred feet over a store-house some 30 or 40 feet high, striking in its flight and breaking a stick of ton-timber 16 inches square, upsetting two others, and cutting off two trees at least eight inches through!

Of the immense force exerted in this explosion, I can give you no adequate idea. Description is too meager to convey a commensurate sense of it. Bolts and bars of iron were cast as mere playthings from its giant blast. The tree-tops round about are hung full of great sheets of the deck, and articles of clothing flutter from the branches as though they had been vomited from her boiling cauldron and hung there to dry.* A portion of a door, with the lock attached, was found at least six hundred feet from the wreck!

The hull of the boat is torn to fragments, and presents the idea of a huge mastodonic skeleton exhumed, with its big ribs alone remaining to outline its form!

One can hardly conceive that so much force and power could possibly be shut up and confined in so small a compass. In short, sirs, the Magnolia is a total wreck. Her furniture, machinery and fixments generally are torn into fragments. Had natural and artificial force combined to despoil her of her fair proportions, they could not have succeeded more effectually in accomplishing her end.

I am not, at this time, sufficiently quiet in feeling to give you a particular account of all that this scene presented. I have not been accustomed to look upon death in such hideous and distorted shapes as there seemed to mock the observer. Here and there lay the dead, bruised, blackened and mangled; ghastly wounds, exuding blood, shocked me on every side, and my tears were dried up in their very fountain by this sirocco of death! May it never blow in our midst again!

Among the whites killed the bodies of the following persons have been found: Capt. John M. Stedman, dreadfully torn and disfigured; Dr. Milton Fellows of Bladen, (a bar or bolt of iron entered his throat just under his chin, and passed out at or near the mould of his head); Thomas I. Tyson, Cedar Creek, Cumberland.

In addition, the following whites are thought to have been killed,–(they were known to have been on the boat and have not since been heard from)—James O. West, Bladen; Susan E. Leary, formerly of Marion Court House, S. C., late of Norfolk, Va.; Andrew Bell, a small boy, in company with the above.

Among the negroes, have been found the bodies of five. It is believed that from five to ten others are lost.

Wounded.— Mr. Lutterloh,, arm broken and bruised—doing well; Arch’d, son of John McRae, of Harnet, badly scalded; George Pearman, Wilmington, slightly scalded and otherwise injured; several negroes, one mortally.

——

Mr. John W. Sikes advertises in the Wilmington Journal for the owner of $122 in gold, found in a buck-skin purse hanging to an oak near the scene of the disaster.—OBS.

It is thought that at least thirteen lives have been lost by this explosion. It is not for me to say how it occurred. No one can tell positively where the blame, if any, should lie.

I have been told that one of the Captains of the boats on the River gives it as his opinion that the boiler exploded from gas; that the boiler was perfect and capable of resisting a pressure of one hundred and sixty pounds of steam without danger, if properly supplied with water. Persons who were on the boat, however, generally believe that she was carrying too much steam.

Great credit is due to Harrison Driver, the mate, for his very prompt and efficient services in rendering relief. Driver was thrown overboard into the River, but, with great presence of mind, he swam to the ferry flat with which he was instantly active at the wreck.

There is a sad and poignant regret in the death of poor Fellows. He had labored hard and sedulously against opposing circumstances in life to acquire a place in the Medical profession, and was just returning from Philadelphia, ‘bouyant and happy, to his home and friends, when, alas for human hopes and promises! he was cut down at the very threshold!

——“Earthly things

Are but the transient pageant of an hour,

And earthly pride is like the passing flower

That springs to fall, and blossoms but to die.”

In a hasty and random way I have noted some few incidents of this calamitous mishap. It came upon us “as a thief in the night.” Let us hope that our eyes may never look upon its like again, and that God may so comfort the heart of the widow and the fatherless, as ere long sunshine and joy may take the place of sadness and sorrow.

P. S. Driver, the mate, testified before the jury of inquest that the boat had been running for several weeks without the services of the steam-guage,–by guess. The guage was out of fix. The community should have known this, or the boat should have been taken from her work.

BLADEN.

[finger pointing >] Just as we are going to press, we learn from Mr. T. S. Lutterloh, that the statement as to the Steam-Guage is entirely without foundation, as he knows from personal examination.

——

The remains of Capt. John M. Stedman, of the ill-fated steamer Magnolia, were followed to the grave, on Friday afternoon, by the Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Company, and a large number of citizens. A tribute to his memory, handed us this morning by one who knew and loved him well, we are compelled by press of matter to postpone till Thursday.

[Fayetteville Observer – Monday Evening, February 22, 1858]

—

FOR THE OBSERVER.

MESSRS. HALE:–Gentlemen: Will you kindly allow me space in the Observer for a brief tribute to the memory of Mr. Fellow, medical student, on the Magnolia at the time of the explosion. He was indeed a worthy young man: for a stranger to know him was to respect and admire him; for friends to be associated with him was to love him. John Milton Fellow is lost to us,–struck down in the dawn of usefulness to his countrymen, of honorable advancement to himself,–one likely to have proved an ornament to any community, an undoubted credit to this his native State. Again we are invited to repeat the poetic sentiment—alas, too often realized!—“Death loves a shining mark.” Again we are summoned to bow, mutely resigned, beneath the weight of an inscrutable dispensation of Providence. We are smitten—we are smitten with the rod of affliction; but let us not presume to murmur, let not the bereaved mourn us those without hope—without Heavenly Consolation.

“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense;

But trust Him for His grace

Behind a frowning Providence

He hides a shining face.”

SENEX.

Mt. Zion, South River, 8^th March.

——

An Incident.—A friend sends the following: When the Magnolia exploded on the Cape Fear, an old negro man, the cook, was fatally injured. Being found horribly scalded he seemed cheerful and happy, and exclaimed “Glory to god. I am going home to heaven.” It was astonishing to observe the difference in death, between the triumph of this poor old negro, and others whose tortures did not appear to be alleviated by the Christian’s faith. “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”

N. C. Christian Advocate.

Poor old Simon! For about forty years he was a faithful steward, mostly on one boat—the old Henrietta — on the Cape Fear. He was faithful in life,, and was not without Hope in his death.

[Fayetteville Observer – March 15, 1858]

—

Excerpt from the article, “THE STEAMER R. E. LEE”, regarding her boiler explosion in August of 1871.

“… the the same engine and machinery now on the Lee was used on the ill fated Magnolia that blew up near White Hall in 1858, when Capt. J. M. Steadman and others were killed…”

[The Eagle – Fayetteville, NC – Thursday, August 24, 1871]

—

John Madison Stedman marker in Cross Creek Cemetery, Fayetteville, NC.

John Madison Stedman Grave Marker

John Madison Stedman Grave Marker

—

The Cape Fear River Steamers

https://bgibson135.wordpress.com

ales est.
1830 17,571 bales est.
1840 34,617 bales
1850 73,845 bales
1860 145,514 bales
1870 203,000 bales
1880 446,000 bales
1890 509,000 bales
1900 497,000 bales
1910 735,000 bales
1920 961,000 bales
1930 803,000 bales
1940 770,000 bales
1950 181,000 bales
1960 231,000 bales
1970 155,000 bales
1980 52,000 bales
1990 263,000 bales
2000 1,429,000 bales
*source: 1870 - present are from the NC Agriculture Department; statistics prior to 1840 are unreliable; our estimates are statistical projections
derived from U.S. cotton
crop figures.
Note: cotton bales did not
reach the standard 480 lb
rate until 1880s-1940s.
Therefore, these equivalent
480 lb bales do not reflect the
actual number of bales made.
For example, in 1810, the
average bale weighted 228 lbs.;
1820 - 297 lbs.; 1830 - 341
lbs.; 1840 - 394 lbs.; 1850 -
414 lbs; 1860 - 477 lbs.

Cotton Prices (upland, per lb.)
1810 18.9 cents
1820 16.8 cents
1830 12.2 cents
1840 10.7 cents
1850 16.1 cents
1860 12.4 cents
1864 141.9 cents
1870 18.2 cents
1880 14.1 cents
1890 11.1 cents
1900 12.0 cents
1910 14.1 cents
1920 14.8 cents
1930 9.6 cents
1940 9.9 cents
1950 41.0 cents
1960 33.3 cents
1970 22.5 cents
1980 79.5 cents
1990 69.0 cents
2000 53.0 cents

OUR RIVER DISASTER.

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The Steamer CHATHAM »

13 Oct

Our River Disaster – Colville

Posted October 13, 2010 by bgibson135 in The Boats. Comments Off

OUR RIVER DISASTER.

The Steamer Colville Gets Seven

Holes Snagged in Her Bottom

And Sinks in the Oconee—

Is Resurrected After Lying

Three Days in her Watery

Grave.

On the morning of the 20^th inst. The steamer Colville left the Dublin wharf with seventy bales of cotton for the Central Railroad. She proceeded prosperously up the river till about three miles above town, when the bow struck a rock causing the stern to dip and the prow to shoot up, and fall with great violence on the rocky bottom. Seven holes were pierced in the bottom and the water soon rushed in and filled the boat. She sank, or rather lodged, in water about five feet deep, leaving the lower deck above water’s edge. The cotton being put ashore, and men and buckets sent for, Capt. Henry set to work to patch up and bale out the water. After working three days and two nights, he succeeded in again setting her afloat, and returned to Dublin with her. An effort will be made to repair the boat at the Dublin wharf.

——-

Boat for the Oconee and

Ocmulgee Rivers.

The Savannah Recorder “understands that a fine steamer is to be placed upon the route between Savannah and Dublin, touching at all points on the Oconee, and proceeding on each trip to Hawkinsville, stopping at all landings on the Ocmulgee both to land and receive freight.”

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., November 27, 1878]

The Colville came down on last Saturday morning from the railroad, where she had been lying up several weeks undergoing repairs.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., April 9, 1879]

The Colville says it intends to make a trip weekly. It will work on the river five days each week, and take one, Saturday, to run up to the railroad and get all the freight there and bring it down, thus allowing the hands to spend the Sabbath in town.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., April 30, 1879]

We hear that Judge Wolfe contemplates building a warehouse in town for storing freights brought down by the Colville.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., May 14, 1879]

The Colville came down last Monday evening for the first time in many weeks.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., July 23, 1879]

Capt. Henry returned last week from the old North State with a Carolina bride.

—–

The Colville left Dublin one day last week with 200 barrels of rosin; but grounded on the way, and waits for rain.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., July 30, 1878]

The river is up and the Colville is running.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., August 6, 1879]

The Colville met with another mishap last week. While being windlassed over Carr Shoals the rope broke and she fell back with such momentum that her bottom reached the rocky river bed which disabled her. The flat, Cyclone, which was being towed by the Colville was also sunk. But they have both been raised and brought back to the Dublin wharf.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., September 3, 1879]

The Colville lies idle at the Dublin landing and the flat does the freighting.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., September 17, 1879]

Cotton is being wagoned from Dublin to the railroad while the Colville looks idly on.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., October 1, 1879]

The Colville took down to Silver Leaf last Friday about one hundred sacks of guano.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., February 11, 1880]

More rain last Friday night and the Colville is again hopeful of getting along as well as could be expected.

—–

The Colville went off Thursday and failed to put in its appearance again till Monday night. This caused some apprehension among parties having goods aboard.

—–

The Cyclone Goes Down.

On last Friday as the “Cyclone,” which is the grand, gloomy and peculiar name of the flat which accompanies the Colville, was coming down with twenty tons of Mr. T. H. Rowe’s guano she went down. The nature of the mishap which carried her under we failed to learn. Most of the guano was recovered in a damaged condition. The boat company takes it off of Mr. Rowe’s hands and Mr. Rowe will immediately order twenty tons more to prevent disappointment to his customers.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., February 25, 1880]

Couldn’t Stem the Current.

Monday morning when the Colville weighed anchor from the landing, just above the ferry chain, she found she was unable to stem the current, but was swept down against the ferry chair, which was snapped. She finally recovered and went her way rejoicing.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., March 17, 1880]

The Colville whistled up and steamed off up the river Monday for the first time since – well, it has been so long we can’t remember when she did make her last trip.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., September 21, 1881]

With the Wadley down the river engaged in the turpentine traffic and the Laurens condemned by the Government inspectors. Dublin merchants are having a hard time of it in securing their freights from Raoul Station. Cotton is accumulating also, at this point, and the chances are that it will continue to accumulate for some little time before a chance for shipment occurs. Just at this time the Wadley cannot come up to lend a helping hand, and as a last resource an attempt is being made to induce the Cumberland to come up and carry off a load of cotton. Whether the effort will succeed or not is doubtful.

—–

The Wadley.

A recent letter from Capt. R. L. Hicks, of the steamer Wm. M. Wadley, says that steamboating down the river is exceptionally good – plenty of work and good water – and that the Wadley is forever on the go. Vast quantities of turpentine has accumulated all along the river and steamboatmen have their hands full. He also tells of a race which recently occurred between the Wadley and the Cumberland. The race was between Gray’s Landing and Doctortown a distance of 111 miles. The Wadley made the trip, unloaded and reloaded her freight and met the Cumberland 30 miles down the river, running 161 miles while the Cumberland ran 81. The Cumberland has always been recognized as the fastest boat on the Oconee river, but she sadly overestimated her speed when she tackled her new competitor, the sprightly Billy. Capt. Bla?? Knew what he was talking about when he said, “The Wadley will show a clear pair of heels.”

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., January 9, 1884]

A Guano Boat Sinks in The Ocmulgee.

Hawkinsville Dispatch.

On the way to Hawkinsville last week, at a point about twenty miles below here, the steamer Cumberland came round a bend in the river and unexpectedly met the flat boat “Poor Robin,” loaded with guano to Mr. Norman Duster and other citizens of Wilcox county. The flat boat was heavily loaded, almost to the water’s edge, and the meeting was so sudden the steamer Cumberland was not able to reverse her wheels and back out of the way in time. The waves were rolling very high, and the crew on “Poor Robin” had no means of checking their boat, and the waves rolled over it, sinking it in about six or seven feet of water. The Cumberland put out her life boats and picked up the crew of the “Poor Robin,” and brought them to a landing point up the river.

Mr. Thomas Dixon, the purser of the Cumberland, who furnished us with the details of the accident, thinks that the “Poor Robin” may be raised and a few tons of the guano saved.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., Wednesday, April 20, 1881]

The steamer Cumberland, well-known here was recently carried b her somnambulistic pilot from the channel of the river into the timber, where she attempted to remove a large tree from her path by butting. Finale: A boat laid up for repairs and a pilot in search of a situation.

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Reports from the Wadley say that she continues to bear the name of being the fastest boat plying the waters between here and Savannah, and that she is universally popular among the turpentine men. Owning to the Cumberland being laid up for repairs the Wadley will commence making two trips a week between Doctortown and Wilcox’s Old Lake. When you take in consideration the fact that the distance between the two places is about 250 miles, and that the facilities for loading and unloading along the river are of the worst kind, some idea of the Wadley ??y’s speed may be attained. She will be running 1,000 miles every week and making all the landings on the Ocmulgee river, which by the way, are not few in number. And yet it is claimed with two sets of hands she could make three trips a week and instead of two. Capt. Hicks has a bonanza in his new boat.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., February 13, 1884]

ALTAMAHA ITEMS.

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Something About Steamboats,

Railroads and Naval

Stores Business.

—–

[Correspondence Savannah Weekly News.

DOCTORTOWN, Ga., Feb. 19.—In my former communication I promised to advise your readers of any improvements to facilitate navigation, and report with much pleasure and satisfaction the successful effects in this direction of United States steamer Tocoa, under command of Capt. Westerfield. Personal observation, as well as the statements of river pilots, established the fact that the once almost impassable shoals at Piney and Town Bluffs have yielded to dynamite, and a fair channel over these points is now open. Numbers of snags and other obstructions have been removed and the boat is still doing good service, but unfortunately, the appropriation is about exhausted, and we trust our representatives, Cols. Nicholls and Blount, will not fail to urge the very modest sum asked for by the Engineer Corps to complete that which has been so happily commenced. This is a matter beneficial not alone to our town citizens, but particularly so to many of your own flourishing and beautiful city.

Messrs. J. K. Clarke & Co., of Savannah, do so immense business at English Eddy, and the thirty four manufacturers of naval stores on the banks of the three rivers are mainly indebted to the capital of your enterprising merchants for carrying on the business. Flourishing country stores are on almost every bank whose supplies are drawn from your city, via the railroads and river boats.

Three fine steamers now make connection with the Savannah Florida and Western at Doctortown, and still another from cape Fear river N. C., will be added to our line. One of the number (though I by no means disparage the others) I desire especially to commend to your citizens, being a purely Georgia institution, and admirably adapted to the trade. She was built at Dublin Laurens county, by Capt. Blaine, of Columbus, one of the most compe??? Steamboat designers and builders in the State. Her frame and timber are of Georgia white oak, her planking of the finest Georgia yellow pine machinery and boilers of latest improved style, manufactured at the Columbus Iron Works; length 114 feet by 22 beam; capacity from 700 to 800 barrels naval stores; draws light but 14 inches of water, and consequently can navigate our stream when the others, by reason of greater depth, are unable to run. Her commander and part owner, Capt. R. L. Hicks, is by birth a Georgian, a graduate of the University of Virginia, a strict temperance man, fine disciplinarian and a thorough worker. This boat bears the name of the late distinguished and lamented Wm. M. Wadley.

Mr. Editor, as I look back to years numbered with the past, the idea forces itself upon my mind that were it possible for this great railroad chieftain to rise from his grave, he would be tempted to tear his honored name from the pilot house of this steamer for daring to convey even one bale of cotton from his beloved Central. She was originally intended to ply between Dublin and the Central Road, but owing to unreliability of the waters of the Oconee and misunderstanding with officials of that road, she was transferred to this river, and under the management of her gallant and genial captain, is doing good service.

What a change since the great Wadley lived and ruled. He would now see magnificent through Pullman sleepers crowded with tourists from the North and West passing within sight of his last resting place, and could his vision follow would see them transferred from his great thoroughfare to long trains of palace cars on that once despised, but now courted, Savannah, Florida and Western, and speeding over??? Rails for the Land of Flowers at the rate of 40 miles an hour. Would he not exclaim it cannot be true, 'tis surely an illusion. He lived for his Central, died its chief, and his memory is enshrined in many grateful hearts.

ALTAMAHA.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., March 5, 1884]

River Notes.

The Hawkinsville News has this item: “We learn that in a few weeks, a new line of boats will be placed on the river between this place and the Altamaha. The boats will be owned and run by Messrs. W. A. Jeter & Co, and will be run in connection with the East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia railroad.”

Morning News: The steamer North State arrived last night about 9 o’clock from Wilmington, N. C., bound for Darien, where she will ply between that place and Doctortown on the Altamaha river, in connection with the steamer Governor Worth between this port and Darien. The Governor Worth will arrive here in a few days. They are both sternwheel steamers, but are great carriers and this line will be a decided acquisition to the merchants along the Altamaha river.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., March 12, 1884]

“… Capt. Jeter was one of the movers of the Hawkinsville Navigation Company which sought to put in operation a through line of steamers to Savannah last summer, but owing to certain difficulties hard to overcome the project was abandoned. ..”

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., December 10, 1884]

Mr. F. G. Parnall, once a watchman on the North State, is now on the police force at Savannah. Much success to Frank.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., December 2, 1885]

Dr. Henry and Mr. T. B. Hicks left on the North State for Doctortown on Thursday last.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., February 25, 1885]

The steamer North State arrived yesterday afternoon with a large cargo of guano. She is considered the swiftest boat on the rivers.

[The Dublin Post – Dublin, GA., February 11, 1885]

The Steamer COTTON PLANT

The Steamer COTTON PLANT

Steamer Cotton Plant.

[steamboat image] THE new Steamer Cotton Plant, in connection with suitable Tow Boats, will commence operating on the Cape Fear River in fifteen or twenty days. The Proprietor is now constructing on the River bank a commodious Warehouse, where Goods and Merchandise, to and from the Interior, may be stored, free of charge and in comparative safety from the danger of Fire. Such fixtures will be connected with the Warehouse as to land goods in better order than formerly, and without incurring the expense of drayage. The Cotton Plant is entirely new, with a draft of water adapted to the River navigation, and offers to the public the surest and most convenient mode of Transportation. Goods and Merchandize will be received and forwarded at the customary rates by

DOYLE O’HANLON.

Agent at Wilmington, N. C.

THOS. SANDFORD & CO.

Agent at Fayetteville, N. C.

Fayetteville, March 10, 1837. 32tf

The Charlotte Journal, Salisbury Watchman, Lincolnton Transcript, Rutherfordton Gazette, Greensborough Telescope, Hillsborough Recorder, Raleigh Register, Salem Scrap Book, Ashborough Citizen and Wilmington Advertiser will insert the above 3 weeks.

[Fayetteville Observer – Thursday, March 16, 1837]

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Cotton Plant Arrival Fayetteville - North Carolinian 06081839

Cotton Plant Arrival Fayetteville - North Carolinian 06081839

—

FOR SALE.

——

The Cotton Plant Line of Steam
Boats and her Pole Boats.

——

THE Proprietor, finding his health not adequate to the task of keeping up the Line, is determined to sell.

The Line consists of the TWO STEAM BOATS, the Cotton Plant and the Wm. B. Meares. The latter is a New Boat, of 200 tons, built of the best materials, draws when light 28 inches, and 3 ½ feet when loaded. The character of these Boats is so well established, that further description is unnecessary. In addition there are FOUR POLE BOATS, two of them new and two second hand. These are quite sufficient to serve as Lighters, and make the Line complete, and fully adequate to the wants of the River, either in high or low Water. If not disposed of by the first day of June, they will be offered for Sale at Public Auction on that day, at the Market House in Fayetteville, on liberal terms, to be made known at the sale. The Books and accounts of the Line are at Mr. John Waddill’s Store, and may be inspected by persons wishing to purchase, and will show the value and profit of the Business. Applications can be made to the Subscriber at his residence, or to the Auctioneer.

DOYLE O’HANLON, Proprietor.

E. W. WILKINGS, Auctioneer.

May 14, 1845. 58-ts

[Fayetteville Observer – Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1845]

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Agency Cape Fear Steam Boat Company, }

March 11, 1846. }

THE CAPE FEAR STEAM BOAT COMPANY, having thoroughly placed in order the favorite Steamer, Cotton Plant, and being now building Lighters of the most approved style, peculiarly adapted to the low stages of the River, are prepared to give despatch to Goods to Fayetteville, and the interior, on the most favorable terms. The keel of a new Steamer has been laid, which will soon be completed, of such light draught of water, as to suit all stages of the River, and which in lightness of draught, WILL NEVER BE SURPASSED.

Goods will be received, and forwarded promptly, through Wilmington, free of all charges for Storage, Drayage, Wharfage, and Commissions; and will be attended to at Fayetteville, free of Commission. Goods can be stored there, up town or at the river, as shippers may desire.

The Cape Fear Steam Boat Company are determined to carry Goods on as favorable terms as any other Company; and from the long experience of their agents at Wilmington and Fayetteville, have no doubt of giving their friends entire satisfaction.

Letters addressed to the Agents, at either Fayetteville or Wilmington, will meet with prompt attention.

E. W. WILLKINGS,

Agent at Fayetteville.

ROBT. G. RANKIN,

Agent at Wilmington.

2-3w

[Fayetteville Observer - Tuesday Afternoon - March 17 1846]

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[NOTE: See Cotton Plant II info on NC Business History web site.]

Steamboats in North Carolina

Steamboats in North Carolina The earliest steamboat to ply the North Carolina waters apparently was the Sea Horse in 1818, followed closely by the Steamer Norfolk. The first steamboat built in North Carolina was the Henrietta, constructed in Fayetteville and launched April 1818. However, the Prometheus, also
	built in 1818 (Swansboro), began service first. North Carolina rivers always posed problems with their shallow waters, especially beyond the tide water areas. Operating in the coastal portion of the Cape Fear River, the Prometheus could sail as soon as ready, while the Henrietta was held up due to low water. A complete listing of merchant (passenger and freight) steamboats working North Carolina rivers can be accessed by clicking on these hyperlinks, Steamers in North Carolina from 1812 to 1849 (click link) Steamers in North Carolina from 1850 to 1860 (click link) Steamers in North Carolina from 1861 to 1880 (click link) Steamers in North Carolina from 1881 to 1899 (click link) as well as a list of early steamboat companies and lines. Click here for an alphabetic listing of 19th Century Steamboats. For this site, steamships are considered a separate category. Steamships were generally ocean-going vessels with a combination of sails and a steam engine(s), propelling side wheels or screw drives. In the future, this web site will also list steamships arriving and debarking from North Carolina ports. Transportation always posed problems for residents of North Carolina. Barrier islands and limited rivers with poor navigation were just a couple of problems faced by farmers and businessmen. North Carolina rivers are generally not very deep, leading to development of steamboats that could draft over the numerous shallows. Plus there were many efforts to keep rivers dredged and occasionally building locks to increase river depths or circumvent rapids. The first steamboats concentrated in the Wilmington area, the state's best port. Steamboats could go up the Cape Fear River as far as Fayetteville, which boomed as a market city in the early 35 years of the 1800s. Wilmington also was a port of call for many of the ocean-going steamships traveling between Charleston, SC, and ports up the East Coast. Steamboats also started working the sounds behind the Outer Bank, and later in the late 1820s and 30s the Dismal Swamp Canal from the sounds to Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA. A significant shipbuilding industry was created in Fayetteville, Wilmington and Washington, NC. The heyday of steamboating was from 1818 to the Civil War, although steamboats continued to operate in North Carolina into the first two decades of the 20th Century.	R.M. Orrell owned and operated a fleet of steamboats after the Civil War from Fayetteville. An ad for his namesake, launched in 1866 and then later abandoned in 1871. See NC steamboat list prior to 1900. 1830s drawing (left) of the Dismal Swamp Canal with steamer and boats near Lake Drummond Hotel. Steamer Cape Fear (left bottom) at her dock in Fayetteville, NC.

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