The Louisiana Intelligencer - Steamboat Ben McCulloch Burned Date: Dec. 1999 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Louisiana Intelligencer Wednesday, June 3, 1868 Page 2, Column 7 The Steamboat Ben McCulloch Burned, THREE LIVES LOST. On the night of the 26th the steamboat Ben McCulloch 142 tons running as a packet between Trenton and Camden connecting with the Vicksburg at the former place was burned to the water's edge and sunk at Roland's raft 73 miles above Trenton, and 43 miles above Bayou Bartholomew. She has been making her trips in day time and was laid up at the time of her burning, and had been for some hours previous to the fire being discovered. She had the freight and passengers of the last trip of the Vicksburg-she had on board at the time 13 passenger, 9 men, 3 white ladies and one colored woman. Mrs. And Miss Ryan of Talladega, Alabama and Col. Scott of Hamburg, Arkansas was lost; Miss Ryan was burnt on the boat, her mother drowned. Co. Scott was drown in trying to save his daughter, which he did. When Captain Sinclair and the Engineer first saw the fire the whole forward part of her was burning and with much difficulty that they got the two boats loose, put the passengers in and started them in woods, while the officers, deck-hands and firemen looked out for themselves and had to swim to the trees, climed and remained there the balance of the night while the passengers enjoyed their berths in the yawls below. The water at this point was about 12 feet over the banks, and early the next morning the passengers were started down the river, the deck hands and firemen made a raft out of the drift logs to convey themselves to a more inviting less damp and fertile portion of God's creation. Captain Sinclair paid for her a short time since $6000, and a few weeks ago he insured her for $2000. The Captain, Clerk, Engineer and Watchman came to Monroe on the 27th and entered a protest before Recorder Delery. She proved to be a complete and total loss, neither officers or passengers saved anything but what they had or could hastily get on their persons. The Captain has gone to New Orleans to get another boat to put in the same trade, and we have no doubt that he will get assistance from those interested in the trade and another to answer the requirements. Card of Thanks. Having been most kindly and generously treated by the citizens of Ouachita river therefore, be it resolved 1st That we the officers of the steamer Ben McCulloch thank those gentlemen in name of the passengers and crew for kindness received at their hands. 2d. That especial thanks are due to Mr. O. Johnson at Alabama Landing, Maj. George at Ouachita city, and Mr. W.P. Smith at Port Union, for kindness extended to us on our return from the wreck-and 3d. That we offer our sincere thanks to the citizens of Trenton for the most generous treatment at their hands. JAMES D. SINCLAIR, Master, T.C. WILSON, Eng. JOHN H. POLK, Pilot JOHN A. WALMUS. Watchman. # # #