The Ouachita Telegraph - Steamer Ben McCullough Burns, Killing Three Date: Mar. 2004 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Ouachita Telegraph June 3, 1868 Page 2, Column 3 Burning of the Steamer Ben McCullough. AN APPALLING DISASTER! THREE LIVES LOST! OFFICER'S STATEMENT. One of the most shocking steamboat disasters which has ever occurred on the upper Ouachita, occurred on the morning of the 26th ult., at about 1 o'clock, at Rowland's Raft some 70 miles above Monroe. The Steamer Ben McCullough, bound for Camden, reached that landing at 11 o'clock p.m., and having only a single crew, tied up for the remainder of the night. At the present high stage of water, the river overflows a large extent of country about the Raft, and is now, overflow and all, some eight miles wide. The boat was made fast to a tree growing on the bank which is now covered with perhaps 12 feet (of) water. The passengers, numbering thirteen, and the crew, had all retired with the exception of the watchman and also two gentlemen who where (sic) unable to obtain berths. These two passengers state that at about 1 o'clock they perceived an unusual light proceeding from the lower deck, and upon examining for the cause discovered that a quantity of pine wood which had been taken aboard before reaching the overflow, was on fire. They immediately gave the alarm by ringing the boat's bell. Every one on the boat seemed to be aroused almost instantly, but rapid as were their movements none of them had time to dress but were compelled by the devouring element to rush forth in their night clothes to effect their escape. The pine wood was very dry and being near the boilers was no doubt heated while the boat had been recently painted; so that, the flames ran over the doomed craft with the same rapidity they would over shavings or dry tinder. No effort to suppress the fire could be undertaken there was no time for anything but escape. The McCullough was provided fortunately with two boats. These had been lowered in the meantime, by the negro deck-hands, and held in readiness for the officers and passengers. The boats were rapidly filled and when they could carry no more were made clear of the wreck and steered for the timber. The nearest land was 4 miles the night dark, and the overflow unknown to any of the party. Hence, the poor victims, shivering in their night clothes, had to take trees for safety, where perched upon a friendly limb they witnessed the conflagration (sic) and spent the remainder of that miserable night. It was supposed at first by the survivors that all were saved, as when the last boat left no one could be seen on the buring wreck nor had any one been seen to perish in the water. But among the passengers was an old gentleman known as Col. Scott who was going to his home at Hamburg, Arkansas, and had his daughter, a young lady grown along. He is among the missing. Mrs. And Miss Ryan, mother and daughter, from Talledega, Ala., who were going to Camden to visit another daughter of Mrs. Ryan, and who were traveling alone, have never been seen or heard from since they retired at night. Mr. Wilson, the engineer, states that he went into all the ladies' staterooms before leaving the boat, to arouse the inmates, but found them all gone. A passenger, who was among the last to get off, states that he saw no ladies aboard when he left nor did he hear any screams, or cries for help. It is probable that the two ladies jumped overboard at the first alarm, as did Miss Scott (who was saved by clinging to the rudder) and were drowned before any one had time even to think of them; although, we have heard the report that Mrs. Ryan was seen to jump in the water at someone's request, and immediately sank, while her daughter refused to take the leap and perished in the flames. The passengers and crew managed to get down the river to Ouachita City in the afternoon following the disaster, where they were entertained and provided for in a most hospitable manner, as was also the case at Alabama Landing. The officers pushed on to Trenton expecting to get the Pioneer and and (sic) complete the trip to Camden, but found her tied up awaiting a controversy as to her ownership, and were therefore unable to charter her. Capt. St. Clair, the owner and master of the McCullough, is a severe loser. The boat was insured for $3,000 only, and was worth $7,000. The Captain loses, with what funds he had on hand, some nine or ten thousand dollars. But three of all the twenty-seven on board saved anything not even so much as a suit of clothes, and were compelled to take the canoe journey down, under a buring sun, just as they were dressed when they left their beds. Great credit is due the negro deck hands who manned the boats, but refused to push off even though orderd and entreated by some who were frightened, until it appeared useless to remain any longer. The circumstances attending this disaster make it one of the most melancholy and appalling we have ever had occasion to notice, and long and ineffacable must be the recollection of that night of horrors and of death to those who survived it. The fate of the lost who were so suddenly aroused from slumber and ushered as suddenly into eternity, excites the commiseration and sympathy of all, and throws around the midnight revel of the flames in that wild waste of muddy water a shadow of deepest gloom and awe. # # #