The Ouachita Telegraph - The Corona Disaster Date: Aug 2001 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, October 5, 1889 Page 2, Column 1 THE CORONA DISASTER. We publish elsewhere all the particulars obtainable at this time of the fearful Corona disaster in which so many lives were lost, among them several of the relatives and friends of all the people from the Red river to Monroe. Heading the list of the lost is the name of Capt. J.W. Blanks, President of the Ouachita River Consolidated Line and commander of the ill-fated Corona. He was connected by the ties of blood and friendship with all the people of the Ouachita Valley and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Associated with his brother, the late Capt. F.A. Blanks, the two were for years the most prominent and popular steamboatmen in the Ouachita trade. Upon the death of Capt. Fred Blanks, the elder, "Capt. Jack" as he was familiarly known, was elected to succeed him as president of the line and continued in that position up to the time of the disaster in which he lost his life, the particulars of which will carry sorrow to the hearts of his boat of friends on and off the river. Among the others lost who were well known here were J.V. Jordan and Charley Cellos. The latter lived here for a number of years and his untimely, sudden and terrible death will be greatly deplored by a host of friends. He was young and generous and brave and these qualities, whatever faults one may have, commands and receives admiration. He was second clerk of the boat and had few equals and no superiors in that capacity. Mr. J.V. Jordan, the first clerk, was a popular, experienced and efficient steamboatsman, having run on the river for a number of years, making hosts of friends during that time. For further particulars we refer the reader in the meager account of the Associated Press to be found in our news columns. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, October 5, 1889 Page 2, Column 5 LOSS OF THE CORONA ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Particulars of the Disaster and Terrible Destruction of Human Life. NEW ORLEANS, LA., October 3. - The steamer Corona, of the Ouachita Consolidated Line, left here at 7:30 last evening for the Ouachita river with a full cargo of freight and a good list of passengers. She exploded her boilers at False river, nearly opposite Port Hudson, at 11:45 this morning, causing the loss of the steamer and about forty lives. The Anchor Line steamer City of St. Louis, Captain James O'Neal, was near by and with his crew and boats saved many lives. The surviving passengers and crew were taken on board by Captain O'Neal and very kindly cared for by him and his crew. Following are lists of lost and saved, as far as known: Crew lost - J.W. Blanks, captain; J.V. Jordan, first clerk; Chas. Cellos, second clerk; Swimp Hanna, third clerk; Fred Dinkle, barkeeper; Fred O'Berman, barkeeper, Pat Ryan, steward; Dick Curtis, fireman; Tom Shook, engineer, Henry Doyle, porter; Jim Swipe, porter; Mr. Tate, barber; Henry Davis, deckhand; Tom Cook, sailorman; Billy Young second mate; Sam Steel Texas boy. Both captains of deck watch. Passengers Lost - Dr. Atwell, corn doctor and four colored musicians; J.D. Scott, Smithland, La.; Mr. Davis, a Texas stockman; Mr. Krouch, home unknown; nurse of Mrs. Kaufman and eldest child; Mrs. Tom Hough, of Opelousas, sister of Captain Blanks, Mr. Nelson, Red River landing. Crew Saved - H.H. Jolls, pilot; L.W. Rawlings, pilot; Chas. Pierce, steersman; J. Handley, engineer; Jack Miller, mate; Billy Higgins, bill clerk; Robert Carnes, carpenter; Wm. Fleming, second steward; Sam Green, watchman; Tom Burns, deckhand; Milt Glover, fireman; Dan Slemick, pantryman; Frank Reeves, cook; Joe Steele, baker; Charity Lambert, chamber-maid; Miss Reily, second maid; Joe Rayman, greaser; several cabin boys. Passengers saved - Mrs. Henry Blanks and two children, Columbia, La.; Mrs. Mann, of Trinity; Mrs. E.W. Robertson, of Baton Rouge; Mrs. Kaufman and infant, Smithland; Captain B.C. Cornwell , of Smithland; John R. Brown and J.J. Meredith, of Columbia; Hon. T.W. Mason, Baton Rouge, Mr. Bauman, of Black River; Mr. Comstock, of Donaldsonville; Mr. John Carr, Harrisonburg. The Corona was on her first trip of the season, and had but recently come out of the dry dock where she received repairs costing nearly $12,000. Her boilers were inspected a few days ago by the United States Inspectors. She was built at Wheeling W.Va., by the Sweeny Bros., of that city, about seven years ago, and had a carrying capacity of about 2,700 bales of cotton. At the time of the accident she was valued at $20,000. NOTE: On page 3, column 2 of this same issue is another article about the disaster, And in the October 19, 1889 issue, page 2, column 3. # # #