The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-04-07
The Mite Stephens Disaster Report Of the

LOCAL INSPECTORS.
SiY-It becomes our painful duty to report the SAT
disaster in reference to the burning and total destruc
ton of the Mttie Stephens, which from the
testimony obtained by this board, known to have
left this port on the 9Th Of February, bound for JET
ferson, Texas having on board some 20 cabin and
10 deck passengers. with assorted cargo, among
the latter 274 bales of hay which vas stored upon
the guards and to limited extent protected by tar
pauln covering.
On the night Of the 18th, near the hour of mid
night, the steamer entered Lake Caddo with lighted
torch baskets placed either bow Of the steamer as
aid to the pilots these torches being 80 feet from
the hay, but when we consider the fact that a fresh
breeze was blowing diagonaly across the bow Of the
steamer with that portion of the hay nearest the fires
in measure unprotected it does the most reck-
less should have perceived the dangerous risk they
were running. About midnight the relief watch was
called and the pilot watch, making the dis
covery that the hay on fire. The alarm was i'm
mediaely given, and the passengers and crew were all
put to work in an effort to cxtnguish the fire. but the
flames made such progress that it found impossi-
BILE to contend with them. She was then headed to
the Shore which about three hundred yards distant
and grounded, quartering head in about three feet
of water forward and eight nine feet aft, and so
kept by the paddle wheels revolving ahead. The
whole bow of the vessel by this time completely
enveloped in fames hence all access to the shore
cut off. The only means of escape then was by the
stern of the vessel which in deep water; besides
the constant revolution of the paddle wheels forming
powerful current and carrying everything before it
for some thirty yards farther from the shore and pre-
sentng but another form of destruction. The passen
gers, comprehending the dreadful realities of the sit
uation, the widest confusion ensued, many of them
lost all sefposscssion and resolutey refused to jump
into the water, and thus persisted in the flames.
1t might be we'll to state here that the boats had
been launched and occupied by the cabin crew. The
life preservers of invaluable service in this sad
affair, many persons picked up 1oating about
in the water in state of insenshlity supported by
Them and those who riused to leave the steamer
had them attached to their bodies. 1t is firmly be-
lieved that others would have been saved had they
jumped overheard and trusted to the life preservers
for their safety through this deplorabe disaster Some
sixty persons lost their lives, and the boat and cargo
proved total loss.
The testimony aduced in this case serves to fix the
canse of this disaster on the incomplete covering of
the hay and the ineicency of the watch since it is
established that the forward end Of the hay took fire,
and that from sparks supposed have fallen from the
torch baskets and carried by the wind in the direction
of the hay where the fire first discovered and
further, the fire originated while the Waterman was
absent from his post calling the relief watch.
From these facts gathered from testimony of rc-
able parties this board has come to the conclusion
erng of the hay lack of discipline on the part of the
officers of said steamer, and reckessness in carrying
torch baskets with cargo upon the guards or deck La
BILE to Ignition Very respectfully,
(SSned) W. C. FLANDERS,
CHARLES L. wHITMORE.
To W. G. Gray, Esq, Assistant Collector of Customs,