New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-13
THE THOMPSON DEAN BURNING.
Captain Peppers Description.

We copy the following letter from Captain
James H. Pepper, graphically describing
the burning of his favorits steamer, the
Thompson Dean:
New ORLEANS January 3, 1871
Samuel F. Coyinston, ESQ.,, Globe Insurance Com
pany, Cincinnati:
DEAR SIE-Inclosed 1 hand you two
copies protest of loss of steamer Thompson
Dean. This is doubtless as unexpected a
loss to you as to me, but no power under our
control could save the boat after the Ma
gcnta commenced burning. She commenced
burning after we started out from
the wharf, and had l succeeded in
getting a tug bare two minutes
sooner, all would have been well.
As we moved out slowly from the wharf.
the crew commenced Jumping Off on
the Howard, which was alongside, after it
was discovered we were on fire, but l called
to them asking them to remain with me,
and believed we could have overcome the
fire. Those who had got off jumped back
instantly and every one of the officers and
crew, from the highest to the lowest, all of
whom were on board, and numbering about
sixty, worked like heroes, till we were
driven from the boiler deck down to the
main deck, and it became necessary for
every person to save himself. Some took
w
finally terryboat backed up near enough
for the rest to jump on board. Soon after
got ashore Il tug went out to her and COM
menced throwing stream from her pumps.
ran up to the tug Rendezvous and sent
another after her. and remained to get
steam on third one. which being accom-
plished, followed on down and found they
had pushed her ashore about five miles be-
low, on the Algiers side of the river, and
though the two tags had continued to throw
streams from four pumps. her main deck
hadlburned through and fallen i'll.
We put two streams more on her from
cur tug, hoping to save the bottom with
five or six feet OF side. but though we la
bored at her till two o'clock T.. NJ. the fire
continued to creep slowly down the inside.
and at last she sunk and slid out into the
water fifty feet deep and 50 will lie, undis
tuTbed for all time to come. the charred re-
mains of the best steamboat that ever
hOated on the bosom of the broad Missis-
sippi. Words can never tell my feeling as
the last remains disappeared from my
sight for l had been about her from the
laying of the first timber for her construc-
ton. almost every moment, up to the time
of her destruction, and had become so at
tached to her that it seemed more like con-
signing to the tomb some dear friend than
the mere loss of property.
Though the loss falls heavily upon me, it
is a comfort to know that it did not grow
out OF any carelessness or bad management
on my part. And another huge satisfaction
is to know that there was not an employee
on her who wouldn't have sacrificed almost
anything for her life, and who all had such
unbounded faith in what l would ask of
them or rather in my judgment, that they
would take the chances of life OH burning
steamer, towing out into the stream, to
obey my orders. shall never forget them.
Every one Of the crew lost everything he
had, all Of which might have been saved
had not the safety Of the boat been the first
consideration.
Most Of our books were saved. IA also
what money we had on board have not
vet been able to ascertain precisely the
amount of freight, as | haven't yet got all
our dray tickets in, but will know to-day or
tomorrow. Think we must have had four
or five hundred tons on board. Shall re-
main here till l get my business settled up.
Yours truly.
JAMES II. PEPPER
Master Thompson Dean.