The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-23
OUR ST. LOUIS LETTER.
THE RIVER DIsAsTER-THE LOSS OF
THE GRAND REPUBLIC AND
THE CARONDELET.
The Late senator BOgy-Hts Life and Ser
vices-HIs Last Illaess-His Family
Left Poor.

| vlCes-Hls Last Es10esS-H1S Fafnuy
| Left Poor.
| Especial Correspondence N. o. Democratl
ST.. LOUIS, September IS, 1877.
| The destruction OF the magnificent Grand
Republic last night Is serious loss to the
river interest, and Is deeply regretted by
everybody in st. Louis. There Is more in
volved In the loss of this boat than simply the
difference between her value and the amount
of insurance. This calamity may, and indeed
it Is believed will, have the effect of retarding
the progress Of what was growing to be q
healthy revival of
STEAMBOAT INTERESTS.
The building of numerous lines Of railroad
up and down either shore Of the Mississippi
river, and the advantage of fast transporta-
| ton at low rates, was almost death blow to
river commerce. Steamers that cost hun
dreds Of thousands Of dollars were tied UP be-
cause they did notpay running expenses, and
among these was the Great Republic, which
was built by Bill Donaldson ct a cost Of $317,-
600. After lying idle for some time the Re-
public was sold, and
| CAPT. THoRwEGAN
purchased her for a fraction Of her original
cost. The low price paid for this splendid
steamer was generally commented upon as
indicating the depreciation Of such property,
and most people agreed that the days of live
ly steamboating were over. From st. Louis
to New Orleans the great Father of Waters
wore lonely and deserted appearance.
Where scores of fine steamers had piled,
loaded with freight and passengers, but few
could be seen; and these were often engaged
In the towing business.
Even among river men the opinion pre-
vailed that Thorwegan could not make the
Republic pay fair return ON the small price
| he paid for her. But Thorwegan Is man of
enterprise and energy. He still had faith in
the destiny Of the greatest of rivers and
meant to work out the problem of steamboat
commerce as in competition with railroads.
He claimed that the river interests had not
kept pace with the times, and hence had been
outstripped by railroads. Immediately after
becoming the owner of
THE GREAT REPUBLIC
he placed her in the docks at Carondelet for q
thorough overhaulng. A new hull, capable
of greater speed, was built, and new ma
chinery, of the most expensive and approved
make, was put In, and all the modern inven-
tions for rapid handling Of freight added.
Early in the spring Of 1875 the new boat
was formally launched in presence of thou
sands OF spectators, comprising many Of the
first ladies and gentlemen of st. Louis. A
select company was entertained ON board
and In discussing O name for the magnificent
vessel, which shone in all the regal splendor
of new paint and new ornaments, lady sug-
gested that she ought to be called the ''Grand
| Republic" as nothing short Of the adjective
grand was expressive enough to apply to the
floating palace. The suggestion was adopted
and she was christened the Grand Republic
In bumper Of champagne. Shortly after
ward she made her first trip to New Orleans,
carrying very select company, and from
that time on the Republic was engaged on the
river, except ut occasional short intervals
when she was lying at st. Louis.
Last year she carried at one trip 1910 bales
Of cotton into New Orleans, besides large
lot of other freight. This was claimed to be
the biggest trip ever made on the river. On
this trip she left Memphis. November 20, and
receiving cotton all the way, landed at New
Orleans December g. About ten weeks ago
Capt. Thorwegan began preparations to en-
ter the cotton trade between New Orleans and
vicksburg during the present season. He
concluded to give the Republic still greater
carrying capacity, and in pursuance of this
plan she was laid up at the foot of Lesperance
street and the work of lengthening her seven
boilers was begun. The boilers were in
creased four feet in length and new boiler
was added, making eight In all. Her ma
chinery and hull were otherwise improved
and the boat was being reprinted. Capt
Thorwegan intended leaving for New Orleans
during the first week in October, and was get
ting ready for the lower river trade. The re-
pairs on the boat were not quite completed.
About half-past II o'clock last night
. SHE TOOK FIRE
and burned to the waters edge in twenty or
thirty minutes. The fire alarm was turned
in and the engines promptly responded, but
the boat was lying where it was impossible
to reach her with streams from the engines.
i THE CARoNDELET,
the iron-hulled steamer plying between New
Orleans and Vicksburg, was lying alongside
the Republic, awaiting repairs The flames
were quickly communicated to her cabin, and
she also burned to the waters edge but her
hull is apparently uninjured.
Iue oIHlu Il5puullC. Odpt. lHOI WeStu
says, has cost him altogether about 5000,
and was insured for $1,000. The repairs and
Il improvements put on her recently cost about
$4,000.
Il THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
is a mystery and promises to remain such.
The watchman an engineer, sailor and a
!, carpenter were the only persons on the boat.
The Waterman says he was standing on the
lower deck in the front part Of the boat when
he saw streak of light apparently at his
feet. He knew it was a reflection from some
where above, and hurried to the boiler deck,
, where he discovered flames issuing from one
of the state-rooms, and he took it to be the
bridal chamber He gave the alarm, but
though the engines responded promptly, the
! Republic and Carondelet were both enveloped
, in flames by the time they arrived. He has