Letter from Lieutenant McLaughlin. C. S. Navy,
to Lieutenant Jones, C. S. Navy, regarding accident on board the C. S.
S. Chattahoochee.
COLUMBUS, GA., June 1, 1863.
MY DEAR JONES: I hasten to inform you of the
sad accident which happened on board the Chattahoochee, and as the
quickest
method I enclose the account furnished the newspaper by Gift, who,
though
not on board at the time, came up on the Young with the wounded. Young
Mallory is badly hurt and his recovery considered doubtful. The
statements
as to how the accident occurred are very conflicting. Some say that the
steam gauge had been out of order the day previous. At the time of the
explosion it was showing only 7 pounds of steam. Others say that
pumping
water in the boiler, the water at the time being low, was the cause.
She
was at anchor and only waiting for steam to be reported to get
underway.
Mr. Fagan at the time was sick, though had just gone into the engine
room.
He was the only one on board having any knowledge of the engines. The
gunner
is at the vessel with most of the crew. The medical officers have moved
their effects to Chattahoochee. Captain Guthrie is here. I will write
you
again soon.
Yours, truly,
A. McLAUGHLIN.
[Commander Cap. R. JONES, C. S. Navy.]
[Enclosure (newspaper clipping).]
Gunboat Chattahoochee
destroyed--Terrible loss
of life.
Just as the steamer Jackson was pushing out from
the wharf at Chattahoochee, Fla., a courier arrived from below with
news
that the boilers of the gunboat Chattahoochee had exploded, killing the
pilot, William Bilbro, for a long series of years a pilot on the
Chattahoochee
River, and wounding nearly every officer on board. The Jackson could
not
remain to learn any further particulars; they have doubtless been
received
before this. The steamer Munnerlyn went down to the scene of disaster.
Since the above was put in type we have received,
through the courtesy of Lieutenant G. W. Gift, the following list of
persons
killed by the explosion of the boiler of the Chattahoochee May 27, viz:
Henry Fagan, second assistant engineer, of Key West, Fla.; Euclid P.
Hedges,
third assistant engineer, of Maryland; Fred W. Arents, third assistant
engineer, Richmond, Va.; Eugene Henderson, paymaster's clerk, Tuskegee,
Ala.; William B. Bilbro, pilot, Columbus, Ga.; Joseph Hicks,
first-class
fireman, Georgia; Enoch C. Lanpher, second-class fireman, Columbus,
Ga.;
Edward Conn, coal hearer, Apalachicola, Fla.; Charles H. Berry,
quartermaster,
Tampa, Fla.; John Joliff, seaman, ; Lewis C. Wild, landsman, Florida;
John
S. Spear, landsman, Florida; William Moore, landsman, Florida; James
Thomas,
landsman, Florida; Charles Douglas, second-class fireman, residence
unknown;
James H. Jones, landsman, Florida.(editor's note---see their
gravesite
monument under Florida webpage)
Mortally wounded.--M.
Faircloth, landsman, Florida.
Dangerously
wounded.--Midshipman Charles K. Mallory,
of Virginia, face, hands, and feet badly scalded; Cornelius Duffy,
of Apalachicola, Fla., face and hands badly scalded.
Slightly wounded.--Hamilton Gelder, master's
mate, Maryland, right arm scalded; Joseph Sis, Apalachicola, face
burned:
Midshipman W. J. Craig, Kentucky, foot slightly burned; Joseph E.
Coles,
coal heaver, Florida, foot burned.
The vessel was sunk below her decks. The wounded
were brought up to the city last evening by the steamer William H.
Young.
-----
Detailed report of
Lieutenant McLaughlin, C.
S. Navy, regarding the accident on board the C. S. S. Chattahoochee.
NAVAL STATION, COLUMBUS, GA., June 15, 1863.
My DEAR JONES: Your letter of the 8th has just
reached me, enclosing a letter to Gift. As he has left here permanently
with orders to Mobile, I have done as you directed, opened the document
and forwarded the letters of recommendation, through Pembroke Jones, at
Savannah, with a request that he will hand them to the men. I will go
on
to explain and endeavor to furnish you with all the information
connected
with the lamentable accident which happened to the ill-fated steamer.
The
accounts, such as we get, are most conflicting, but Gift, having taken
an active part in placing the information before the public, I think,
has
prevented the matter from being as freely discussed as would otherwise
have been the case.
The only officers on board at the time were
Guthrie,
Midshipmen Craig, Mallory, and Gibbs, Gelder, Dr. Ford, and the gunner,
and the engineers, whose names have already appeared in print with the
exception of Third Assistant H. (?) Blanc, of New Orleans, who, not
being
on duty, escaped uninjured. The vessel had started for the
obstructions,
and had gone but 20 miles when it was found there was not sufficient
water
on the bar to admit of her crossing. The vessel was anchored. The next
morning it was ascertained that the river had swollen, when orders were
given to raise steam, and, as near as I can learn, they commenced
firing
up at or near 10 o'clock with wood. At 12 m., when the relief came down
(which, by the way, accounts for the number of deaths), the steam gauge
was showing 7 pounds of steam. It is now understood that it was out of
order the day previous. A discussion now arose with regard to the
quantity
of water in the boiler. Mr. Fagan, the senior engineer, being at the
time
in his bunk with a chill, hearing the dispute, and fearing from the
length
of time since the fires had been started that something was wrong,
hastened
to the engine room and was descending the ladder when the explosion
took
place. Curiosity had taken the pilot to the engine room, and some think
it was he who started the pump. The explosion was instantaneous with
the
starting of the pump. Guthrie, at the time, was in his cabin. There is
some difference of opinion about the time of his arrival on deck.
Otherwise
I do not hear of his name being mentioned, except by Dr. Ford, who
speaks
of his administering baptism to those who had been wounded and were
about
to die.
It being reported that an explosion of the
magazine
was imminent, caused a panic among the crew. Three, I believe, were
drowned
in trying to reach the shore. Among the number was a quartermaster by
the
name of Berry. No description, I am told, could possibly be given of
the
scene on the deck of the Chattahoochee, men running about frantic with
pain, leaving the impression of their bleeding feet, and sometimes the
entire flesh, the nails and all, remain behind them. The dead and
wounded
were taken on shore, where they remained until the next afternoon, most
of the time a terrible storm raging. Finally they were taken on board
the
Young and reached Columbus on Sunday night, just five days after the
accident.
No attempt was made to dress the wounds until after their arrival here,
which could not be avoided. Poor Mallory! I shall never forget
his
appearance. I would not have known him had he not spoken. His face,
hands,
and feet were scalded in the most terrible manner; he plead piteously
to
have his wounds attended to. I urged the doctor, who, by the way, was
almost
used up himself, to pay Mallory some attention. He then told me that he
would have to wait for some assistance. He then said that Mallory could
not live. You would have thought differently had you seen him. I
could
not make up my mind that he would die. When they first commenced to
remove
the cloths he was talking cheerfully, but the nervous system could not
stand the shock. He commenced sinking and was a corpse before they had
gotten half through. Duffy, the
fireman, expired on the next day. You would
have been surprised to have seen the effect produced on Mr. Craig and
Golder,
who were only slightly injured, Mr. Craig in the foot, Mr. Golder side
of face, arm, and hand. They were so prostrated after their wounds were
dressed that they were only roused by the use of stimulants. It seems
almost
useless to mention that they received all the attention that could
possibly
have been bestowed. The Home was literally besieged with ladies, and
for
one week the street in front of the Home was blocked up with vehicles
of
all descriptions. I really looked on with astonishment. The four worst
cases were placed together in the room upstairs, directly in front of
the
steps. It was with the utmost difficulty that I could remain in the
room
sufficiently long to ascertain what was required and to see what
service
I could render, the atmosphere was so unpleasant, yet the ladies did
not
seem to notice it and remained at their post till the last.
Guthrie came up on the boat, bringing the guns,
which, strange to say, he turned over to Major Humphreys, with a
request
that he would hold them subject alone to his order or that of the
Secretary
of the Navy. I immediately made a report of the affair. The Secretary,
through the Office of Ordnance, replied promptly by telegraph,
directing
the guns and everything pertaining to them, as well as ship's stores,
be
turned over to me. The matter caused considerable talk among the people
in town. It was not understood why naval guns should not have been
placed
under the control of naval officers. It does appear to me that
Guthrie's
conduct throughout the whole affair has been most singular. He has
given
leave of absence to some of his crew to visit a place in possession of
the enemy, and some 13 of his men left him at Chattahoochee with the
intention
of not returning. Among the number was a man by the name of Lee, whom
you
will no doubt recollect. After placing the guns in charge of Major
Humphreys
he took his family and started for Chattahoochee, where [he] remained
four
or five days, when he again embarked for Columbus, bringing the crew,
minus
the 13 mentioned above. At that time I had in my possession a telegram
from Richmond to Guthrie, directing him to send the crew to Savannah.
He
remarked he would turn them over to me, and I might do what I pleased
with
them, but he thought I had better wait for further instructions. As
Guthrie
appeared to be laboring under some bodily infirmity, I gave the men
quarters
in my mold room, and sent 40 of them the next day to Savannah. They
arrived
on the day the Savannah was put in commission. The men were all nicely
dressed when they left here, and on their arrival at Savannah, being
all
straight and in good condition, were the cause of many remarks. It was
certainly reflecting great credit to those who had organized and
disciplined
the crew. I felt proud of them. During their stay with me there was not
one guilty of the slightest impropriety. Cronin (?), May, and Rosier
expressed
deep regret that they had not time to put a piece in the paper thanking
the ladies for their many kindnesses, but said they would do so on
their
arrival at Savannah. The crew of the Chattahoochee will ever remember
the
latter and the paymaster. They would have been willing to have gone
anywhere
to have gotten rid of the vessel. Webb was exceedingly anxious to get
hold
of some of the men. He will have some of the landsmen; the remainder
will
remain on the Savannah. I ordered Dr. Jones and Midshipman Gibbs and
Mr.
Golder with the crew. They are now attached to the Savannah.
The 6.4-inch rifle belonging to the Chattahoochee
I was directed to send to Charleston. It is to be double-banded and
returned,
to be used, I suppose, on the Muscogee. 1 am doing very well. The
calkers
have commenced to-day, and I am laying the spar deck. The engines are
about
being placed in position. I will keep you advised from time to time of
the progress.
With kind regards to Simms, I remain, truly,
yours,
A. McLAUGHLIN.
[Commander CATESBY APR. JONES, C. S. Navy.]
-----
Additional report of Lieutenant McLaughlin, C.
S. Navy, regarding the accident on board the C. S. S. Chattahoochee.
COLUMBUS, GA., December 26, 1863.
MY DEAR JONES: The Chattahoochee, her officers
and men, have been turned over to me. I have succeeded in having her
towed
to this place, and will commence work on her at once. She is not as
badly
damaged as I had supposed. The deck immediately over the boiler on the
port side was raised by the explosion some 6 inches. Beyond that there
has been no damage to the boiler. Mr. Warner has not had an opportunity
to examine the boiler. From a casual observation he thinks she can soon
be in running order; the machinery has not been injured. It has been to
me still more a matter of surprise why that vessel should have been
allowed
to sink. A pine plug driven into the feed pipe, which had been blown
off,
would have been all that was necessary. She draws in her present
condition
6 feet 3 inches aft, 5 feet 3 inches forward. Nearly all her outfit has
been plundered, and in some instances sold and given away by those who
were left in charge. Things were scattered around, some at the arsenal,
Johnston's, and Eufaula. Johnston had the entire control in raising the
vessel. After she was up she remained in charge of his negroes. She has
been stripped of everything that could be converted into money. The
paymaster's
clerk gave furlough to the men, some of which are still away. There was
a regular communication kept up with Apalachicola by means of the
dingey,
which was at the disposal of Father Somebody, the Catholic priest. No
doubt
the enemy have been kept fully posted with regard to movements in the
Confederacy,
more particularly with matters on the river.
Guthrie has made one round trip on the Advance,
a vessel belonging to the State of North Carolina. I was at Wilmington
when he arrived. He seemed to be perfectly happy; says he has now
established
his reputation. I don't know why he did not continue on her. Crossan is
out with her now. Guthrie has been spending some of his time at
Eufaula,
where he has purchased a house, and intends his family to reside there
during the war.
Washington is here. He seems anxious to get
detached.
I hope he may. His conduct while down the river was shameful.
D. S. Johnston has taken a contract to build
Morino a barge 90 feet long, 22 feet breadth of beam. The contract was
closed on Sunday last. He pledged to have her ready by the 1st of
January.
The Muscogee is all ready for launching. I am
only waiting for the river,, which, from present appearances, will not
keep me waiting, long. The internal arrangements are complete, with the
exception of the magazine. I wish I could have the benefit of your
advice
in fitting it up.
I was pleased to hear that you had met with such
success in casting guns. I hope you will be ready to furnish the
Muscogee
her battery. I am told it is the only chance. They are not doing much
in
Richmond, Governor Milton informs me that so soon as this vessel is
ready
for service, Apalachicola will be reoccupied. He expressed himself
thoroughly
disgusted with Morino and all his works. Morino wants to make a wagon
road
over the river, using the obstructions as a foundation. Old Milton says
he will blow them all to the devil and open the river. He has already
communicated
with the President on the subject, who thinks favorably of it. * * *
Hope soon to hear from you.
I remain, very truly, your friend,
A. McLAUGHLIN.
[Commander CATESBY AP R. JONES.]
Return
to the Georgia Gravesites page
Return to
the Florida Gravesites page