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Story
April 6, 1899
Courier Democrat
Langdon, Cavalier County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
The steamer Rowena Lee exploded and sank near Tyler, Missouri, on March 30, killing at least 50 people including passengers and crew. Only Captain Garvell and one crew member survived by clinging to wreckage.
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MANY FIND A WATERY GRAVE
AT LEAST FIFTY LIVES LOST IN A STEAMER WRECK
The Rowena Lee Explodes Near Tyler, MO., and Immediately Sinks With All on Board Except the Captain and One of the Crew—With Passengers and Crew She Had Aboard About Fifty People—The Steamer Parted in the Middle as if From an Explosion From Underneath—The Cause of the Disaster Cannot Be Ascertained.
New Madrid, Mo., March 31.—The steamer Rowena Lee, with about thirty passengers aboard besides her crew, exploded opposite Tyler, Mo., about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and immediately sunk with all on board except Capt. Garvell and one of the crew. The steamer left Cairo with sixteen passengers aboard bound for Memphis. At Caruthersville, Mo., she landed and took on board fifteen more passengers. It is estimated that with passengers and crew she had aboard about fifty people. She made the next landing at Tyler, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon backed into mid-stream from Tyler to proceed on her journey. The steamer had just reached the middle of the river when she suddenly stopped and lurched as if a snag had been struck. The next moment the boat parted in the middle, a volume of steam and debris arose and the detonation of an explosion thundered over the water. The river is running very high and the steamer immediately sank with all on board except the captain and one of the crew. They clung to the wreckage and were saved by boats. The cause of the disaster cannot be obtained.
AT LEAST FIFTY LIVES LOST IN A STEAMER WRECK
The Rowena Lee Explodes Near Tyler, MO., and Immediately Sinks With All on Board Except the Captain and One of the Crew—With Passengers and Crew She Had Aboard About Fifty People—The Steamer Parted in the Middle as if From an Explosion From Underneath—The Cause of the Disaster Cannot Be Ascertained.
New Madrid, Mo., March 31.—The steamer Rowena Lee, with about thirty passengers aboard besides her crew, exploded opposite Tyler, Mo., about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and immediately sunk with all on board except Capt. Garvell and one of the crew. The steamer left Cairo with sixteen passengers aboard bound for Memphis. At Caruthersville, Mo., she landed and took on board fifteen more passengers. It is estimated that with passengers and crew she had aboard about fifty people. She made the next landing at Tyler, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon backed into mid-stream from Tyler to proceed on her journey. The steamer had just reached the middle of the river when she suddenly stopped and lurched as if a snag had been struck. The next moment the boat parted in the middle, a volume of steam and debris arose and the detonation of an explosion thundered over the water. The river is running very high and the steamer immediately sank with all on board except the captain and one of the crew. They clung to the wreckage and were saved by boats. The cause of the disaster cannot be obtained.
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Misfortune
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Steamer Explosion
River Disaster
Tyler Missouri
Rowena Lee
Boiler Explosion
What entities or persons were involved?
Capt. Garvell
Where did it happen?
Near Tyler, Mo., On The River
Story Details
Key Persons
Capt. Garvell
Location
Near Tyler, Mo., On The River
Event Date
March 30, About 4 O'clock Afternoon
Story Details
The steamer Rowena Lee exploded and sank immediately after leaving Tyler, Missouri, with about fifty passengers and crew aboard, killing all except Captain Garvell and one crew member who clung to wreckage and were rescued.