Steamboat Longfellow
Described at the time as "one of the largest, best known and handsomest packets on the Ohio River" the Longfellow had more than 110 people on board when it left the Cincinnati wharf on March 8, 1895. It was also carrying 300 reaping and mowing machines "the largest shipment of harvesting machinery ever made at one time out of Cincinnati."
The steamer was already a day behind schedule for New Orleans when company officials ordered its captain to leave despite heavy morning fog. Secured to the towboat Hercules Carrel, the Longfellow set out but ran into immediate problems. The steamer turned sideways and the towboat couldn't turn it around. Sleeping passengers were awakened by a blast of whistles from the Hercules Carrel. Seconds later, the Longfellow struck the C&O Railroad piers.
"She literally crumbled to pieces immediately following the collision and the bow of the boat sank while the cabin and stern floated away," witnesses later said. Rescue operations were hampered by scavengers trying to pick up the valuables floating on the river. The final death count was 11.
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Daily Public Ledger, Maysville, Ky. Saturday, 9 March 1895, page 3
VESSELL BREAKS IN TWO-Shortly after 6 am Friday morning the steamer Longfellow pulled away from the wharf at the foot of Main street, Cincinnati. The towboat Hercules Carrel signaled to be in readiness to help the Longfellow through the bridges. The boats passed under the suspension bridge in good shape. Immediately the Longfellow began behaving badly. Those on the boat could see that it would be impossible to avoid striking the pier. The alarm was sounded and the passengers were hurried to the deck.
The boat struck the pier with her starboard side. The crash filled the air with flying timbers, glass and iron work. The Longfellow was being driven harder against the pier by the swift river. In less than five minutes the prow disappeared completely and the stern followed. Among the dead are Capt. J Lawrence Carter, first clerk, of Newport Ky.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Sunday, 5 May 1895, page 6
TO BE ARRESTED-An inquiry is to be made into recent Longfellow accident. It is said Pilot (James) Pell is to be called to answer to some charge in the United States Courts, probably technical manslaughter. The police at Bellevue Ky. were waiting for Pell's arrival at his home last night.