Daily Event for April 14, 2009

April 14, 1842 the new sidewheeler Medora was about to make a trial run for the builders and owners from Reeder's Wharf, where she was built, to North Point across Baltimore Harbor. The Baltimore & Norfolk Steam Packet Company, the ship's owners, and Charles Reeder, the builder, had invited a number of important people to join the ship for the first run across the harbor. The engine builder, John Watchman was also on board to demonstrate his new powerful engine and boiler.

Just after 3p.m. the Medora began to back away from the Reeder's wharf making only two revolutions of the engine when a powerful explosion blew away most of the upper deck and everyone who was standing on it. The funnels were blown high into the air and crashed down on the deck and the boiler, which had been the cause of the explosion, was thrown crosswise on the deck. The ship was enveloped in scalding steam, flying debris and dead and dying people who only moments before had been looking forward to a nice trip on a new ship.

The force of the explosion was so great that several people were catapulted from the upper deck to the shore, where some of them died. One man reportedly landed on the nearby steamer Constitution, where he died from his injuries. Captain Sutton, who had been standing on the upper deck just forward of the boiler was severely injured, the treasurer of the Baltimore & Norfolk Line was killed as was the line's agent and his son. The Medora settled on the bottom with the bodies of several people trapped inside.

At least twenty-seven people were killed or died of their injuries, some suffered for days before death came. Others carried the scars for the rest of their lives. What caused the boiler to explode was at first unknown, it was tested the day before at a higher pressure than would be normally used and was found to be satisfactory. It was later reported that one of the crew had tampered with the pressure valve so that the excess pressure would make a good showing of the speed and power of the boat.

The Mayor's office had asked for 100 men to come and help to clear the wreckage and remove the bodies and the wreck was finally raised and even repaired, she sailed under the name Herald until sometime in 1885.
© 2009 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com


A painting of Baltimore Harbor seen from Federal Hill in the 1830's by W. J. Bennett. The harbor looked much the same in 1842 when the Medora exploded and sank.


April 14, 2012: Baltimore Harbor seen from Federal Hill one hundred and seventy years after the disaster.
(Photo courtesy of Michelle Thompson)
© 2012 Michelle Thompson all rights reserved




Roll of Honor
In memory of those who lost their lives in SS Medora
"As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

Name
Notes
Boon, John R.
Printer
Boston, John
Also reported as Levin
Burns, John
Doyle, Robert
Eldridge, Thomas
Endley, George
 
Ferguson, Duncan
Engineer
French, Benjamin
Printer
Geddes, George
Hackney, Dr. S. W.
Haley, John
from Strasburg, Germany
Harper, John
2nd Mate
Kemp, John
Lavers, James W.
Lecompte, Joseph
Linthicum, Richard
Lewis, William
McLeer, Francis
Mitchell, James
Moale, John C.
Agent for Baltimore & Norfolk Line
Moale, William
14 year old son of John
Reeder, Jackson
Son of Charles Reeder
Speedy, John
Joiner/Carpenter
Townsend, Joseph
Treasurer of Baltimore & Norflok Line
Vickers, Capt. John
Hotel owner
Yeager, John
Young, Edmond
This list was compiled from published reports and may not be completely accurate or complete. There may also be spelling errors as the original text is very difficult to read.
   
Apr. 14, 2012

Many thanks to remembering the SS Medora today.  It was the 170th anniversary of the explosion.  I am the grgrgranddaughter of Albert G. Ramsey, one of the engineers that day.  He survived thank goodness or I wouldn't be here.  Unfortunately the other engineer Duncan Ferguson didn't survive.  He was Albert's brother-in-law.  I also had a 3rd GreatGrandfather on the ship that day, George Clasey.  He survived.  I went to the harbor and sat by the water today.  At exactly 3:30 a tug boat was signaling.  I thought that was pretty cool but I'm sure purely a coincidence.  I forwarded your link to my facebook page to share it.  I will be checking back with your site definitely.  It looks like a real treasure chest full of maritime goodies.

Kindest regards,
Michelle Thompson


To submit a photo, biographical information or correction please email the webmaster.


2005 Daily Event
2006 Daily Event
2007 Daily Event