Steamboat Henry Jones

Beaumont News - Beacon
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, Saturday, February 22, 1873, pg. 1

A Sad Disaster

It has been learned from a private telegram to Mr. Jerome Swinford of Orange that the Steamboat Jones, of the Houston Direct Navigation line, was badly destroyed by fire, in Galveston Bay, about the first of the week; Capt. John Price, brother-in-law of Mr. Swinford, and twenty other person's losing their lives in the fearful catastrophe. The wife and relatives and friends of Capt. Price have our condolences and sympathy.

Beaumont News - Beacon
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, Saturday, February 22, 1873, Extra Edition

The Jones Disaster

Galveston, Feb. 16--The Steamer Henry Jones was burned 15 miles above Redfish Bar. The following are known lost: J. J. Price, first clerk, Jas. Hogan, second clerk, Wm. Murphy, first engineer, Peter Peiterson, cooper, Jno Cummings, D. Turner, Jno Cailialian, Christopher Shelby, Jas. Bowen, Wm. Huglies, H. Hasity, Wm. Brady, White Charley deck hands. Bob Giles, fireman, Wm. McGuire, first cook, Wm. Bishop, second cook, and one boy, name unkown; Alfred, Cabin boy, Alex Batties, Cabin boy, and two stokers, names unknown. There were 43 on board and 27 saved. Loss $50,000 to the Houston Direct Navigation Company. No insurance. Feb. 18-None of the bodies of those lost by the burning of the Jones have been recovered, though a strict watch has been kept for them. It is ascertained that Tom Hoarigan, one of the white deck hands on the Jones is among the missing, making twenty-one in all, who lost their lives by that terrible disaster.

We understand that two more of the crew are missing than was as first reported, making it twenty-three all told.

The bodies of three negroes, lost on the steamer Jones are reported to have been found. J. B. Hogan's overcoat was found by a steamer floating in the bay.

submitted by Oliver Peasley

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