Daily Event for July 8, 2016

Built at Louisville, Kentucky in 1855, the paddle steamer Magnolia Banner would serve the Mississippi River for less than a year. She was near Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 8, 1855 when her load of cotton caught fire. Apparently the crew was not able to bring the blaze under control, as a result the ship was completely destroyed. Sadly several crewmen lost their lives in the fire, (sources differ between 2 and 8) but I have not been able to identify them.
© 2016 Michael W. Pocock
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