Fred A. Blanks (Packet, 1879-1884)

Photographer

Lytle, Andrew

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sidewheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: Dan Morton yard, Madison, Indiana, 1879
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sank at New Orleans Exposition, December 19, 1884 after collision with steamship Victoria
• OWNERS: 1879: The Blanks Family; 1884: Ouachita River Steamboat Line
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Fred Blanks
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Ouachita River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 2143; A large boat, her main deck was 15 1/2 feet tall. The forward panels in the cabin were embellished with scenes in oils along the Black River where Captain Fred liked to shoot alligators. This was the 28th boat the Blanks family had owned. She ran the New Orleans-Ouachita River trade. The Fred A. Blanks played a conspicuous part in the opening ceremonies of the New Orleans Exposition. She was the boat on which the distinguished visitors went to the park. On December 19, 1884, at the New Orleans Exposition, she ran into the British steamship Victoria on her way up the river. Both vessels were running under full head, and, mistaking each other's signals, came together with a crash. The Fred A. Blanks was the most damaged, but made a landing, put off her passengers and in a few minutes sunk at the wharf, her cabin floating off and down stream. At the time she was valued at $40,000 and was insured for $25,000 in Cincinnati and St. Louis companies. No one was hurt by the collision and all got safely ashore from the sinking boat.
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Boat at dock with full load of cotton bales