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| Model of The Heroine - Source: ATM Nautical Archaeology Program |
Steamboats Claimed By The Red River
We may be sure that, in every place where men have dwelled, there is evidence of their presence. Whether it exists on the surface or below the ground, the evidence is there. It could take the form of a trash heap, a pile of bones, or a circle of stones. It might be something typical, such as an indigenous burial ground. Again, it can be unusual: it could be a vehicle or even an entire city. Whatever it may be, it is there.
Sir Austen Layard (who wrote one of my favorite books) brought the ancient city of Nineveh out of obscurity and into the light - literally. The mighty capital of the Assyrian Empire had been buried beneath the earth and lost, so much so that in the days of ancient Greece it was already unknown. Mr. Layard was the archaeologist who rediscovered and excavated that fabled city, bringing it to the surface one spade full at a time.
While there may be no underground cities in Texas or Oklahoma - at least none comparable to Nineveh - there is history. It is buried underground, and sometimes it is buried beneath water. "The whiskey barge" really belongs to both categories. First, it disappeared beneath the water. Then, it was covered by sand.
When I was very young, I remember hearing tales of "the whiskey barge." Formerly the story was told by the "old timers," and (so it seemed to me) was largely unknown. Nowadays the wreck has been rediscovered, and more people are familiar with it.
In the days before highways were carved through the United States, the rivers were lifelines for the communities. Large steamboats navigated these treacherous bodies of water and brought vital supplies to the settlers as well as being the major transportation for export. Occasionally, these large boats - ships, really - would hit logs and puncture their hulls. At other times they might find themselves grounded on a sand bar that might not have been there before. When this happened, there was a horrible, terrific wreck. Imagine being below deck when the hull collapsed, and perhaps you can get a small idea of the tragedy. Many lives were lost. Much cargo was lost.
The old Red River, the boundary of Texas and Oklahoma, played the part of a pirate again and again. Many prizes were seized over the years. The "whisky barge" was just such a prize.
A Steamboat Loaded With Gold and Whisky Discovered In Red River.
PARIS, Tex., April 29.-About 40 years ago, a steamboat sunk on Red river at a point nearly opposite Clarksville in Red River county. It had a cargo of liquors, hardware and other goods. In time, the river changed its bed and the boat was covered with sand. The spot was lost sight of except by a few. Several weeks ago, a party located the place and a company was organized to dig up the boat and secure its cargo. Those belonging to the company were Joe Yates, Jim Grant, Mr. Wells, Dug Huffman and Tom Graham. News was received here that the company had dug into the boat after going through 13 feet of quicksand. They found everything intact just as it was 40 years ago, and they are still making new discoveries as they explore the different sections of the boat, which is a very large one. They have already taken out five casks of wine, several barrels of whisky and about $1000 worth of gold and rare china hand [sic] a good deal of silver plate. Joe Yates unearthed an old sword which was a peculiar piece of work, carved on the blade of which were these words: "Duke of Wellington, G. B. A." Other curiosities were also found. A silver whisky flask with gold trimmings is in the possession of Jim Grant and an old battered gold decanter is held by Dug Huffman. The explorers say a thimble full of the whisky makes one feel as if he owned the sub-treasury in Wall Street.
Original article: Dallas Times Herald - April 29, 1893 pg 4, contributed by Jim Wheat. Source here.
Note: The above article was published in 1893 and states that the steamboat sank "about 40 years ago." Thus, 1853 was thought to be the approximate date on which the vessel was lost.
Previous Update: The Heroine
In the late 1830s or early 1840s, a large steamboat came to grief on the Red River. As a child, I heard many stories about this sunken boat. Local tradition called it "the whiskey barge" because of an alleged cargo of whiskey. Apparently the wreck was discovered and rediscovered several times before it was officially investigated by professionals. I do recall seeing an old article from the Dallas Morning News saying that a barrel of whiskey was retrieved from some wreck in the late 1800's. Perhaps this is the source of the name, "Whiskey Barge."
The steamboat has since been identified. It was known as the Heroine, and it was on its way to Fort Towson, Oklahoma, which was a military outpost in what was then the western U.S. It was actually a converted sea-going vessel - a schooner, as I recall.
Check out the story of the Heroine and the folks who documented the wreck here and here.
Previous Update: Tied to a Submerged Wreck
Many years ago, the author had the opportunity to speak with one Red River County resident who claims to have had an experience (20 or 30 years ago, he stated) with "The Whiskey Barge." The gentleman, an avid fisherman, stated that he was fishing the Red River and tied his boat up to an object sticking out of the water. Upon closer examination, it was found that the "stump" to which he had tied the boat showed signs of human workmanship. He stated that he could see the remains of some wreck beneath the surface and was sure that he was tied to "the old whiskey barge" (his words).
To what did he actually tie his boat? Was he tied to the Heroine? Or was he tied to another wreck, the name of which is now lost or hidden in some obscure record?
