The B. F. Tibbets

Late in 1847, Benjamin Tibbets decided to move to Quebec where he felt there was a better market for his new invention, the compound steam engine, which he had such success with in the Reindeer on the St. John River. He became a partner in a foundry operated by a relative at Point Levis, and during the next few years built several engines. One of these was installed in a hull he designed, and the resultant steamer so pleased the owners that they named her B.F.Tibbets. Another was installed in the Novelty, a Quebec-Levis ferry noted at the time for her speed. During the winter of 1851-52, Tibbets was busy with engines for three steamers under construction in Quebec.

Early in 1852, Tibbets' machine shop burned to the ground. Although some of the patterns were salvaged, they too were later destroyed during a second fire. This loss was a great shock to him, as his great desire had been to own his own foundry, but he was now faced with financial ruin. He remained in Quebec until June 1853, but by that time tuberculosis had seriously affected his health. Hoping to recover, he returned to New Brunswick to live with his uncle, Henry MacFarlane, at Scotchtown. But nothing could be done for him, and he died November 19 at the relatively early age of thirty-five.

A very appealing story is associated with Tibbets' death, and the tale has been recounted over and over again throughout the years. Its essential point is that the very night the inventor lay dying, the B. F. Tibbets, a steamer he had built during his years at Quebec, burned to the waters edge just a few miles away. Like so many other traditional accounts, this one has no foundation in fact. The records make it quite clear that the B. F. Tibbets appeared on the St. John in 1855, nearly two years after her builder's death. While it is true she burned, this was not to happen until June 5, 1856. But what an exciting story surrounds her loss! The following is what truly happened:

On the first of June that year, the B. F. Tibbets was sent to Grand Lake to tow a raft of lumber to Saint John. She had just started back from the upper end of the lake when fire was discovered in the engine room. Fanned by a high wind, the flames spread quickly, and Captain Crothers barely had time to head the stricken vessel toward Flowers Cove before he was driven from the wheelhouse. Two of the crew had to run to the stern where their only means of escape was a raft boat. Before they even had time to let go of the towline, they were forced by flames into the boat. It drifted several yards astern of the steamer, but there it was held fast by the tow-line while the flames were driven directly in their path by the wind. Both the men were forced to jump overboard, there to cling to the side until the towline finally burned through, allowing them to escape.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew had gathered on the bow deck of the burning vessel where they were frantically trying to maneuver into position another raft boat that was being towed alongside, forward of the paddle wheel. Since the paddle wheels were still turning there was a danger of the boat being broken to bits with certain injury and probably death for its occupants. Then, Captain Crothers ordered all but the mate into the boat. When the painter was cut, he and the mate held the boat off with pike poles, and with effort kept it clear of the onrushing great paddle. Once they saw the boat was free, the two jumped overboard and swam desperately to save themselves from death by the paddle wheel. They succeeded in reaching the already overloaded raft boat and clung to it as it made for the safety of shore. Such is the story of the tragic end of the steamer that had been named in Benjamin Tibbets' honor .