Captains & Their Steamboats

I'm sure this is not all of the Steamboats and Wharf-boats that visited and plied along East Carroll Parish's coastal waterways. I will be adding more Steamboat, Wharfboat, and Captains names, along with some of their history, as I come across it going through the old 1800's parish newspapers. Most of the plantations had their own landings. (*NOTE - Please read the note at the bottom of this page)

"Arkansas City"
In May, 1884, the local paper reported that "Honorable J. M. Kennedy left on Sunday last per steamer "Arkansas City" to assume his duties in the Legislature."

"Ben Franklin"
It was in regular service 1833 - 1834

The "Charles P. Choteau"
This ship was constructed from the hull of another ship between 1879 - 1880. She was a great cotton carrier. This boat introduced the electric search-light for river navigation.

"City of Providence"
The "City of Providence" made it appearance in 1869. She made regular trips on the Mississippi River. It was a small steamboat and was used as cheap transportation to the interior of the state. One of the "Anchor Liners."

"City of Vicksburg"
The "City of Vicksburg" was one of the "Anchor Line". They establied a record of being free from accidents or disaster for more than thirty years.

The "Cotile"
Captain Patterson Traveled along the Bayou Macon.

The "Countess" John Henderson, Master; George S. Connery, Clerk "A regular Vicksburg semi-weekly packet." A fine passenger side-wheel steamer. Leaves Vicksburg every Tue. and Fri. at 5 p.m., leaves Greenville ever Sun. and Thur. at 5 a. m. For freight or passage apply on board.

"Davy Crockett"
It was in regular service 1833 - 1834

"Eliza"
Francis B. Richardson sold a wharf-boat, "Eliza", with furniture, riggins, ropes, cains, and tackles, to Govy Hood." Date 1853

The "Frank Pargoud"
It was considered one of the "finest boats afloat" and a "floating palace of the western water". It passed Providence at 8 o'clock p.m. every Thursday, after leaving N. O. on Tuesday at 5 o'clock p.m., and on its' return trip would pass Providence on Friday nights.

"Grey Eagle" Captain John Shalcross The "Henry Clay" It was in regular service 1833 - 1834

"Illinois"
Captain Cheek

"Issaquena"
On Feb. 23, 1884 the Issaquena went up Old River to Bunches Bend and surprised the inhabitants with its disturbance of the streams quiet waters. Many thought that the levee had given away. When it entered Old River the whistling attracted the attention of many people. The boat went as for as the Nolle Plantation and did a considerable business on her initial trip.

The "J. Hirsch & Co."
Messr. J. Hirsch "The Carroll Record" - Advertisement: Messrs. J. Hirsch & Co., Ashton, Louisiana want to call our attention to their advertisement of a new wharf-boat. They propose to exert themselves to accommodate those who will give them their patronage.

The "J. M. White"
The Editor of "The Democrat" wrote the following account of a river trip to N. O. "All aboard the palatial J. M. White. The officers are not one bit gallant. . .I suppose they think fine upholstery, good rooms, and lavish commissary suffiecient to cover all the other ills the taveling public is heir to. . ." All was not perfection aboard the steamer, nor were all the passengers given to gaiety, nor was the scenery thoroughly fascinating--at least not to this editor.

"Lady Gay"
Captain Tom Burke; Clerk Tatum An elegant, handsome, and a well officered steamer. Burke and Tatum were clever and accommodating gentlemen, and were old Confederate soldiers. Burke having commanded a gunboat in the Navy. The "Gay" makes regular trips between St. Louis and New Orleans.

The "Magenta"
In 1869 this boat whic operated from New Orleans to Memphis took the largest load of cotton of the season. It won a "bell rope", a fine prize offered by W. M. Williams & Co. of Vicksburg.

The "Billy Pennington"
Captain G. B. Oakes

The "Post Boy"
Captain Henry M. Shreve The Post Boy, or shallow-draft, powerful steam boat developed by its Captain was in regular service by 1821 between Louisville and N.O., La.

The "Providence" The Steamer "Providence" is listed as early as 1821. The " STAR"
Advertisement in the local paper in 1869: "Wharf-boat STAR: We do business on the 'live and let live' principle. (Signed) V. M. Purdy, J. L. Goffe, and E. J. Delony"

Here are more names of Captains of some of the Steamboats and wharf-boats that I found mentioned in newspapers, historical quarterlies, history book, etc... or sent to me by other researchers.
Mr. T. Bierne (wharf-boat L. P.) D. L. Morgan (wharf-boat, L. P.) Major S. D. Oliver (wharf-boat at L. P.) George W. Smith (wharf-boat)
Mr. S. Tucker (wharf-boat)

*NOTE: Please send any history, pictures, etc. of any of the Captains Steamboats, wharf-boats, etc. They were so much a part of Carroll Parish's history. I will be glad to place them and your name here with it. I will also make a link to any websites that have a Carroll Parish connection to the subjects mentioned on this page.