Natchez (Packet, 1891-1918)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: 1891 at Jeffersonville, Indiana by Howard Ship Yard
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Dismantled, 1918
• OWNERS: 1891: Captain T.P. Leathers; 1896: Captain Bowling S. Leathers and Captain Blanche Douglass Leathers; May 1915: Captain William A. Duke
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1891: Captain Bowling S. Leathers (commander); 1894: Captain Blanche Douglass Leathers (clerk); 1899: Captain William A. Duke; 1902: Captain William A. Duke (master), T.C. Sachse (clerk)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 4111; Original price of Natchez was $43,000 and her home port was New Orleans, Louisiana. Owned by the aging T.P. Leathers, the Natchez was commanded by his son, Captain Bowling S. Leathers and his daughter-in-law (Captain Bowling's wife), Captain Blanche Douglass Leathers. Captain Blanche obtained her license in August 1894 and she was a no-nonsense executive and ran a tight ship. Captain T.P. died in New Orleans, June 1896. The Natchez was the only sternwheeler ever owned by the Leather's fleet and was their last boat. The Natchez had several accidents over the years: November 1896, three miles above Natchez, Mississippi she sank with 1,700 bales of cotton and 8,757 sacks of seed. Accident occurred as a result of dried hull seams. In early February, 1897 she hit the shore at Cottonwood, 20 miles below Vicksburg. Mississippi and tore away the jack-staff and stages and toppled her chimneys. She also sank at Ford's Crossing, 12 miles below Natchez in November, 1899. In 1902, Captain William A. Duke became master. She received new boilers in July 1914 and in 1915 was sold by the U.S. marshal for $6,500 to Capt. Duke. Captain Duke ran her in the New Orleans-Cariola-Grand Lake trade where she was often laid up for long periods. In 1918, she was dismantled
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Natchez fully loaded with cotton; By-standers/passengers on shore