A.I. Baker (Towboat, 192?-1943)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: 1923 at Mound City, Illinois; named Dan O'Sullivan; renamed when bought by Ayer and Lord Tie Company
• FORMERLY: Dan O'Sullivan
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sank at Mound City, Illinois 1943
• OWNERS: Ayer and Lord Tie Company; sold to Lea River Lines, May 1943
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Nelson Broadfoot (master, 1935); Hugh T. Crouse (pilot, 1935; master, 1939); Captain Frank Springer (master, 1942); Charles Slagle (pilot, 1942); Forrest L. Crutchfield (chief engineer, 1942); Robert Lips (pilot, 1942); Ed German (chief, 1942); Ross Rogers, jr. (deckhand, 1942); Robert "Bob" Stone (deckhand, 1942)
• RIVERS: Illinois River; Ohio River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0014; Worked much of the time under charter, towing for Kosmos Portland Cement Company, Union Barge Line and others; towed for Union Barge Line while the Reliance was on the Paducah ways in early 1942; twice stranded: first time on the bar at Henderson Island in 1929 and on May 7, 1940 in a cornfield at Cypress, Indiana just below Lock 48, Ohio River and the Eichleay Contracting Company got her out on June 26; named for Miss Annie I. Baker who was long associated with the Ayer and Lord firm (died July 22, 1931); although registered a new boat in 1923 when called Dan O'Sullivan, actually dates back to 1868, see Hope, Gate City, Douglas Hall, H.P. Flesher
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Stranded in cornfield