B. Hershey (Rafter, 1877-1913)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter
• BUILT: 1877 at Rock Island, Illinois by Cauke Brothers
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sank while doing a job of levee work at East St. Louis sometime in 1913, circumstances unknown
• OWNERS: Hershey Lumber Company of Muscatine, Iowa (1878); Valley Navigation Company; Cyrian and Joseph Buisson (1892-1898); Captain Van Sant; J. E. Kaiser; Burlington Lumber Company and Captain Al. O. Day
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Cyprian Buisson (master and pilot, 1877-1898); Antoine LaRogue (pilot for 10 to 12 years, circa 1877); Harry Dyer (pilot); Henery/Henry Buisson (pilot, 1899, 1900); William Dobler (captain or pilot, 1905); Ira Decamp (pilot); Stephan Withrew (pilot); Alvin E. Fuller (engineer, 1893); Sol S. Fuller (engineer, 1892); Bert Archer (mate, 1902); John Burns (mate); John Wright (chief engineer); Captain Suplein Buisson (master, 1876); Captain William Weir (master)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0190; Home port in 1902 was Rock Island, Illinois; used the Everett as a bow boat. From 1901-1913 she carried a passenger license, typical of other rafters which did some excurison work. Burned at Stillwater, Minnesota in November 1906. On January 11, 1909, while in winter quarters in harbor at Davenport, Iowa, she sunk from some unknown cause; raised. Damage was $2000