Belle of the Bends (Packet, 1898-1918)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sidewheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: 1898 at Jeffersonville, Indiana by Howard Ship Yard
• BECAME: Liberty
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Converted into an excursion boat and renamed Liberty
• OWNERS: Vicksburg and Greenville Packet Company (1898); Mr. A.D. Frantz (circa 1910), St. Louis Excursion and Packet Company; H.S. Albrecht (1917)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain A.F. Nimtz (1900); Charlie Kain (clerk, 1901); Harry Bumgartner (clerk, 1901); Henry McFarland (clerk, 1901); Billy Newbill (pilot, 1901); Joe Delahunt (pilot, 1901); Mike O'Keefe (engineer, 1901); George Meir (engineer, 1901); James McGowan (steward, 1901); Captain Sam G. Smith (manager and purser, 1907); Captain Maurice Killeen (master, 1913); Captain Milt Henry (1914); Tom Parker (pilot, 1914); Captain George F. Carroll (master, 1914); Captain Frank Gill (master, May 1914); Captain Steve E. Greenwell (1915); Ed. Hellings (engineer, 1914-15); Captain Morrissy (1910); J.O. Tayon (pilot)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Cumberland River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 0531; Built for Vicksburg and Greenville Packet Company, J.J. Powers president and D.C.B. Robinson supervised construction, both of Vicksburg. One of the more handsome of medium-sized sidewheelers; had all the Anchor Line grace, double stages and all. Ran Greenville-Vicksburg for many years--from 1899-1904 or later made twice weekly mail runs between those two cities for the packet company of that name. Was flagship of the parade celebrating the opening of the canal at Vicksburg when the Yazoo River mouth was diverted on January 17, 1903--quite an occasion inasmuch as Vicksburg had virtually been cut off the river since Centennial Cut Off which happened April 26, 1876. Sank at Peeler's Landing, 40 miles above Vicksburg, September 1909, and was raised. Sank at Fitler's Landing, 20 miles below Lake Providence during a snowstorm in February 1910 and was raised. Another version states that she was caught in a heavy snowstorm while proceeding up the Mississippi River shortly after leaving Hayes Landing, Mississippi on February 10, 1910 and ran aground at full speed on a sand bar; estimated damage $10,000. Then operated by Captain Morrissy; ran excursions at New Orleans in the winter 1910-11. Used in the Nashville grain trade after 1904. Was converted into an excursion boat and renamed Liberty. In 1940 her roof bell was at the Altheimer Plantation near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Original price $33,500; home port or owner's residence circa 1898 was Vicksburg, Mississippi