Robert Dodds (Rafter/Towboat, 1882-1919)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter/Towboat
• BUILT: Stillwater, Minnesota, 1882
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sold and dismantled circa 1919
• OWNERS: Schulenburg and Boeckeler Lumber Company, St. Louis, Missouri (1890); Dodds Steamboat Company (circa 1893); John D. Pierson, Clinton, Iowa (1897); Ida Moore Lachmund, Clinton, Iowa; Captain Ralph Emerson Gaches (January, 1909); Captain E. A. Price (September 11, 1909); J. W. Menke and others (circa 1917-1918); Ripley Coal Company, Ripley, Ohio (circa 1918-1919)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Robert Dodds (master, 1882; also river manager for Schulenburg and Boeckeler Lumber Company); Captain George Brasser (master, 1890); James and George Gleason (pilots, 1890); Captain Charles Roman (master, 1896); Henry A. Horton (chief engineer, 1897); Lewis Day (assistant engineer, 1897); Ernest Bright (clerk, 1897); Fred Lachmund (clerk, 1897); Captain John Pierson (master, 1899-1900); John Monroe (pilot, 1900); Captain Jim Hooff (pilot, 1915); Charlie Page (engineer, 1915); S. C. Goodloe (chief engineer); James H. Harris (engineer for several years); William Babat (master for a time); Hugh M. Caffrey (master)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Ohio River; Cumberland River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T2170; Schulenburg & Boeckeler ran her as a rafter, as did Captain John D. Pierson and Ida Moore Lachmund. Ida Moore Lachmund personally owned and operated the Robert Dodds, transporting logs for two saw-mills and tending to its business for six years. She was well liked and respected in the raft trade on the upper Mississippi River. Captain Ralph Emerson Gaches bought the boat in January, 1909, to tow his showboat and that same year sold it and his showboat Grand Floating Palace to Captain E. A. Price on September 11. She was damaged July 26, 1909 while towing the showboat Emerson near Montrose, Iowa; damage estimated at $300. She was rebuilt at Vicksburg, 1911, and documented as a new boat. In spring 1917 Captain Price sold her to J. W. Menke and others. Sunk at Newburgh, Indiana, the new owners raised her in fall 1917, ran her through the big ice of 1918 at Paducah, and towed corn out of Cumberland River in spring 1918. She was dismantled soon after being sold to Ripley Coal, and her machinery went to the towboat J. H. Donald, Jr. in 1920
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: On the right, the Robert Dodds; on the left, the showboat Greater New York