Eclipse (Packet, 1878-1887)

Date

• ca. 1880

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: California, Pennsylvania, at Ebberman and McFall yard, 1878
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Fatally snagged 15 miles below Sioux City, Iowa on September 3, 1887
• OWNERS: 1878: A.B. Sheperd (Wellsville, Ohio), Alex V. Caughey, Frank S. Moore and John D. Biggert (all of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania); last owned by: Montana Transportation Company
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1878: Frank S. Moore (master), A.B. Sheperd (clerk); Captain Isaac P. Baker (master)
• RIVERS: Missouri River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 1693; The Eclipse was advertised on June 1, 1878, Pittsburgh to leave on her first trip to Fort Benton direct. She made 11 trips to the fort between 1878-1887. In 1881 she was the flagship of a fleet of steamboats carrying several thousand Indians from Yellowstone to agencies in the Dakotas. In 1887 she sank twice. First in June, in shallow water, and quickly raised. She was fatally snagged 15 miles below Sioux City, Iowa on September 3, 1887
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Left to right: Unknown; Nellie Peck; Red Cloud; Gen. Chas. H. Tompkins; Eclipse. Photo taken ca. 1880 at the Bismarck, North Dakota steamboat landing. Crew on decks of Eclipse