Oakland (Towboat, 1872-1914)

Photographer

Feiger

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1872
• BECAME: F. M. Wallace
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Rebuilt at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania and renamed F. M. Wallace, 1914
• OWNERS: Captain Tom Fawcett and Captain William "McKeesport Billy" Smith (1872); St. Louis & Mississippi Valley Transportation Company (1880-September 1901); People's Coal Company, Pittsburgh (September 1901-1907); Monongahela River Consolidated Coal and Coke Company, also known as the Combine (1907-1913)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Gus Seifert and Billy Smith (1877); Captain John W. Pierce (circa 1880-1901); George Clark (master, spring 1880); Captain Cal Blazier and Captain Billy Stout (circa 1901-1907); Captain George R. Bower (chief engineer, 1907-1911)
• RIVERS: Ohio River; Mississippi River; Salt River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T1945; Built by Captain Tom Fawcett and Captain Billy Smith for towing coal from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, with fancy-topped smokestacks and a texas deck with a fancy railed porch. A fast boat when traveling light, she ran Cairo to Portland, Kentucky, 400 miles with several stops, in 31 hours; she also went from Salt River to Louisville, 20 miles with one stop, in less than two hours. She took some record grain tows south when working for St. Louis and Mississippi Valley Transportation. She also towed the showboat New Sensation, spring 1880. After towing coal for the People's Coal Company, she was acquired by the Combine, who operated her until 1913 and then rebuilt and renamed her F. M. Wallace. The roof bell of the Oakland had been presented to Captain Billy Smith by A. Fulton and Son, Pittsburgh, and later was on the Crucible which was under the command of Captain Billy's grandson, Captain Wallace A. Smith
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: On the Ohio River at Pomeroy, Ohio