Chaperon (Rafter/Towboat, 1904-1934)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter/Towboat
• BUILT: Clinton, Iowa, 1904
• BECAME: Sand dredge, 1934
• OWNERS: 1904: Garrett Lamb of C. Lamb and Sons; c.1927: Captain J.W. Menke; Unknown dates: Indiana Tie Company; November, 1934: Tri-State Dredging Company, Keokuk, Illinois, Clarence Miller (president)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Ohio River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 0938; The Chaperon was often hitched to the Lamb family houseboat Summer Girl for river excursions and tours, several time through to New Orleans. Captain Menke bought her around 1927 for towing his showboat. She hit an obstruction at the Paducah-Brookport bridge on October 23, 1929 and sank. She was raised, lay around Paducah for a year or more then was sold to the Indiana Tie Company. In November 1934 she was purchased then converted into a sand dredge by the Tri-State Dredging Company, Keokuk, Illinois
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Deck hand posing on Chaperon