Samuel Clarke (Towboat, 1870-1916)

Phtotgrapher

Barrette, Thornton

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Towboat
• BUILT: 1870 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Retired, 1916
• OWNERS: 1870: William Clarke and others; Later: Walton Fleet; Later: Pittsburgh Transportation Company; 1900: The Combine
• OFFICERS & CREW: ca. 1870: Captain Samuel S. Dean (master), J.L. Reno (pilot); ca. 1885: Captain Lee McCain (master), Harry Marthens and then John A. Burns (chief engineers); ca. 1900: Captain James Morris (master), "Sawdust Jack" McDonough (mate)
• RIVERS: Monongahela River; Muskingum River; Ohio River; Mississippi River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T2258; While in the Walton Fleet she towed coal south from Pittsburgh. After 1900 the Samuel Clarke made a couple of trips to New Orleans that were recognized as breaking records. Captain McCain was master for for 15 years prior to 1900 and Captain James Morris was master for 13 years starting in around 1900. She was known as one of the best proportioned of the Pittsburgh coal fleet and had dexterous flanking ability. In 1915, the Combine retired her and she was partially dismantled