Erastus Wells (Harbor boat, 1907-1932)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sidewheel
• BOAT TYPE: Harbor boat
• BUILT: Grafton, Illinois, 1907
• BECAME: City of St. Louis
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Renamed City of St. Louis, 1932
• OWNERS: City of St. Louis, Missouri
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Thomas Garrison (master, 1908); Captain Roy Parker (harbor master, 1927); Captain C. H. Smith (pilot, 1927)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 1895; Operated by the City of St. Louis as a harbor boat, and based there; named after the mayor of St. Louis at the time. She was a very fast boat and could accommodate 2000 passengers. The Erastus Wells took part in two presidential tours, in 1907 with President Roosevelt, and in 1909 with President Taft. When the city no longer could afford the operating costs, she was sold at public sale at St. Louis, August, 1932 for $6100. She was bought by Commodore Edwin C. Koenig, St. Louis, who renamed her City of St. Louis and remodeled her to be an excursion boat