Vernie Mac (Rafter, Towboat, 1892-1920?)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter, Towboat
• BUILT: 1892 at Wabasha, Minnesota
• BECAME: Bessie Katz
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Renamed Bessie Katz circa 1919/1920
• OWNERS: D. J. McKenzie, Alma, Wisconsin (1892); John A. Kent, Interstate Navigation Company (1898-1899); Captain Walter Pell; Charles T. Campbell
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain William Weir (master, 1892); Daniel Davidson (pilot, 1894); Silas Alexander (pilot, 1895-1896); John Fuller (engineer for a time); Roy Fuller (engineer, 1898-1899); William Hayes (mate for a time); Henry C. Doughty (master, 1897); Captain Norman F. Thom (master, circa 1917); Captain Walter Pell (master)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; St. Croix River; Ohio River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T2518; After a rafting career, she towed showboats, among them the Wonderland, with Captain Norman F. Thom, master. In 1898 she was owned and operated by the Interstate Navigation Company, towing excursion barges on the St. Croix River. She had been purchased by them to replace the Gracie Kent, which was too light for the Stillwater-Taylors Falls passenger run. The river was clogged with log rafts, a situation which resulted in many lawsuits. The Vernie Mac was able to get through. On one occasion, a Sunday excursion, the Vernie Mac and the Columbia, a competing boat owned by the Boom Company, left Stillwater together for a trip to Taylors Falls and back. The Vernie Mac beat the Columbia's time both ways. She had several mishaps in her career. In September, 1904 she sank in 16 feet of water at Pilcher's Point above Vicksburg. Towing the Wonderland in July 1917 she sank it on a rock below Lock 20, Ohio River. Over time she fell into disrepair; her stacks fell off at the hinges and were not replaced. About this time Captain Walter Pell took possession of her and chartered her out. In November 1917 she was towing gasoline between Catlettsburg and Pittsburgh under contract to Charles T. Campbell and others. She left Pittsburgh in May, 1918, towing a new barge for the Aluminum Ore Company. She was still contract jobbing when she broke a shaft in the fall of 1919 and was laid up at Evansville. Sometime later she was put to towing a garbage barge
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Circa 1917?