Red Cloud (Packet, 1873-1882)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: 1873 at Jeffersonville, Indiana by Howard Ship Yard
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Snagged at Eight Point above Ft. Peck, Missouri River on July 11, 1882
• OWNERS: 1873: Evansville & Tennessee River Packet Company; 1877: I.G. Baker Line
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1876: Captain Allen J. Duncan (master), William N. Dunn and Al Maynard (clerks); 1877: Captain William Massie (master); 1882: Captain John A. Williams (master)
• RIVERS: Cumberland River; Missouri River; Red River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 4698; In 1877, while owned by I.G. Baker, she ran to Fort Benton three times. She made the trip from Bismarck to Fort Benton in 8 days 17 hours arriving on July 28, 1877. This was the all-time record. During the winter 1877-1878, she was lengthened at St. Louis. After leaving Bismarck in July 1878 upbound for the fort, she broke her shaft and returned to Bismarck. The shaft was removed and shipped by rail to Chicago for welding. In 1879, she brought 215 Mounted Police for Canada, 170 passengers, plus horses, mules, cattle and sheep to Fort Benton in one trip. She brought up 500 tons in 1882 to the fort. On July 11, 1882, she was snagged and lost at Eight Point above Fort Peck. They later named the location Red Cloud Bend. John Wenner located her wreckage in 1926