Gardie Eastman (Rafter, 1882-1926)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter
• BUILT: Stillwater, Minnesota, 1882
• BECAME: McWilliams, 1926
• OWNERS: 1882: Gardiner, Batchelder and Wells of Lyons, Iowa: Fetter and Crosby, contractors; July 1920: McWilliams Dredging Company
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1882: Captain Joseph Buisson, John Haskel (pilot), Harry Wilkinson (clerk), J.P. Smith (1st engineer), Joe Fuller (2nd engineer); 1890: Captain John Moore (master), Captain Joseph Hawthorne (pilot); 1894: Chris Gardiner (pilot); 1896: Captain Charles Carpenter; 1912: Captain Al Fetter (master); 1915: Captain Frank Wilson (master), Charles Brandon (2nd engineer); 1920: Captain E. Johnson (master); 1922: Captain L.C. Migaud (pilot); 1923: Captain Lopaz Lannus (master); unknown dates: Captain "Chess" Wilcox (master); Clair C. Fuller (chief engineer)
• RIVERS: Ohio River; Mississippi River; Red River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0876; The Gardie Eastman was used by Fetter and Crosby, contractors, for river improvement work. Captain Fetter rebuilt her at the Kahlke yard and after his death in July, 1920, the boat was sold to the McWilliams Dredging Company. They sent her to Shreveport, Louisiana on the Red River and she arrived there on April 21, 1922 with Captain L.C. Migaud as pilot. She was rebuilt at Madison, Indiana in 1926 and renamed McWilliams
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Gardie Eastman on river