BOAT BUILDING

Launching the Herbert Hoover, 1931. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Launching the Del Commune, 1937. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Launching the Tenaru River, 1943. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Launching the Moon River Queen 1962. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

BOAT BUILDING. One of the primary industries to develop in Dubuque, boat building really began after the CIVIL WAR. Prior to that, boats tended to be small and for local use. Larger boats were constructed along the Ohio River or the lower MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Beginning around 1870, boat building in Dubuque became a booming industry. On August 13, 1920 the "Frisco" became the ninety-ninth steamer constructed in the city. (1)

Some of the boats were constructed by unknown builders. These include the:

Jo Gales--a ferry boat between Dubuque and Dunleith owned and operated by Charles H. Merry.

The Douglas Boardman--a passenger steamer with wooden hull built by W. J. Young

The D. W. Hewitt--freight boat constructed in 1865

The Lansing--ferry from Dubuque to East Dubuque built by J. R. Graves, A. F. Jaeger, and J. Rhomberg

The A. J. Dorchester--a freight boat constructed in 1869 by H. J. Reed

The General Hyde Clark--a tow boat built in 1870

J. A. Rhomberg--Eagle Point ferry built by Fred Schreiner in 1870

Julia--built in 1871 as a passenger steamer with a wooden hull.

The Fire Fly--built in 1875 as a tow boat by Laura E. Smith

The James McMurchy--a ferry at Specht's Ferry built by Mrs. Specht in 1876

The Julia--built in 1876 as a tow boat

The Key City--ferry to Dunleith built in 1876

The Lily Turner--passenger steamer built in 1882

J. G. Chapman--built in 1882 as a freight boat

The George L. Bass--built in 1885 as a passenger steamer for P. Gilmartin and Henry Schroeder

The Rose--built in 1886 as a passenger steamer

The Jeanne Hopkins--built in 1887 by M. H. Moore

The Reindeer---built in 1888 by the Mississippi Towing Company

The Betsy Ann--built in 1899 as a passenger steamer

Joy Patten--built in 1891 as a passenger steamer for L. E. Patton

The L. E. Patton--built in 1894 by L. E. Patton as a passenger steamer

The Charles H. Organ--built in 1897 as a passenger steamer

Most were constructed by the following:

See: JOHNSON AND KALKE

See: DIAMOND JO LINE

See: IOWA IRON WORKS

See: DUBUQUE BOAT AND BOILER WORKS

See: DIAMOND JO BOATYARD

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Source:

1. "Dubuque, A Boat Building Centre," Telegraph Herald, August 21, 1910, p. 10