Str Argyle

The sidewheel wooden hull packet named the Argyle was built for Jacob Poe in Freedom, PA in 1853.  It was rated at 319 tons – the largest capacity Poe boat to that time.  Partners in the venture were Capt George W Ebert and Standish Peppard.  Capt Ebert commanded the boat between Cincinnati and New Orleans and St Louis and New Orleans.  Standish Peppard was the chief clerk. [1]

 

The Argyle served during the Civil War transporting Gen Grant’s troops on the Tennessee River.  She was part of the expedition to Pittsburg Landing in Apr 1862.  Later in Sep 1862 she was utilized by the Army as a temporary gunboat for river security. [2]  Whether it was impressed or contracted for gunboat duty is unknown. 

 

In Apr 1862, the Argyle was sold to Capt John Kyle and others of Cincinnati.  She sunk in deep water on 17 Jan 1867 at Taylorsport, KY.  The cabin deck and pilot house floated to Louisville and lodged at the foot of Sixth Street in Feb 1867.[3]

 

References.


[1]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 28.
[2]  Charles Dana Gibson and E Kay Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Uniion Army 1861 – 1868, (Ensign Press, Cambridge, MA 1995), p 30.
[3] Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 28.

Copyright © Francis W Nash
All Rights Reserved