Georgetown Steamboats

The Buckeye State was a sidewheel wooden hull packet built in Shousetown, PA, and finished in Pittsburgh, in 1850.[1]  In Way’s Directory, the dimensions of the hull, engines, boilers, paddlewheel, and buckets are provided in great detail.  The Buckeye State, a large packet, operated in the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line.  Capt Samuel Reno was the captain on her maiden voyage departing Pittsburgh on 17 Feb 1850. [2]

 The original owners were listed on the Certificate of Enrollment in the Custonhouse recrords at Pittsburgh.

 

Str Buckeye State

 

Owners and Partners	Share	Vol:	6633
David Holmes		Enroll No :	21
Thomas S Clarke		Cert Date:	16 Fec 1850
Wm Bingham		Cert Type::	Admeasurement
Robert Hays		Build Locn:	Shousetown, PA
Samuel Reno		Build Date:	1850

 

 

The competition on the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati route was heated.  Capt William J Kountz, as an independent owner, operated the steamer Cincinnati on the route.    The fierce competition wore on Capt Reno, who died in Cincinnati on 28 Mar 1850.  Command fell to Capt Samuel Dean and Capt Reno’s body was returned to Pittsburgh on the Buckeye State.[3]

 

On 1 May 1850, Capt Dean arranged a “speed trial” for the new boat.  Departing Cincinnati at 05:11 AM, the Buckeye State arrived in Pittsburgh 43 hours later.[4]  468 miles in 43 hours.  No boat had ever done so well, and no steamboat ever since that date has equaled the feat. To commemorate the event, a large wooden buck was mounted on the pilot house.  Speed records were important.   As long as the boat could retain the horns, it would command higher rates for freight and passengers.  The officers, the captain, the pilots, the clerks, engineers, and stewards would also command higher salaries even if they moved to other assignments.  The crew on this fast run included:

 

Master:            Capt Samuel Dean

First clerk:       Standish Peppard

Second clerk:              John D Williams

Pilots:              William Clark and Tom Witten

Chief engineer:  Thomas Kennedy

Second engineer:  CB Matthews

Mate:               Thomas Davis

 

 

Standish Peppard, the head clerk, lived in Georgetown, PA.   His wife was Elizabeth Poe.

 

One year later, PT Barnum chartered the Messenger No 2 and arranged a race with the Buckeye State.  The Buckeye State won handily.[5] 

 

Capt MW Beltzhoover was her commander the last few years.  In 1857, the Buckeye State was dismantled. [6]

 

 

 

 

 

References.

 

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[1]  Frederick Way, Jr.,Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994, (Ohio University Press, Athens 1994), p. 63.
[2]  Ibid.
[3]  Ibid.
[4]  Ibid.
[5]  Ibid.
[6]  Ibid.