DUBUQUE
The Cabin of the Dubuque
The Deck of the Dubuque
The Dubuque was a stern-wheel wood hull packet built in Cincinnati,Oh. in 1879, originally named Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh was demolished in the St. Louis tornado in May of 1896. The hull was taken to Dubuque, rebuilt 257.2 x 40.6 x 6.1. She ran in the Diamond Jo Line. She sank at Keithsburg, Ill., after ripping a 142-foot hole in her hull, July 1901, raised. Capt. William Burke was her master 27 years under both names. Streckfus Steamers took her over and continued running her. In April 1912 she made a trip from St. Louis to Shiloh Battlefield under charter to the St. Louis & Tennessee River Packet Co. Capt. Charles R. Martin, pilot, dropped dead at the wheel as she approached the Alton railroad bridge in November 1914. The engineer on watch noticed the boat was veering, stopped and backed her. Jack Richtman, off-watch pilot, was quickly called. In the winter of 1919-1920 she was converted into an excursion boat at Keokuk and the work finished at Davenport. She was renamed Capitol. The Capitol ran excursions at St. Louis and New Orleans. She was dismantled at St. Louis, summer of 1945.
All information obtained from Captain Fred Way's Packet Directory 1848-1983. Copyright 1983 by the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. All Rights Reserved.
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