Chaperone

Way, Frederick, Jr., 1901-1992
Hartford, John

picture

Chaperone (Steamboat)
Steamboats
Packets
River steamers

Orginally the J. C. Kerr and later the Choctaw. Built at Clinton, Iowa in 1904. The J. C. Kerr was built at Chambersburg, Ohio in 1884. Later, as the Chaperone she had the same dimensions or :- 121 x 27.8 x 3.0 feet. Tonnage, gross and net, listed as 125. She was taken to Evansville, Indiana by Captain R. H. Williams in the early 1890s and entered the Evansville and Green River trade where she ran a long time. She was officered mainly by the sons of Captain Williams and in June, 1897, her crew was as follows: Capt. Dick Williams, Master; T. A. Williams, Pilot; W. M. Williams, Pilot; J. Edgar Williams, Clerk; Jeff H. Williams, Clerk; J. E. Williams, Chief Engr. The Williams had her as Captain Fred Way remarked. Eventually Captain Williams entered the Evansville and Bowling Green Packet Company, putting his boat in as stock in the company. The Kerr continued to operate under that name until 1904 when she was rebuilt and her name changed to Chaperone. She was placed in the Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave trade where she was operated for several years under command of Captain Jeff H. Williams. She also filled in as an Evansville and Bowling Green packet when necessary. The Chaperon was sold to the late Captain Gid Montjoy, of Greenwood, Mississipppi, in 1917 who changed her name to Choctaw and operated her up the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Rivers for several years.

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