Belle of the Bends

Hartford, John

picture

Belle of the Bends (Steamboat)
Excursion boats
River steamers
Steamboats

The Belle of the Bends was thought by many rivermen to be the most excellently proportioned side-wheeler ever built, with the best lines for a boat of her size and one of the finest model hulls. D. C. B. Robinson, of Vicksburg, representing the builders - the Vicksburg and Greenville Packet Company - supervised the work. The boat made her trial trip on Monday, April 11, 1898 and then went south to enter the Vicksburg - Greenville trade, remaining there until 1912 when it became unprofitable. She was withdrawn and purchased at New Orleans for $6500 by two St. Louis men. Captain Andrew D. Franz was appointed manager and rebuilt her into an excursion boat. The beautiful cabin was torn out and converted into a large roomy dance floor. The texas was removed. On her wheel house was painted \"The Only Way The Water Way\". After the craft was rebuilt the owners took a group of people on a trip to interest them in stock in the new concern, The St. Louis Excursion and Packet Company. During the evening she collided with the excursion boat Grey Eagle and a large gash was torn in her hull just above the water line. Repairs were made and business resumed. About 1918 her name was changed to Liberty and she was shifted to Cairo. On September 27, 1919, the boat was sold by a U. S. Marshal to satisfy debts. She was purchased by Captain John F. Klein for a reported $1250. She was finally crossed out by the Inspectors and dismantled. The fine bell, containing $1500 in silver dollars, was bought by Captain Jeff Hicks for $650. He also bought the electric plant and shipped both to his home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Captain Franz bought the sidewheel shafts and flanges and installed them in the Harry G. Drees.

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Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library