Pittsburgh & Cincinnatti Packet Line Pass

Very very cool!

Thanks for posting that.

*P&C LINE 'pass'/Henderson family interests*
Morning, Kathleen, Ron & Steamboating colleagues:
Thanks, Kathleen, for again posting the PITTSBURGH & CINCINNATI LINE pass from your collection. I duly noted the penned name of Jas. A. Henderson on the pass. He, and the Henderson family, not only renowned river people, captains etc. in their own right but investors, big wheels [No pun intended] in the venerable P&C LINE for many years down to 1912 when the company was disbanded, sold to wealthy industralist 'Shovel King' John W. Hubbard of Pittsburgh. With the deal Hubbard took possession of the famed Str. QUEEN CITY and other boats. Hubbard, a great steamboat fan, was something of an oddity investing huge amounts of money into the packet business which was already in slow, steady decline. He reached his apogee purchasing the L&C LINE and in a few years building the great sidewheel CINCINNATI. Hubbard took control of P&C LINE in 1912 changing the name to OHIO & MIISSISSIPPI NAVIGATION CO.'

The original P&C LINE had a long history dating back to on/around 1846. Capt. Fred Way divided the company history in two eras: before 1878 and after. One of their finest marine designers in later years was famed J. Frank Ellison. Ellison and Henderson not only rivermen in their own right but in business and marine design/construction. The P&C LINE favored boat building yards in the immediate Pittsburgh area with some of their finest boats built here at the CINCINNATI MARINE RAILWAY CO. down on Eastern Avenue near Fulton producing what was regarded as the finest steamboats of their time on inland rivers. The line, among others, owned/ran the BUCKEYE STATE, VIRGINIA, HUDSON, KEYSTONE STATE, QUEEN CITY. James Henderson collaborated on the commitee with J. Frank Ellison to study, redesign, rebuild the replica Str. NEW ORELANS for the then big 1811 centennial celebration.

The excellent card you posted here finely printed with the company name, logo and Henderson's signature--and I've seen other examples of the same hereabouts. In short, these 'Passes' were similar to today's business credit cards given to prominent shippers, company officials, guests aboard on business or by social invitation. The 'Passes' covered free use of cabin, all meals etc. These 'Passes' comparable to the official 'Letter of Introduction' so common in pre-Victorian years and later to establish credit, social/business intoductions for those traveling here and abroad. Without these 'Passes' or 'Letters' the individual was dead in the water. There was also here in Cincinnati a large mutual investment in the P&C LINE by the Johnston family. I knew the descendents/members of that family socially until some years ago when they passed away. The name on the second 'Pass' under the first hard for me to decipher with my dismal eyes. Perhaps somebody can translate that name. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Ms L

The Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Packet Line was organized by Capt Jackman Taylor Stockdale and Capt Thomas Stevenson Calhoon in Nov 1877. Both men hailed from Georgetown, PA. At that time The officers of the line were Jackman T Stockdale (Superintendent with offices in Pittsburgh), James A Henderson (Steamboat agent with offices in Pittsburgh), Charles M Fairman (Steamboat Agent with offices in Cincinnati). Thomas Stevenson Calhoon was the Commander of the Katie Stockdale.

James A Henderson took control of the line after Capt Stockdale died on 8 Jun 1887.

The history of the packet line is a fun story. Its boats were the most luxurious on the Ohio River at the time. The decline of the Piitt and Cin Packet Line caused to a great degree b JP Morgan is a fun story also.

Thanks for sharing your boarding pass image.
Fran Nash