Steamer "Rockford", Rockford, IL

*RE: Str. ROCKFORD*
Hello, Ric Skinner,
Just 'clicked' and read you quest above for information on the Str. ROCKFORD. I yanked down WAY'S PACKET DIRECTORY, 1848-1983 [Capt. Fred Way] and, so far, see no listing for the ROCKFORD you mention above. WAY'S STEAM TOWBOAT DIRECTORY also fails to list such a boat. Again, Way's PACKET DIRECTORY includes information, references only on steamboats built 1848 and after with the emergence of photography. This doesn't mean your ROCKFORD can't be found. Such happened with Capt. Way stating "boats slipped through the cracks." Also many steamboats listed running on smaller streams were not included. Yet, Galena was then an important point for boats arriving, departing. "She weighed 24 tons" indicates she was rather small being in that class of the 'mosquito fleet.' Captn' Walnut [Tom Schiffer] here is an expert in smaller steam vessels of the 'launch' type and may know more. I could only 'guess' in ignorance the ROCKFORD had one small boiler but no idea if sternwheel. Archival newspapers of the day in Galena and the cities listed may provide more information. Others here may also know. Good luck and keep us posted.

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

Steamer ROCKFORD

Ric,

This probably is not your vessel but I thought I'd pass it along anyway: Mary Stovar mentions a steamer ROCKFORD in her publication "A River History." She describes it as a small packet boat that ran daily between Andalusia, Rock Island and Davenport in 1864. The owners at that time were S.M. Barry, Capt. S.R. Buffum and John Buffum. Not on the Rock River but, who knows, maybe she made it over to the Mississippi River.

Jerry

Steamer "Rockford"

Jerry - can you provide a link or complete citation for the book? It doesn't show up when I google.

Ric

Steamboat ROCKFORD

Ric,

Google:
The Village of Andalusia, Illinois – History.

Jerry

Comment about Dale's posting about 24 tons. That is a small steamer in commerce but is over 20 times as heavy as my little 22 foot steam launch that carries five or six. The ROCKFORD would have been, in my opinion, a paddle wheeler, not a propeller boat due to the former being better suited to shallow rivers. I'd guess a 24 tonner would need a 3 foot draft to keep the propeller under water! A paddle wheeler might even get by on two feet of water. Cap'n Walnut.

Steamer "Rockford"

Jerry -- thanks, I'll try to get a copy of Mary Stovar's book through interlibrary loan.

Tom -- SSHSA researcher provided that Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States 1790-1868, also known as the Lytle-Holdcamper list has a listing for her stating she was built in 1859 in Rockford, Illinois, with her home port being Galena, Illinois. She weighed 24 tons, and her registry number was 21350. She was either abandoned, or disappeared from official records, around 1869. According newspaper articles in Rockford, IL newspapers she was used for river excursions between Oregon and Rockton.

Steamer "Rockford" file upload

I would be happy to send a document of newspaper clippings regarding the "Rockford" to anyone who provides an email. It's too large to upload to this forum.

Ric
[email protected]

Ric, I have a book on Rock River steamboats at home; I am at work now. I'll try to remember to look up this boat in a week or two.

Steamer "Rockford"

Bob Reynolds -- if you have title and author I'll see if I can find it online or through inter-library loan. Even if the "Rockford" is not listed it could be a good general reference on Rock River river boats.

Also, I'd be happy to send you my research (mostly mid-1800s newspaper articles) regarding the "Rockford" if you'll send me your email.

Ric
[email protected]

Rock River Steamers Book

Hi Bob -- wondering if you were able to find the title and author of the book you mentioned in an earlier post.

Thanks,

Ric
[email protected]

Rick, I am at work right now and don't get off this boat until 12/23. I'm sure it will be after Christmas before I have a chance to look, but I will look.

Bob

Rock River Steamers Book

Bob,

Thanks. I'll look forward to hearing from you. Have safe trip.

Send me your email and I'll send you what I've compiled so far about the Steamer "Rockford", if you're interested.

Ric

I'm late to the party if you will, I assume this information is known?

Bells and Whistles of the Steamboats on the Rock River | Midway Village Museum Collections

Bob Reynolds, can you give us information on this book on the Rock River you have? I would like to see if there is anything on the N P Hawks which was built on the Rock River up here in Watertown, WI

thanks!

Pete

Keep your pants on. guys. I just looked where I thought (for sure) the book was, but it's not there! Not to worry. I will see if I can find it, but it may take a bit longer. Patience!

Congratulations to Capt. Bob Reynolds. He has passed the final test to be admitted to the title of River Historian. He joins the excuses like "dusty old boxes", "it's somewhere in a chest", "it's on my desk, I know it is", or as my wife says, "it's in Judd's junk".

Okay, strike two (or maybe a foul to behind home plate). I found "Steamboats on the Fox River [of Wisconsin]" which MIGHT have been the book I was thinking was a book on Rock River boats. The chances dwindle, but don't give up quite yet...

Pants?

I have that same copy of the book on Steamboats of the Fox system in Wisconsin, D.C. Mitchell the author...which is a great-great book by the way....historically very accurate as well, something which is a lost art today, even with the internet being a preverbial viewfinder. I acquired that book from my late grandfather's collection 20 years ago.

I for one have been thankful to have been to the spring fed source of one of the Rock's starting branches, as well as to it's mouth @ the Mississippi.

Bill Judd;32684 wrote: Congratulations to Capt. Bob Reynolds. He has passed the final test to be admitted to the title of River Historian. He joins the excuses like "dusty old boxes", "it's somewhere in a chest", "it's on my desk, I know it is", or as my wife says, "it's in Judd's junk".

My God, I must be magna cum laude then. I can honestly say though, the check for 2014 membership to S&D is in the mail. I didn't let that bill get lost in the mess on the kitchen table.

I have compiled a 67 page detailed summary of my research, mostly from 19th century newspaper articles, about the Steamer "Rockford" which operated on the Rock River upriver and downriver of Rockford, IL. If you would like a copy, please email me -- [email protected].