The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS

Elizabeth,

Now you're talking! I have a thumbnail history of the "B. M. Runyon" on pages 35-6 of Frederick Way, Jr.'s "Way's Packet Directory, 1848-1984."

The side-wheeler was built in 1858 in Cincinnati, was 230 feet by 34 feet, for the Nashville to New Orleans trade, but also ran Nashville to St.Louis. Captain James Miller, who built the vessel, sold it in June 1862 to a Mr. Mitchell of Alton, IL for the St. Louis to Alton trade. Sank below Alton that December in shallow water. She was raised and extensively repaired at St. Louis in spring 1864. The "B. M. Runyon" was fatally snagged on 21 July 1864 at Island 84, Gaines Landing, MS while in US service. Many of the passengers were soldiers whose enlistments had expired bound for Cairo, IL, to be mustered out. Estimates of loss of like ran from "more than 70" to "more than 150." The cabin separated from the hull and lodged on a sandbar in American Cut Off. This was formed in 1858 and the old course of the river today is Lake Lee in AR on the east bank nor far below Greenville, MS. Today (1980) the river channel is west of American Cut Off near Lakeport, AR.

Your persistence paid off! I wish you continued good hunting!

Bruce

Messages In This Thread

late boat burnings?
Re: late boat burnings?
Re: late boat burnings?
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS
Re: Steamer unloading 10 MO Cav Skiffer's Lng, MS