Iowa (steamboat) facts for kids
The Steamboat Iowa was a very famous boat on the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s. People thought it was one of the biggest and fastest boats around! It was so important that it's even shown on the official Seal of Iowa.
The Iowa was built in 1838. It was the first boat to be named after the new Iowa Territory. This steamboat weighed 112 tons, which is like weighing 22 large elephants! It was strong enough to pull 10 smaller boats called keelboats. The Iowa was also incredibly fast. In 1843, it set a speed record, traveling from Galena, Illinois, to St. Louis in just 44 hours. This record stood for six years, until 1849.
What Happened to the Steamboat Iowa?
Sadly, the original Iowa sank after it crashed with another steamboat called the Declaration. This happened on October 1, 1847, while the Iowa was traveling from New Orleans to St. Louis.
Later, there was a big legal case about who was responsible for the crash. The case even went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court!
It seems the Iowa might have been rebuilt after the crash, or perhaps a new steamboat was given the same name. This is because a similar side-wheel steamboat appeared in a book from 1865. There are also records that mention an Iowa steamboat being used to carry soldiers during the American Civil War.
Other Ships Named Iowa
Over the years, several other ships and boats have been named Iowa:
- The U.S. Navy started naming ships USS Iowa in 1864.
- A different kind of boat, a stern-wheel rafter/packet also named Iowa, traveled the Mississippi River from 1865 to 1900.
- From 1921 to 1954, a stern-wheel towboat named Iowa worked on the Mississippi.
- There was also a dredge (a boat used to dig up mud from the river bottom) named Iowa from 1932 to 1956.
- An ocean-going steamer (a large ship that travels across oceans) named Iowa was used in the late 1800s.
- In 1898, an excursion steamboat (a boat used for fun trips) named Iowa was launched in Independence, Iowa. It was a popular attraction for several years. However, high water carried it over the Independence dam, and it was destroyed.
