River Queen (steamboat) facts for kids
Sidewheeler ferry River Queen
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Owner | Fall River lines, Vineyard Company, Nantucket & Cape Cod Steamboat Company, and Mount Vernon & Marshall Hall Steamboat Company |
| Builder | Benjamin C Terry |
| Completed | 1864 |
| Out of service | 1911 |
| Fate | Burned to the waterline |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 426 |
| Length | 181 ft (55 m) |
The River Queen was a special type of boat called a sidewheel steamer. It was built in 1864. This famous boat became closely linked with President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant. It sailed on the Potomac River during the American Civil War. In 1865, it was even used for a peace meeting. Later, the River Queen worked as a ferry. It carried people to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Towards the end of its life, it returned to the Potomac River. It was used for fun trips until it was destroyed by fire in 1911.
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Building the River Queen
The River Queen was built in Keyport, New Jersey in 1864. Its first owner was Alfred Van Santvoord. Later, it became one of four steamers for a company called the New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamboat Co. This company started in March 1886. The River Queen had already been sailing this route since 1871.
Civil War Service and Important Meetings
The U.S. Department of War rented the River Queen. General Ulysses S. Grant used it as his private boat in 1865. He used it for sending messages on the Potomac River.
The Hampton Roads Conference
On February 3, 1865, a very important meeting happened on the River Queen. This meeting was called the Hampton Roads Conference. It was an attempt to end the American Civil War. The River Queen was tied next to another ship, the Mary Martin, during the conference. Sadly, the peace talks were not successful.
Lincoln's Visits and Discussions
In March 1865, President Abraham Lincoln met on the River Queen. He talked with General William Tecumseh Sherman and Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter. General Grant was also there. They discussed plans for the end of the Civil War. Both Lincoln and Grant liked this boat very much. President Lincoln even rode on the River Queen just two days before he was assassinated in April. Captain Nathan B. Saunders was the captain of the River Queen during its time in the Civil War.
Life as a Ferry Boat
After the Civil War ended, the River Queen had a new job. It was operated by the Newport Steamboat Company. It sailed between Providence, R.I. and Newport, R.I.. Records from 1865–1872 show the River Queen was a 500-ton boat. Its homeport was Providence, and R. Buffon was listed as its owner.
In 1893, the River Queen was sold again. It went to the Mount Vernon & Marshall Hall Steamboat Co. in Washington, D.C.. From 1897 to 1900, records show the River Queen was 181 feet long. It weighed 426 tons and was a sidewheeler. It sailed out of New Bedford and was commanded by a Captain Wood.
The River Queen was still working in 1910. It was one of the oldest sidewheel boats still in service on the Potomac River. In July 1911, news reports said the River Queen burned "to the water's edge." This happened after a signal lantern exploded on board.
