Sergeant Floyd (towboat) facts for kids
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| History | |
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 United States |
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| Launched | 1932 |
| Out of service | 1975 |
| Refit | 1962-1963 |
| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 306 tons |
| Length | 138.4 ft (42.2 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Draft | 3.9 ft (1.2 m) (fully loaded) |
| Depth | 5.6 ft (1.7 m) |
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Sergeant Floyd
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 Location in Iowa
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| Location | 1000 Larsen Park Rd. Sioux City, Iowa |
| Built | 1932 |
| Architect | Howard Shipyards, Inc. |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001079 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 5 May 1989 |
| Designated NHL | May 5, 1989 |
The Sergeant Floyd is a special boat that is now a museum. It is called the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center. You can find it in Sioux City, Iowa, at 1000 Larsen Park Road. This boat was built in 1932. It was used as a utility vehicle and a towboat. The Sergeant Floyd is one of the few boats left that were built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This group helps manage the rivers in the United States.
The boat has been fixed up and placed in a drydock. Now, it holds exhibits about the Missouri River. It also provides information for tourists visiting the area. The museum is part of the Sioux City Public Museum. In 1989, the Sergeant Floyd was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place.
Contents
About the Sergeant Floyd Boat
The Sergeant Floyd is located in a drydock. This drydock is in Larsen Park, right by the Missouri River in Sioux City. The boat has a strong steel body. Its upper parts, called the superstructure, are made of wood and steel.
Boat Dimensions and Features
The Sergeant Floyd is about 138.4 feet (42.2 meters) long. It is 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide. The inside of its hull is 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) deep. When the boat was full, it sat about 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) deep in the water. The front of the boat is sharp. Inside, it has strong walls called bulkheads. These walls help make the boat sturdy. It also has a special frame called a hogging frame. This frame gives extra strength if the boat ever ran aground.
Boat Levels and Upgrades
The boat's superstructure has three levels. These levels held the crew's living areas. They also had the spaces where the boat was operated. In 1937, some changes were made to the boat. These changes helped fix shaking problems in its hull. Later, in 1962 and 1963, the boat's engines were made better.
History of the Sergeant Floyd
The Sergeant Floyd was built in 1932. It was made at the Howardville Shipyard in Jeffersonville, Indiana. After it was built, it was sent to the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Kansas City.
Early Service and Role
In its early years, the boat helped move things. It carried people, equipment, and supplies. It also went on trips to check on the rivers. The Sergeant Floyd was actively used until 1975. At that time, the government decided it should become a museum boat.
Becoming a Museum Ship
First, the Sergeant Floyd traveled around as an exhibit. Then, it was docked in St. Louis, Missouri. It stayed there until 1982. After that, the boat was given to the city of Sioux City, Iowa. Today, it continues to serve as an important museum. It teaches visitors about the history of the Missouri River and river management.
See also
