Union Line (Colorado River) facts for kids

The Union Line was a company that used steamboats to move goods and people. It was owned by Thomas E. Trueworthy. The company operated in parts of California, Arizona, and Mexico.

The Union Line was a rival to another steamboat company called George A. Johnson & Company. They both operated on the Colorado River from 1864 to 1865. The Union Line was special because it was the first company to use barges pulled by steamboats on the Colorado River. This helped them carry more cargo.

Why the Union Line Started

In December 1863, merchants and miners in La Paz, Arizona, were very unhappy. They held a meeting because they were tired of slow deliveries. The Johnson & Company owned the only two steamboats on the Colorado River. This meant they had a "monopoly," or complete control, over river transport.

The miners and merchants felt that Johnson & Company was trying to make things hard for them. They believed the company wanted to control the mines. So, they decided to send someone to San Francisco. This person would ask for a new steamboat company to start on the Colorado River.

Getting Support in San Francisco

Their representative, Samuel "Steamboat" Adams, went to San Francisco. He talked to the city's business leaders, who agreed to support a new steamboat line. Local merchants raised $25,000 to help start the new company.

Adams then convinced Captain Thomas E. Trueworthy to help. Trueworthy sent the steamboat Esmerelda and a large boat called the Victoria to the Colorado River. The Esmerelda was led by Captain Charles C. Overman. These boats were meant to start the Union Line.

The Union Line on the Colorado River

The Victoria was supposed to be a floating store at the mouth of the river. However, it was quickly broken apart by strong ocean tides in March 1864. This happened soon after it reached the Colorado River Delta.

Captain Overman arrived at the river in March 1864. He then built a new boat called the Black Crook. This was the very first tow barge used on the Colorado River. A tow barge is a boat designed to be pulled by another boat, like a steamboat.

How the Union Line Changed Things

Starting in May 1864, the Black Crook was very successful. It could carry large amounts of goods up the river. This success forced the Johnson & Company to make changes. They had to lower their prices. They also built another steamboat and started using their own tow barges in 1864.

Union Line Joins Other Companies

In the summer of 1865, the Union Line joined with another company. The Esmerelda from the Union Line and the Nina Tilden from the Philadelphia Silver and Copper Mining Company combined. This new, bigger company was called the Pacific and Colorado Steam Navigation Company. Thomas E. Trueworthy also led this new company. It received financial support from important people in San Francisco.