From Wikipedia.
I came across mention of this ship, the Sprague, and found there was a model of it in the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, although the real one no longer exists. It must have been something to see, being the largest steampowered, sternwheel towboat ever built, earning it the name "Big Mama" at 275 feet long, 61 foot beam, 7.4 foot draft ship powered by coal-fired steam operating between 1902 to 1948.
It was built by Captain Peter Sprague and could push or pull 56 coal barges at once, setting a record at 60 one time.
After it was decommissioned, the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was its next home where it operated as a restaurant, museum and theater until it was wrecked and burned there May 15, 1974. Pieces of it are still in the Mississippi River.
The Friends of the Sprague sponsored a mural of the boat "The Big Mama of the Mississippi" as one of the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals.
Now, You Know. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
Showing posts with label the Sprague. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Sprague. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Monday, July 18, 2011
The "Big Mama" of the Mississippi
On July 14th, I wrote about the world's largest steam-powered stern wheeler towboat ever built, the Sprague. I did some more research on the boat in Wikipedia and the Encyclopedia of Dubuque.
It was built in 1901 by Captain Peter Sprague who obviously named it after himself. It's nickname was "Big Mama" and the ship was 276 feet long, had a 61-foot beam and draft of 7.4 feet., powered by coal-fired steam. It operated on the Mississippi and other rivers from 1902 to 1948 when it was decommissioned.
A model of it is at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium at Dubugue, Iowa, where it was built.
In 1948, Vicksburg, Mississippi bought the ship for a $1 and turned it into a restaurant, museum and theater until May 15, 1974 when it caught fire and was destroyed.
Pieces of the massive boat are scattered around Vicksburg. A group, the Friends of the Sprague sponsored a mural of the vessel which is located along Vicksburg's Riverfront Murals. Something to see the next time you're in Vicksburg to see the Civil War battlefield.
Interesting Story. --RoadDog
It was built in 1901 by Captain Peter Sprague who obviously named it after himself. It's nickname was "Big Mama" and the ship was 276 feet long, had a 61-foot beam and draft of 7.4 feet., powered by coal-fired steam. It operated on the Mississippi and other rivers from 1902 to 1948 when it was decommissioned.
A model of it is at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium at Dubugue, Iowa, where it was built.
In 1948, Vicksburg, Mississippi bought the ship for a $1 and turned it into a restaurant, museum and theater until May 15, 1974 when it caught fire and was destroyed.
Pieces of the massive boat are scattered around Vicksburg. A group, the Friends of the Sprague sponsored a mural of the vessel which is located along Vicksburg's Riverfront Murals. Something to see the next time you're in Vicksburg to see the Civil War battlefield.
Interesting Story. --RoadDog
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