Ida May (Packet, 1858-1865)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: Freedom, completed at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1858
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sank in the Red River circa December 28, 1865
• OWNERS: 1858: Captain John May (Beaver, Pennsylvania) - owned 6/16 interest, William S. Graham (Freedom, Pennsylvania), William Hamilton (Allegheny City, Pennsylvania), C. Preston and Bernard McDonald (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); David Gibson (Cincinnati, December 1862); A. S. Mansfield and H. W. Taylor (1863); U.S. Quarter Master Department (November 1863 - December 8, 1865?); James Peters (New Orleans, October 7, 1865); Augusta Richards (December 1865)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain John May (master, 1858); Captain Bill Hamilton (master, November 1858); Captain J. G. Reno (master, 1861); Captain P. D. Pratt (master, 1863)
• RIVERS: Ohio River; Mississippi River; Red River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 2714; First home port was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; ran Pittsburgh-Cincinnati. Composer Stephen Foster rode her Pittsburgh-Cincinnati in November 1858. Acquired by USQMD in November 1863, and sold December 1865 to James H. Peters, New Orleans, and transferred several days later to Augusta Richards
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Ida May in background; unidentified Civil War gunboat in foreground