W. N. Chancellor (Packet, 1879-1892)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: 1879 at Parkersburg, West Virginia
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Dismantled around 1892
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain E.P. Chancellor (master, 1879-1881); Ira Huntington (clerk , 1879-1881); John Brookhart (clerk, 1879-1881); Elmer Ellsworth Stone (2nd clerk, 1881); Clarke Barringer (clerk, 1887); William H. Clarke (pilot); Jeff Frame (mate)
• RIVERS: Ohio River; Kanawha River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 5651; In 1880 she ran Pittsburgh-Cincinnati; in 1881, Kanawha River-Cincinnati; in 1882, Pittsburgh-Charleston. She was the first regular boat in the Pittsburgh-Charleston run. That run proved very lucrative and boats ran there until the end of the packet days. On July 4, 1882 she was the first boat at the scene of the Scioto-John Lomas disaster. The W.N. Chancellor carried an orchestra comprised of African-Americans including Ben Coleman who played bass viol while whistling and singing "Listen to the Mocking Bird". The W.N. Chancellor eventually wore out due to age and was dismantled at Hartford City, West Virginia. Much of her equipment went into building the towboat George W. Moredock in 1892