Percy Swain (Rafter/Towboat, 1883-1920)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Rafter/Towboat
• BUILT: 1882 at Reads Landing, Minnesota
• FORMERLY: Minnie
• BECAME: Progress
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Sold to Memphis and renamed in 1920
• OWNERS: Captain David Swain; E.H. Kirchner and Sons
• OFFICERS & CREW: James Steadman (engineer)
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T2029; 4449; Originally built as the Minnie but in the fall of 1882 her upper works, machinery, etc. were removed and shipped by land to Devils Lake, North Dakota. The hull, which remained behind, was purchased by Captain Swain and used to build the Percy Swain. Her home port was La Crosse, Wisconsin as late as 1904. She worked as a rafter until sold to E.H. Kirchner and Sons who were river contractors at Fountain City, Wisconsin. They used her in building wing dams, etc. In 1904, as part of a government contract for rip-rap bank work, she towed barges and houseboats upriver from Clinton, Iowa
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Pushing barges past Bellevue, Iowa