Fashion (Packet, 1877-1890)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet
• BUILT: Howard Ship Yards, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 1877
• FINAL DISPOSITION: June, 1890 she hit a bank and went down
• OWNERS: 1877: Louisville and Henderson Mail Line; 1878: Captain W.S. Packer and others; Later: Captain E.B. Cooper, Al Slaven, Captain Anthony (Tony) Meldahl
• OFFICERS & CREW: 1878: Captain W.S. Packer, Sid Humphrey (clerk); After 1878: Captain E.B. Cooper (master), Al Slaven (clerk), Captain Anthony (Tony) Meldahl (pilot), J.A. Garaner and J.H. Brookhart (assistant clerks); 1890: Aaron McLaughlin (pilot)
• RIVERS: Ohio River; Kentucky River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 2021; Original cost was $20,714. Under Captain W.S. Packer the Fashion was used for the trade between Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Under Captain E.B. Cooper she was in the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati trade. June, 1890 while downbound at Riggs Landing, head of Manchester Islands, she hit the Kentucky shore at night and went down. Pilot Aaron McLaughlin had mistaken a lantern in a house as the government light. The cargo was principally Hostetter's Bitters, a cure-all of high alcoholic content made in Pittsburgh. Bottles were strewn all along the shore and were picked up for years after. She was a double-stage boat
• PHOTO DESCRIPTION: The Fashion tied up at a wharfboat