CAPT JAMES CASS MASON

1860-1864: CAPT JAMES CASS MASON

November, 1860 - James Cass Mason (future captain of Sultana) married Rowena Mary Dozier, daughter of James Dozier, wealthy owner of the steamboat Rowena built in 1858 and captained by Dozier’s son Frank. Mason worked as a clerk on the Rowena.

October, 1861 - James Mason buys Frank Dozier’s interest in the Rowena and takes command as her captain. Mason had begun his river career working as a clerk on other steamboats and then as Capt/owner of several boats mainly running the Missouri River. Mason was known as a risk-taker, brash, often reckless.

June, 1862 - Capt Mason takes the Rowena on first trip down the Mississippi; making several runs between St Louis and Memphis.

Early February, 1863 - With Captain Mason in command, Rowena was detained by Union officials and inspected for illegal goods. Medicine and 2,000 pair of gray pants intended for rebel forces were discovered and confiscated. Mason and his officers were arrested and charged with aiding & abetting the Confederacy. A Union crew took Rowena down to Memphis, and once there she was seized by federal authorities and sent to Cairo for disposition. She was subsequently used in support of the Union army during the rest of February and most of March to run supplies and troops to General Grant in Memphis.

March 20, 1863 - Steamboat Rowena’s final disposition was to be sold at auction in April. The seizure and total loss of the boat prompted James Dozier to cut off all contact with his daughter’s husband. Mason’s reputation as a reckless risk taker was now widely known.

March 30, 1863 - Mason had been released from federal custody and, surprisingly, was back on the river as captain of the steamboat Belle Memphis.

April 18, 1863 - Between Cairo and St Louis, Rowena hit a snag and sank, a total loss.

July, 1863 - The wrecked Rowena was sold at auction for parts and scrap.

Mid-1863 to mid-1864: Belle Memphis spends the next year making runs between St. Louis and New Orleans. Brash, reckless Capt Mason was not afraid to push his boat at top speed, run safety risks to gain advantage, or enter races as he did with City of Alton and Sultana in April, 1863.

To include your stories and other information in this site,
Email us at Webmaster.

Comments, suggestions,
additional info are
always welcomed.,
Please contact: Webmaster
Nova Development Art Explosion



	1860-1864: CAPT JAMES CASS MASON
	November, 1860 - James Cass Mason (future captain of Sultana) married Rowena Mary Dozier, daughter of James Dozier, wealthy owner of the steamboat Rowena built in 1858 and captained by Dozier’s son Frank. Mason worked as a clerk on the Rowena. October, 1861 - James Mason buys Frank Dozier’s interest in the Rowena and takes command as her captain. Mason had begun his river career working as a clerk on other steamboats and then as Capt/owner of several boats mainly running the Missouri River. Mason was known as a risk-taker, brash, often reckless. June, 1862 - Capt Mason takes the Rowena on first trip down the Mississippi; making several runs between St Louis and Memphis. Early February, 1863 - With Captain Mason in command, Rowena was detained by Union officials and inspected for illegal goods. Medicine and 2,000 pair of gray pants intended for rebel forces were discovered and confiscated. Mason and his officers were arrested and charged with aiding & abetting the Confederacy. A Union crew took Rowena down to Memphis, and once there she was seized by federal authorities and sent to Cairo for disposition. She was subsequently used in support of the Union army during the rest of February and most of March to run supplies and troops to General Grant in Memphis. March 20, 1863 - Steamboat Rowena’s final disposition was to be sold at auction in April. The seizure and total loss of the boat prompted James Dozier to cut off all contact with his daughter’s husband. Mason’s reputation as a reckless risk taker was now widely known. March 30, 1863 - Mason had been released from federal custody and, surprisingly, was back on the river as captain of the steamboat Belle Memphis. April 18, 1863 - Between Cairo and St Louis, Rowena hit a snag and sank, a total loss. July, 1863 - The wrecked Rowena was sold at auction for parts and scrap. Mid-1863 to mid-1864: Belle Memphis spends the next year making runs between St. Louis and New Orleans. Brash, reckless Capt Mason was not afraid to push his boat at top speed, run safety risks to gain advantage, or enter races as he did with City of Alton and Sultana in April, 1863.

		To include your stories and other information in this site, Email us at Webmaster.
Comments, suggestions, additional info are always welcomed., Please contact: Webmaster