SULTANA & Capt Mason, Pt1

1864-1865: SULTANA & CAPT MASON, Part 1

March 1, 1864 - Capt Lodwick sells his steamboat to a group of investors, including Capt James Cass Mason, who had bought a three-eights interest and was given command of Sultana.

April, 1864 - US government changes rates for freight and passengers. St Louis to New Orleans for officers, horses, and cattle were now $10.25 per head. Enlisted men were $4.25 per head. Freight was set at a flat rate of 50¢ per hundred pounds.

April, May, & mid June, 1864 - Mason is called to Washington DC to account for his actions per the Rowena. Capt William Thompson commands Sultana during Mason's absence.

June 10, 1864 - Sultana is released from government work and struggles to compete for private business.

July, 1864 - Capt Mason returns from Washington and sets out for New Orleans and returns by July 16 with some passengers, but no freight.

July 29, 1864 - Headed downriver near Cairo, Mason came upon the steamboat Henry Ames sinking fast from hitting a snag. Sultana and two other steamboats took all of Henry Ames's freight and passengers, but could not stop her sinking. Continuing on her way Sultana struck a rock which punched a hole in her lower bow. In a typically risky move and hungry for profit, Mason ordered emergency repairs and full steam ahead arriving at his destination within six hours.

August 18, 1864 - Mason docks Sultana just below St Louis for damage repairs and refit.

September 3, 1864 - Sultana returns to service.

October 4, 1864 - A month after returning to service headed upriver with a disappointingly small load, Sultana came upon another steamboat that had struck a snag in low water. Taking her in tow, Capt Mason towed the other boat to dock, and on the way back out somehow managed to run Sultana into the same snag, this time suffering significant damage. For the second time Mason had to go to dock for expensive repairs at a time when the steamboat business had fallen on tough times.

October 23, 1864 - Repairs made, Mason set off for New Orleans with a good load of livestock, freight, and passengers. But once again Sultana ran into low water troubles. Running aground and unable to move, the crew moved the livestock to the shore, but the boat was still too heavy. It wasn't until November 1 that Sultana was finally able to move and continue downriver.

November 13, 1864 - Mason’s partners enroll Sultana with a shipping management company for service between St Louis and New Orleans. The company held a contract for US government loads. No longer would Sultana need to compete for private business.

December 4, 1864 - Mason’s last trip of the season to New Orleans. On the way back north Sultana runs into heavy ice in the river. Capt Mason ignores prudence and orders his pilots to plow through the ice to reach St Louis. Sultana suffers significant damage to her paddle wheels, once again requiring expensive repairs under hard financial times.

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	1864-1865: SULTANA & CAPT MASON, Part 1
	March 1, 1864 - Capt Lodwick sells his steamboat to a group of investors, including Capt James Cass Mason, who had bought a three-eights interest and was given command of Sultana. April, 1864 - US government changes rates for freight and passengers. St Louis to New Orleans for officers, horses, and cattle were now $10.25 per head. Enlisted men were $4.25 per head. Freight was set at a flat rate of 50¢ per hundred pounds. April, May, & mid June, 1864 - Mason is called to Washington DC to account for his actions per the Rowena. Capt William Thompson commands Sultana during Mason's absence. June 10, 1864 - Sultana is released from government work and struggles to compete for private business. July, 1864 - Capt Mason returns from Washington and sets out for New Orleans and returns by July 16 with some passengers, but no freight. July 29, 1864 - Headed downriver near Cairo, Mason came upon the steamboat Henry Ames sinking fast from hitting a snag. Sultana and two other steamboats took all of Henry Ames's freight and passengers, but could not stop her sinking. Continuing on her way Sultana struck a rock which punched a hole in her lower bow. In a typically risky move and hungry for profit, Mason ordered emergency repairs and full steam ahead arriving at his destination within six hours. August 18, 1864 - Mason docks Sultana just below St Louis for damage repairs and refit. September 3, 1864 - Sultana returns to service. October 4, 1864 - A month after returning to service headed upriver with a disappointingly small load, Sultana came upon another steamboat that had struck a snag in low water. Taking her in tow, Capt Mason towed the other boat to dock, and on the way back out somehow managed to run Sultana into the same snag, this time suffering significant damage. For the second time Mason had to go to dock for expensive repairs at a time when the steamboat business had fallen on tough times. October 23, 1864 - Repairs made, Mason set off for New Orleans with a good load of livestock, freight, and passengers. But once again Sultana ran into low water troubles. Running aground and unable to move, the crew moved the livestock to the shore, but the boat was still too heavy. It wasn't until November 1 that Sultana was finally able to move and continue downriver. November 13, 1864 - Mason’s partners enroll Sultana with a shipping management company for service between St Louis and New Orleans. The company held a contract for US government loads. No longer would Sultana need to compete for private business. December 4, 1864 - Mason’s last trip of the season to New Orleans. On the way back north Sultana runs into heavy ice in the river. Capt Mason ignores prudence and orders his pilots to plow through the ice to reach St Louis. Sultana suffers significant damage to her paddle wheels, once again requiring expensive repairs under hard financial times.

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