Alligator (steamboat)
Encyclopedia
The Alligator was an inboard paddle-wheel steamboat
that operated in the interior of north central Florida
in the United States
from 1888 to 1909. Famed archeologist Clarence Bloomfield Moore
leased the steamer each year from 1891 to 1895 for his annual excursions to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for Native American artifacts
. On November 5, 1909 the paddlesteamer caught fire and sank ending her twenty-one years of service in the passenger and freight business. In December 2008, the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program led a search of the east side of Lake Crescent
for the sunken wreckage of the Alligator.
and St. Johns
rivers. On October 7, 1888, Alligator was launched on the west bank of St. Johns River at Norwalk. She measured 57 feet (17.4 m) long, 18 feet 7 inches wide, 3 feet 5 inches deep, and was 27.71 gross tons. Originally, a propeller was installed between two skeg
s under the transom
. The vessel was "a patchwork of parts from other steamboats".
During the boat's twenty-one years of service, the paddlesteamer was rebuilt by several new owners. A Certificate of Enrollment issued on January 21, 1890 when ownership of the steamboat was transferred to brothers Charles B. and Benjamen Wade shows a rebuild in 1889. The paddlesteamer was now 71 feet (21.6 m) long, 18 feet 7 inches wide, and 3 feet 5 inches deep. She weighed 66.21 gross tons and was modified to have a recessed stern wheel instead of a propeller. According to a January 13, 1894 Certificate of Enrollment, the steamboat was enlarged to 81 feet 4 inches length with a gross weight of 69.60 tons with "an enlarged cabin deck running the full length of the boat above the boiler deck" and a larger captain's cabin. The Alligator's final rebuild occurred in 1906. The new reconfiguration made the boat more suitable for local freight and passenger trips rather than more lengthy transport. The cabins deck was removed and replaced with an open deck running half the length of the boat; with the pilot house and captain's cabin placed on that same level.
During the final decades of the 19th century and early in the 20th century, small paddlesteamers transported freight and tourists back and forth between the upper areas of Florida to the headwaters of lakes in north central Florida.
In 1888, Captain Howard added the Alligator to his small fleet of vessels that ran on the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers providing passenger and freight service.
The Wade brothers bought Alligator on September 9, 1889 and a year later they sold her to Joseph Edward Lucas who owned the steamboat during most of the time of her operation. When Lucas purchased the steamer he ran a small passenger and freight business out of Palatka, Florida
.
In April 1891, Clarence Bloomfield Moore contracted with Lucas to use the steamer to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for his archeological exploration for Native American artifacts. Moore used the paddlesteamer as his base of operation for his annual field work each year between 1891 and 1895. Moore kept a detailed log of his research that notes the travel of the Alligator during his excursions. In 1895, the Jacksonville Florida Times Union noted Moore's final excursion on the Alligator reporting that Moore accompanied by a crew from the Academy of Natural Sciences
were exploring Indian mounds along the Ocklawaha.
In 1894 Lucas expanded his holdings of steamboats to compete with the Hart Line. The Alligator in her expanded form gave the company several steamers well-equipped to transport citrus fruit freight and passengers for winter tourist travel on the Silver Springs
run. Cold temperatures caused hard economic conditions for both companies. The companies had losses in citrus freight transport and the tourism business. In December 1895, the Palatka Times Herald reported the Hart Line reached an agreement to consolidate with Lucas Line. The arrangement was not a merger of the two companies but an agreement to consolidate the businesses to "maximize the profit of both companies". Both companies survived and went on to compete for almost another decade.
The Lucas Line's main source of income, the Metamora steamboat sank in 1903 causing the company severe financial problems. Alligator was sold on December 7, 1903, to Charles Leonard after the court foreclosure on the boats and other assets. Immediately, Leonard sold the vessel to Captain Peter Cone of Palatka. Cone put the paddlesteamer out of service until November 1905, when he sold the Alligator to Lawrence Dozier and Allen Gibson doing business as "Dozier and Gibson of Eustis". The steamboat operated on the Ocklawaha River and headwaters lakes Lake Eustis
at Eustis, and lakes Harris
and Griffin at Lessburg
. On March 13, 1906, while on a run between Leesburg and Silver Springs, the Alligator struck a snag and sank. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew. The vessel was rebuilt with a configuration suitable for local runs and back in operation again with a single owner, Dozier.
T. Hurd Kooker acquired the Alligator from John F. Horr U.S. Marshall in a sale recorded on April 24, 1909, indicating a forced sale by the court. Kooker operated the paddlesteamer on local lakes until the fire permanently took her out of operation.
, searched the east side of Lake Crescent for the sunken wreckage of the Alligator.
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
that operated in the interior of north central Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1888 to 1909. Famed archeologist Clarence Bloomfield Moore
Clarence Bloomfield Moore
Clarence Bloomfield Moore was an American archaeologist and writer...
leased the steamer each year from 1891 to 1895 for his annual excursions to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for Native American artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
. On November 5, 1909 the paddlesteamer caught fire and sank ending her twenty-one years of service in the passenger and freight business. In December 2008, the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program led a search of the east side of Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent (Florida)
Lake Crescent is a freshwater lake located in Putman and Flagler counties in North Central Florida. The lake is approximately in length and wide. At the north end it connects to St. Johns River by way of Dunn's Creek....
for the sunken wreckage of the Alligator.
Design and construction
The Ocklawaha River was a primary route of transportation in north central Florida during the years after the United States Civil War until railroads reached the area. Relatively unique small steamboats evolved to service the narrow, winding river. The boats were fitted with an inboard stern paddle-wheel to aid in navigating the narrow, thickly treed, and weedy waterways.Initial design and construction
The Alligator was constructed for Captain C. W. Howard for use in a commercial passenger and freight operation on the OcklawahaOcklawaha River
The Ocklawaha River flows north from central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka. Its name is a corruption of ak-lowahe, Creek for "muddy"....
and St. Johns
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
rivers. On October 7, 1888, Alligator was launched on the west bank of St. Johns River at Norwalk. She measured 57 feet (17.4 m) long, 18 feet 7 inches wide, 3 feet 5 inches deep, and was 27.71 gross tons. Originally, a propeller was installed between two skeg
Skeg
A skeg is a sternward extension of the keel of boats and ships which have a rudder mounted on the centre line. The term also applies to the lowest point on an outboard motor or the outdrive of an inboard/outboard...
s under the transom
Transom (nautical)
In naval architecture, a transom is the surface that forms the stern of a vessel. Transoms may be flat or curved and they may be vertical, raked forward, also known as a retroussé or reverse transom, angling forward from the waterline to the deck, or raked aft, often simply called "raked", angling...
. The vessel was "a patchwork of parts from other steamboats".
Rebuilds
Operation
In 1888, Captain Howard added the Alligator to his small fleet of vessels that ran on the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers providing passenger and freight service.
The Wade brothers bought Alligator on September 9, 1889 and a year later they sold her to Joseph Edward Lucas who owned the steamboat during most of the time of her operation. When Lucas purchased the steamer he ran a small passenger and freight business out of Palatka, Florida
Palatka, Florida
Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...
.
In April 1891, Clarence Bloomfield Moore contracted with Lucas to use the steamer to explore the St. Johns River and tributaries for his archeological exploration for Native American artifacts. Moore used the paddlesteamer as his base of operation for his annual field work each year between 1891 and 1895. Moore kept a detailed log of his research that notes the travel of the Alligator during his excursions. In 1895, the Jacksonville Florida Times Union noted Moore's final excursion on the Alligator reporting that Moore accompanied by a crew from the Academy of Natural Sciences
Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, formerly Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the New World...
were exploring Indian mounds along the Ocklawaha.
In 1894 Lucas expanded his holdings of steamboats to compete with the Hart Line. The Alligator in her expanded form gave the company several steamers well-equipped to transport citrus fruit freight and passengers for winter tourist travel on the Silver Springs
Silver Springs, Florida
Silver Springs is a U.S. populated place and spring in Marion County, Florida, just to the east of the city of Ocala. It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area....
run. Cold temperatures caused hard economic conditions for both companies. The companies had losses in citrus freight transport and the tourism business. In December 1895, the Palatka Times Herald reported the Hart Line reached an agreement to consolidate with Lucas Line. The arrangement was not a merger of the two companies but an agreement to consolidate the businesses to "maximize the profit of both companies". Both companies survived and went on to compete for almost another decade.
The Lucas Line's main source of income, the Metamora steamboat sank in 1903 causing the company severe financial problems. Alligator was sold on December 7, 1903, to Charles Leonard after the court foreclosure on the boats and other assets. Immediately, Leonard sold the vessel to Captain Peter Cone of Palatka. Cone put the paddlesteamer out of service until November 1905, when he sold the Alligator to Lawrence Dozier and Allen Gibson doing business as "Dozier and Gibson of Eustis". The steamboat operated on the Ocklawaha River and headwaters lakes Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis is located in Central Florida, west of the city of Eustis. It covers approximately 7,000 acres . It is spring feed and is a member of the Harris Chain of Lakes, and is connected to Lake Harris by means of the Dead River. It is also connected to the St. Johns River via Haines Creek to...
at Eustis, and lakes Harris
Lake Harris (Florida)
Lake Harris is a lake in Lake County, Florida, United States, northwest of Orlando. It is part of the "Upper Ocklawaha River Basin" a sub-basin of the St. Johns River. It is known by locals as the "Harris Chain of Lakes" or "Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes"....
and Griffin at Lessburg
Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....
. On March 13, 1906, while on a run between Leesburg and Silver Springs, the Alligator struck a snag and sank. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew. The vessel was rebuilt with a configuration suitable for local runs and back in operation again with a single owner, Dozier.
T. Hurd Kooker acquired the Alligator from John F. Horr U.S. Marshall in a sale recorded on April 24, 1909, indicating a forced sale by the court. Kooker operated the paddlesteamer on local lakes until the fire permanently took her out of operation.
Sinking
Around midnight on November 5, 1909, the steamer caught fire, burned, and sank. A wreck report written on November 20, 1909, indicates that fire occurred with only two watchmen aboard and there were no human injuries. The written record is inexact about the location where the steamer is submerged due to poor handwriting. There is no indication from searches of written records such as Certificate of Enrollment that the wreck was recovered and put back into service again.Search for wreckage
On December 9, 2008, a group of volunteers led by scientists from the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program in St. Augustine, FloridaSt. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, searched the east side of Lake Crescent for the sunken wreckage of the Alligator.