Okeehumkee

The Okeehumkee, also known as "Queen of the Ocklawaha River," was a river steamboat that provided transportation along Florida rivers in the late 19th century. The Okeehumkee was equipped with a paddle wheel positioned in the lower stern part of the boat which allowed it to traverse narrow and shallow rivers.[3] The steamboat was the longest-serving craft of its type on the Ocklawaha River route, remaining in service for 43 years.[4][5]

Okeehumkee
NameOkeehumkee
OwnerHubbard L. Hart
OperatorHubbard L. Hart
RouteOcklawaha River
BuilderHubbard L. Hart
Completed1873
Out of service1919
Identification19409[1]
FateDrydock
TypePaddle wheel steamboat
Tonnage65[2]
Length84.4 feet (25.7 m)[1]
Beam21.4 feet (6.5 m)[1]
Draught3 feet (0.91 m)
Depth8.3 feet (2.5 m)[1]
Decks3
Installed powerSteam
PropulsionPaddle wheel
Hart's Daily Line Schedule Card dated February 14, 1890.

Description

The Okeehumkee measured 84.4 feet (25.7 m) long by 21.4 feet (6.5 m) wide,[1][6][7] and consisted of a flat-bottom hull, a lower cargo deck and two upper passenger decks. A recessed stern paddle wheel provided propulsion, powered by a wood-burning steam boiler engine. The boat was outfitted with shutters on the windows to keep tree branches out and a livestock pen at the rear of the boat, on the upper deck.[5] The Okeehumkee was alternately called Okeehumkee II, Okahumka, Okahumpka, and Okeehumpkee.[1][8][9][10]

History

The Okeehumkee was built in 1873 by Hubbard Hart, founder of the Ocklawaha Navigation Company's Hart's Line, at his East Palatka Hart's Point shipyard. It was named after a Native American chief from the area of the Ocklawaha lakes.[11] The boat was outfitted with shutters on the windows to keep tree branches out and a livestock pen at the rear of the boat, on the upper deck.[5] The boat was altered several times throughout its service lifetime, including moving the pilot house to the top deck.[11] In 1893, a second deck of cabins was added.[12] The Okeehumkee was alternately called Okeehumkee II, Okahumka, Okahumpka, and Okeehumkee.[8][9]

In 1886, the boat was altered to expand the upper cabin deck in both length and width. Over the next several years, other minor alterations were made. In 1893, another cabin deck was added.[10]

The Okeehumkee was still in service as of 1910.[1] The steamboat era declined in the early 20th century, replaced by railroad travel. In 1919, Hart's Line ceased operation and the Okeehumkee was moored at Hart's Point shipyard in East Palatka along with another steamboat, the Hiawatha. By the late 1930s, the Okeehumkee had been dismantled.[9][13]

Further reading
  • Mueller, Edward, Ocklawaha River Steamboats, 1983
  • Mueller, Edward, Along the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers, 1999
  • Gallant, Gene, Glimpses into Marion County's Past: The Colorful Era of Riverboating on the Ocklawaha River, 1992

References
  1. Mueller, Edward A. (1983). Ocklawaha River Steamboats. DeLeon Springs, FL: Mendelson Printing Company.
  2. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General, US Steamboat Inspection Service. United States Steamboat Inspection Service. 1899. p. 216. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  3. "River Steamboat "Okeehumkee" by Landing". World Digital Library. October 17, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  4. Still, Christopher. "The Okeehumkee on the Oklawaha River" (PDF). Florida State Legislature. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  5. Mikell, Ann (August 17, 1991). "Steamboat Era Sails Into Eustis in Library Exhibit". Orlando, FL. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  6. Annual Report of the Secretary of War, Volume 2. Washington, D.C.: United States War Department. 1889. p. 1362.
  7. Congressional serial set. United States Government Printing Office. 1917. p. 33. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  8. Norman, Rob (2010). Ocala National Forest. Arcadia Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-0738586106.
  9. Mueller, Edward A. (1999). Along The St. Johns And Ocklawaha Rivers. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 100–108, 126. ISBN 978-0738501765.
  10. Bass, Bob (2008). When Steamboats Reigned in Florida. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida. pp. 90–91, 101. ISBN 9780813032351.
  11. Ritchie, Lauren (November 30, 2005). "Historic lake oasis: A jewel to treasure - A proposed development threatens wildlife and heritage, advocates say". Orlando, FL. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  12. Shaum, Jack (2008). Steamboat Bill Journal of the Steamship Historical Society of America: 9. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Cook, David (June 28, 1992). "Riverboats strong current in local history - New book reveals glory of steamships". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
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