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Lighthouse Tender Photo Archive

Joseph Henry

Call sign (1895):
George - Vice - Mike - Sail
River Tender:

  • Built in 1880 by James Howard Shipyard and Dock Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana
  • Launched 2 June 1880
  • Sold at auction 5 January 1904 to Bluff City Excursion Co. of Bluff City, TN and renamed Louisiana
  • Registered in 1906 as the passenger vessel Louisiana out of Vicksburg, MS
  • Registered in 1907 as the passenger vessel Louisiana out of Cairo, IL
  • Registered in 1908 as the passenger vessel Louisiana out of Memphis, TN
  • Registered in 1909 as the passenger vessel Pattona out of Memphis
  • Registered in 1914 as the passenger vessel Pattona out of Memphis
  • Wrecked and sank in 1914 near Memphis.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 453 t.
    1895 - 340 t.
    1906 - 242 t.
  • Length 180'
  • Beam 32'
  • Draft 5' 10"
    1895 - 5.8'
    1906 - 5'
  • Complement 10 (1907)
    1908 - 21
    1914 - 25
  • Propulsion: Two boilers, two 104.5hp steam engines, one stern paddle wheel.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Joseph Henry
    Joseph Henry 65k
    Namesake:

    Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was a famous scientist, the first director of the Smithsonian Institution, and a member of the Lighthouse Board. He joined that august body in 1852. He became the chairman in 1871 and held that position, the only civilian to do so, until 1878. He was also known for laying the groundwork for the formation of the U.S. Weather Bureau

    		 Joe Radigan
    Joseph Henry 121k Memphis, TN
    Photo from University of Wisconsin-Madison Digital Library    		 John Spivey
    Louisiana
    Joseph Henry 111k St. Louis, MO Joe Radigan
    Pattona
    Joseph Henry 367k Memphis, TN Joe Radigan
    Coast Guard History: The Joseph Henry was built by Howard and Company of Jeffersonville, Indiana as a replacement for the tender Alice. She was a 453-ton, 180-foot side paddle wheeled steamer. Her hull was made of white oak. The steam launch Ivy was assigned to her for use in shallow water. The Joseph Henry had incandescent lighting installed throughout the ship in August, 1888, powered by a
    steam generator.

    She was first assigned to duty in the 15th Lighthouse District and was based out of Memphis. In January, 1881, she was assigned to the newly created 16th Lighthouse District. She was known during her Lighthouse Service career as the "Joe Henry."

    She was condemned in 1900 but still served for four more years when she was sold. Her replacement was the tender Oleander. The Joseph Henry eventually saw service as the passenger vessel Pattona, operating until 1916.

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