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Photo size: 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches
Matchbook size: 4.5 inches x 3 inches
This photo depicts the sinking of the originalBecky Thatcher steamboat in 1965. At the time of writing this, it is the only photo of it that I'm aware of that exists. There are lots of photos of the sinking of the secondBecky Thatcher boat in 1984 and 2010 (with repairs done in-between), but that is a different boat than the original Becky Thatcher.
The original Becky Thatcher steamboat and paddleboat (pictured in the photo and matchbook in this listing) started out as the U.S. snagboat C.B. Reese, which was built in 1879, later rebuilt at Slidell, Louisiana in 1943, just before the end of World War II, to become the towboat Steel City. Renamed Wood River, she was decommissioned in 1947 to become the original Becky Thatcher, which was named after a popular character in Mark Twain's book Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. This boat was intended as an entertainment venue for booked guests.
This Becky Thatcher sank in the Mississippi River (pictured) in St. Louis, Missouri during a flood and was then scrapped, and the owners turned the steel hull into the landing barge for the secondBecky Thatcher boat, which they decided to name after the firstboat, since it was a popular name.
The secondBecky Thatcher sternwheel boat was originally named the Mississippi III and was built in 1926, owned by St. Louis Investment Company (1965) and then later Ohio Showboat Drama Inc. (1975).
The included matchbook is a promotion and advertising piece handed out to showcase the original Becky Thatcher steamboat in an effort to generate more bookings for it. It was likely made in the 1950s. It has a striking old-timey look to it that goes along fantastically with the photo, as it shows how the original Becky Thatcher looked before it sank.
These two pieces would look great framed and enjoyed or given to a historical steamboat enthusiast. Purchase this duo today and hold history in your hands.
Please inspect the pictures, as they give the best representation of condition. May have discoloring, edge or corner wear, marks, creases, fading, smudges, corner or edge bends, tears, or corners missing.
(C31 inventory number)
