September 1, 1922, Appleton Post-Crescent
The Valley Queen was formerly known as the Leander Choate. One of the best known Oshkosh steamboat builders, George D. Ryan, began building his boats in 1884. The company, later succeeded by his son William, also built sailboats and continued in business until 1942. They are attributed to building the last steamboat in Oshkosh, the Leander Choate (the second vessel by that name). Captained by Mike Golden, it was built in 1908 for the Oshkosh Steamboat Company as an excursion boat, measuring 126' long and 30' wide. In 1922 the Choate was rebuilt as the Valley Queen and continued as an excursion boat until it was destroyed by fire on November 10, 1922, where it was tied up for the winter on the north side of the Fox River next to Deltox Grass Rug Company at the end of Osceola Street in Oshkosh.
--info courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum
Postcard with a 1909 postmark
November 10, 1922, Appleton Post-Crescent
Last night a friend of mine mentioned that he is in possession of the steam whistle from the Leander Choate. It is still in working order.
ReplyDeleteDave, I would be interested in knowing more information on the steam whistle.
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