I also found there was a 17 page book from the US Congress's Senate Committee on Claims for the Relief of Alexander Swift and Company and Niles Works.
Unfortunately, I could not look at it, but I imagine it had something to do with the legal problems involving his selling the monitors Oneota and Catawba to Spain.
After that, I wasn't able to find any other information, but he was a rich and powerful man. I'm sure there has to be some other information on him.
If Anybody Knows Anything? --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Alexander Swift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander Swift. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Alexander Swift: Builder of Monitors and Pick Pocket Victim
Alexander Swift's company built four monitors: Catawba, Yuma, Oneota, and Klamath.
He most likely acquired some money from his company, but I can't find out much about his life or where he is buried. He must have been a very important man in Cincinnati, but there is not much on the internet about him.
However, I did come across an article in the April 27, 1882 article in the New York Times where5e he had $125 stolen from him. He was in New York to catch the White Star steamer Celtic to Europe.
Before leaving, he walked down Broadway where a young woman started talking with him and threw her arms around him. He repulsed her advances and she walked away very quickly. He soon discovered that his wallet was gone.
He ran after her and caught her. While grabbing her, she pleaded to the people around them to help. A detective arrived on the scene and recognized her as a known pickpocket.
While questioning her, Mr. Swift's pocket book fell out. The money was gone, but Swift's checks and ship tickets were still there.
Poor Mr. Swift. --Old B-Runner
He most likely acquired some money from his company, but I can't find out much about his life or where he is buried. He must have been a very important man in Cincinnati, but there is not much on the internet about him.
However, I did come across an article in the April 27, 1882 article in the New York Times where5e he had $125 stolen from him. He was in New York to catch the White Star steamer Celtic to Europe.
Before leaving, he walked down Broadway where a young woman started talking with him and threw her arms around him. He repulsed her advances and she walked away very quickly. He soon discovered that his wallet was gone.
He ran after her and caught her. While grabbing her, she pleaded to the people around them to help. A detective arrived on the scene and recognized her as a known pickpocket.
While questioning her, Mr. Swift's pocket book fell out. The money was gone, but Swift's checks and ship tickets were still there.
Poor Mr. Swift. --Old B-Runner
Friday, September 4, 2009
USS Yuma and USS Klamath
From Wikipedia
USS YUMA
The USS Yuma was a single-turreted, twin screw monitor of the Casco Class built in Cincinnati by the Alexander Swift & Co., designed for service in shallow rivers, bays, and inlets of the Confederacy. To keep the draft low,armor was sacrificed, but a ballast system was on board to lower the ship in battle.
The Yuma was 225 feet long, had a 45 foot beam and mounted 2 X 11-inch smoothbore Dahlgrens.
Launched May 30, 1865, too late to see action. It was laid up 1866 to 1874 and at one point had name changed to Tempest then back to Yuma. It was sold at auction in New Orleans on September 12, 1874.
From DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
USS KLAMATH
225 feet long, 45 foot beam, crew of 69, 2 X 11-incj smoothbore Dahlgrens.
Launched in Cincinnati 20 April 1865 by S. T. Hambleton & Co., tinder subcontracted by Alexander Swift & Co. Delivered to US Navy 6 May 1866, but never commissioned.. renamed Harpy June 1869 and name changed back to Klamath in August.
Moved to New Orleans in in 1870 and sold at auction September 12, 1874 to Shickels, Harrison who also bought the USS Kickapoo double-turreted monitor the same day.
Somebody's Looking for Scrap!! --Old B-Runner
USS YUMA
The USS Yuma was a single-turreted, twin screw monitor of the Casco Class built in Cincinnati by the Alexander Swift & Co., designed for service in shallow rivers, bays, and inlets of the Confederacy. To keep the draft low,armor was sacrificed, but a ballast system was on board to lower the ship in battle.
The Yuma was 225 feet long, had a 45 foot beam and mounted 2 X 11-inch smoothbore Dahlgrens.
Launched May 30, 1865, too late to see action. It was laid up 1866 to 1874 and at one point had name changed to Tempest then back to Yuma. It was sold at auction in New Orleans on September 12, 1874.
From DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
USS KLAMATH
225 feet long, 45 foot beam, crew of 69, 2 X 11-incj smoothbore Dahlgrens.
Launched in Cincinnati 20 April 1865 by S. T. Hambleton & Co., tinder subcontracted by Alexander Swift & Co. Delivered to US Navy 6 May 1866, but never commissioned.. renamed Harpy June 1869 and name changed back to Klamath in August.
Moved to New Orleans in in 1870 and sold at auction September 12, 1874 to Shickels, Harrison who also bought the USS Kickapoo double-turreted monitor the same day.
Somebody's Looking for Scrap!! --Old B-Runner
Alexander Swift & Company Monitors Built in Cincinnati
From Shipbuilding History.
Alexander Swift's company built 4 monitors for the US Navy, none of which ever saw service: Catawba, Oneota, Klamath, and Yuma.
In 1871 they built the steamer John T. Moore and 1873, the steamer Alexander Swift (named for himself).
STEAMER JOHN T. MOORE
I found mention of it being used in the New Orleans to Jefferson trade. Not sure where Jefferson is. I also came across the name of John T. Moore as a riverboat captain who died in 1906. Perhaps this is who the boat is named for?
River Boat Dave's site has just about anything you'd need to know about river boats.
According to him, sometime between 1886 and 1892, the name was changed to the Endeavor.
The Moore was a sternwheel, iron-hulled packet, later converted to a side wheeler. Launched 1871 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hull was said to have cost $30,000 and the whole ship $80,000. It was built for the New Orleans-Red River trade.
There was no mention as to what became of the ship, but it was listed as operating as late as 1896.
My Kingdom for a Boat. --B-Runner
Alexander Swift's company built 4 monitors for the US Navy, none of which ever saw service: Catawba, Oneota, Klamath, and Yuma.
In 1871 they built the steamer John T. Moore and 1873, the steamer Alexander Swift (named for himself).
STEAMER JOHN T. MOORE
I found mention of it being used in the New Orleans to Jefferson trade. Not sure where Jefferson is. I also came across the name of John T. Moore as a riverboat captain who died in 1906. Perhaps this is who the boat is named for?
River Boat Dave's site has just about anything you'd need to know about river boats.
According to him, sometime between 1886 and 1892, the name was changed to the Endeavor.
The Moore was a sternwheel, iron-hulled packet, later converted to a side wheeler. Launched 1871 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hull was said to have cost $30,000 and the whole ship $80,000. It was built for the New Orleans-Red River trade.
There was no mention as to what became of the ship, but it was listed as operating as late as 1896.
My Kingdom for a Boat. --B-Runner
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