French Quarter in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Natchez Steamboats

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2018

1. Natchez Steamboats Marker

Inscription.
There have been nine steamboats named Natchez. Natchez VIII operated from 1891 to 1919. This was the last Natchez built before the current Natchez IX was launched in 1975. Number VIII was operated by a female captain, Blanche Leathers.

Erected by The New Orleans Historic Collection, Captain Clarke "Doc" Hawley and the Steamboat Natchez.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 29° 57.301′ N, 90° 3.752′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the French Quarter. Marker can be reached from Toulouse Street east of Decatur Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the Mississippi Riverwalk, on the Mississippi River Pier at Woldenberg Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sugar Wharves at the Port (here, next to this marker); Riverboat Cotton Bales (a few steps from this marker); Picayune Pier (within shouting distance of this marker); Work Begins on New Orleans, Spring 1718 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Transatlantic Slave Trade to Louisiana

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(about 500 feet away); Execution of Jean Baptiste Baudrau II (about 600 feet away); Importer's Bonded Warehouses - Henry Howard, Architect (about 600 feet away); The Steamer New Orleans (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Also see . . .
1. Natchez Steamboat History. New Orleans Steamboat Company website entry:
She's the ninth steamer to bear the name Natchez. It was her predecessor, Natchez VI, that raced the Robert E. Lee in the most famous steamboat race of all time. Even today, the Natchez is proudly the undisputed champion of the Mississippi, never having been beaten in a race. It's a line that follows the course of river history, from the placid antebellum plantation era through the turbulence of the Civil War to the Gay Nineties, and, ultimately, the new millennium. (Submitted on April 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Natchez Steamboats. Wikipedia entry:
The captain of the second-eighth Natchez, Thomas P. Leathers, sometimes nicknamed "Old Push", was described as savage, reckless, and colorful. He loved to prove his boats were the fastest. He would sometimes throw fatty bacon and hog fat into the engine to dramatically increase the speed

Marker detail: Steamboat <i>Natchez VIII</i>;<br>between 1891 & 1919 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Steamboat Natchez VIII;
between 1891 & 1919

(from the Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA; The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1974.25.32.204)

of his boats. He would sometimes cause other boats to slow down by quickly racing in front of them. In 1896, Blanche Leathers was commanding Natchez VIII and it became her own. (Submitted on April 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2018

3. Natchez Steamboats Marker

(looking south along the Mississippi Riverwalk)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.