Thomas E. Tappan, Jr., Steamboat Collection

Collection

Identifier: MC 416

Staff Only
Select files to request

Scope and Content Note

Photographs, scrapbooks, and other material pertaining to steamboats on the Mississippi River, 1811-1930, particularly in the Helena and Memphis areas. The collection was assembled by the donor starting in 1966 by copying or collecting materials from publications and private collections.

The collection consists of some 140 individual prints, nearly 400 negatives (mostly 35 mm), and 12 scrapbooks containing clippings, notes, correspondence, and some 350 additional photographs. The photographs are mainly copies of older photographs, or copies from publications.

Dates

1811-1930

Creator

Tappan, Thomas E., Jr. (Thomas Edmund) (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Thomas E. Tappan was a native of eastern Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas in the late 1920s and early 1930s, though he never graduated because of financial pressures due to the Depression. He joined the CCC, was called into active duty in the Army in 1940, and retired from the Army after more than twenty years of service. He was an automobile dealer, accountant, and office manager, retiring from business in 1976. He has been active in the Phillips County Historical Society and contributed frequently to historical publications. In 1972 he began giving lectures on steamboat history at the National River Academy at Helena.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (3 Boxes)

Additional Description

Arrangement of the Papers

Contents of Collection

Series 1. Scrapbooks. Boxes 2-3.
Series 2. Photographs. Box 1.
Series 2. Subseries 1. Individual prints numbered with Tappan's "S-" prefix.
Series 2. Subseries 2. Originally unnumbered (or number not identified) individual prints. These were given a "U-" prefix and numbered during processing.
Series 3. Other information. Box 1.
Series 4. Negatives. (In Special Collections negative storage.)

Acquisition Information

The Thomas E. Tappan, Jr. Steamboat Collection was donated to Special Collections or loaned for copying by Thomas E. Tappan, Jr., Memphis, Tennessee, October, 1981.

Processing Information

Processed by Nan Lawler, August 1988. Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Subject Index: A-G

If the name of a city and a boat is the same, the name of the boat is listed first. Boats are listed in alphabetical order according to the full name in its accepted order (Kate Adams will be under "K" rather than "A"). Prefixes (C.S.S., for example) are ignored in the alphabetization.
The index contains a listing of Tappan's numbered photographs, both individual and in volumes (those in volumes are listed in parentheses immediately following the volume they are in), as well as general listings (by volume number only) for information on steamboats, places, people, and events that might otherwise be difficult to find.
"S-" numbers enclosed in square brackets will be found as photocopies in Volume 7; this indicates that the photocopy is the only available positive print (images found as photocopies as well as prints are listed only as prints unless the images are different).
In some cases, transcribed captions from original photographs provide additional information. "Cap 1" indicates there is more information on Transcription List 1, "5 x 7 Prints from 'Steamboat Scrapbook #8,' T. E. Tappan Collection." "Cap 2" indicates that there is more information on Transcription List 2, "8 x 10 Prints from T. E. Tappan Collection." Both transcription lists are in Series 3.
"Info" indicates that there is a typed caption in "Additional information," Series 3. Note that there may be further information for any image in the "List of photographs," also in Series 3.
Volumes 2, 3, 4, and 7 are not included in the index, because names of steamboats are already in alphabetical order within the volumes. It should be noted that volumes 2, 3, and 4 frequently include information about people, general subjects, and navigation on rivers other than the Mississippi. In general, this information will be found under the name of the particular steamboat.

#2 U.S.S. Gunboat (Marmora): [S-133]
#2 U.S. Snagboat: S-567
#9 tinclad (Signal): S-166, cap 1
#23 tinclad (Covington?): S-173, cap 1
#54 tinclad (Nymph): S-144
A. C. Jaynes: S-1, S-2, S-3, [S-180], S-455, S-456, S-457, S-458, vol. 5, vol. 6, cap 1, cap 2
Admiral Joe Fowler (Disney World, Florida): vol. 6 (S-775, S-776, S-777)
Albatross: vol. 5, vol. 12
Altona: S-5, cap 1
Andes: S-534
Argand: S-509
C.S.S. Arkansas: [S-6]
U.S. Arkansas Belle: [S-7], vol. 8
Arkansas City: S-8, S-181, S-281, S-274, S-578, S-579
Arkansas River: S-82, vol. 1
Augusta: [S-120], vol. 5, info
Austin, Mississippi. Old Court House: S-10
Autocrat: S-9
Automobiles: [S-115], S-462, S-485, vol. 6 (S-192, S-485, S-714)
Avalon: (see Belle of Louisville)
B. F. Yoakum: vol. 5
Battery "D": [S-74], S-201, cap 2
Beaver (first steamship to cross Atlantic): S-748
Beil, F. R., Sand and Gravel Co.: S-269, vol. 5 (S-269)
Belfast: S-584
Belle Memphis: S-576
Belle of Chester: S-250, vol. 5
Belle of Louisville: [S-12], S-13, S- 28, S-186, [S-187], S-193(1), S-193(2), S-193(3), vol. 10 (S-364), cap 2
Belle of the Bends: S-11, cap 1
Betsy Ann: [S-494], [S-505]
U.S.S. Blackhawk: [S-14], [S-15], vol. 6
Border Star: [S-506], vol. 6 (S-752), vol. 10 (S-316, S-317, S-349, S-350, S-358, S-361, S-375, S-376)
Bradford, Sue: [S-188], vol. 1, vol. 6 (S-789, S-792)
Bradford steamboat paintings: vol. 6 (S-790, S-791, S-792)
Brothers, Bill, boat: S-184
Buckeye State: [S-16], S-17
Burnet, Captain: S-153
C. M. Johnston: S-270, vol. 5 (S-89, S-270)
U.S.S. Cairo: [S-20], S-20A
U.S.S. Cairo, raising at Vicksburg, 1956, and artifacts from wreck: [S-206] - [S-230]
Cairo, Mississippi: S-134
Carolyn: S-251, vol. 5
Carter, Jimmy: vol. 10
Cary-Bird: S-532
Chas. Organ: vol. 5
Chickamauga: S-21, S-581
Child: S-522
Chris Greene (Little): S-524
Chris Greene II: S-526
U.S.S. Cincinnati: S-21A, [S-21B], cap 2
City of Baton Rouge: S-233
City of Helena: S-22, [S-23], S-24, S-25, S-26, S-252, S-270, vol. 5 (S-270)
City of New Orleans: S-235, S-275, S-280
City of St. Joe: S-27
Civil War: [S-69], [S-70], [S-71], [S-72], [S-74], S-198, S-200, S-201, S-202, S-203, S-204, S-205, S-291, U-11, vol. 1, cap 2
Clarendon: S-484, S-485, vol. 6 (S-484, S-485, S-701), cap 1
CO: vol. 1
Coast Guard boats: vol. 6 (S-715)
Col. A. MacKenzie: (see Ursie Boyce)
Continental: [S-28], vol. 1
Coolidge, H. P., Grocery Store, Helena: S-199, cap 2
Cotton: S-29, [S-78], [S-124], [S-125], S-128, S-279, vol. 6 (S-399, S-717, S-718), cap 2
Courier: S-519
Covington? (tinclad #23): S-173, cap 1
U.S.S. Cricket: [S-30], S-511
Critchell, Ensign R. S.: [S-31]; [S-32]
Curly: S-33, vol. 6 (S-767, S-769, S- 772), cap 1
Davenport: [S-120], info
De Koven: S-34, [S-35], [S-109], info
Delta Queen: S-36, [S-37], [S-38], [S-39], S-238, [S-491], vol. 1, vol. 5, vol. 10 (S-317, S-318, S-319, S-321 - S-338, S-340 - S-348, S-350 - S-357, S-362 - S-373, S-377, S-378, S-379, S-380), cap 2
U.S. Mail Des Arc: S-40, cap 1
DeSoto: vol. 6
Dewey (Kate Adams #2): S-41, S-41A, cap 1
"Doctor" pump: [S-4], S-60, S-182, S- 725, U-5, U-6, vol. 1, vol. 6 (S-4, S-725, S-726, S-730, S-731, S-737, S-741, S-742)
E. B. Alexander: S-240, cap 1
Earthquake, New Madrid: vol. 11
Monitor Eastport: S-203, cap 2
Ed Meyer: [S-109], vol. 5, info
Electric lights on steamboats: vol. 1
Emma Graham: [S-493]
Engine room: S-266, S-297
U.S. Engineer: S-464
Evergreene: S-514, S-528
Far West: vol. 6
Ferries: vol. 5, vol. 12
First Presbyterian Church, Helena: vol. 1
Ford, Gerald R.: vol. 5
General Brown: vol. 1
General Wood: [S-486]
Geo. M. Verity: S-253
George H. Walker: vol. 5
George Washington: S-313
Georgia Lee: vol. 6
Gopher: S-507, cap 1
Gordon C. Greene: S-43, S-531, vol. 6 (S-755, S-757)
Gov. McClurg: vol. 5, vol. 6 (S-392)
Grace Veley: vol. 5
Grand Republic (see also Helena): [S- 42], [S-497], S-569, S-570
Greendale: S-512
Greenland: S-516
Greenwood: S-510
Gunboat, unidentified: U-11

Subject Index: H-Z

H. K. Bedford: S-508
H. R. W. Hill: S-583
Hard Cash: S-44
Hardwood: S-45, U-7, vol. 5
Harry Lee: S-27
Helena: [S-42], [S-51], [S-52], [S-53], [S-54], [S-57], vol. 1
U.S. Eng. Boat Helena: S-55
Helena, Arkansas: [S-68], S-69, [S-75], [S-76], [S-77], S-199, vol. 1, vol. 6 (S-48, S-49, S-151, S-192, S-702, S-703, S-704, S-705, S-706), vol. 9, cap 2, info
Helena. Boat Club: S-60, vol. 6 (S-740, S-744, S-745, S-749, S-750)
Helena. Bridge: [S-50]
Helena. Civil War: [S-69], [S-70], [S-71], [S-72], [S-73], [S-74], [S-75], [S-190], S-198, S-200, S-201, S-202, S-203, S-204, S-205, cap 2
Helena. Ehrman's Landing: [S-58]
Helena. Floods: [S-48], [S-59], [S-69], S-190, S-191, S-192, [S-197], S-200, S-202, S-204, S-462 - S-468, S-470, S-471, vol. 6 (S-46, S-47, S-195, S-196, S-197, S-396, S-695, S-696, S-697, S-699, S-700, S-716, S-719, S-720, S-721, S-722, S-723, S-724), vol. 12, cap 2, info
Helena. Floods, Refugee Camp Barton: vol. 6 (S-712, S-713, S-714)
Helena. Ice Gorge: 1940 S-33, S-61, [S-62], S-63, S-64, S-65, S-66, S-479, S-481, S-482, S-483, vol. 6 (S-758, S-760 - S-774), vol. 12
Helena. Harbor: [S-109], vol. 6 (S-759), info
Helena. Hiwater: S-105, S-106
Helena. Levee: S-190
Helena. Old town: S-195, vol. 6 (S-196)
Helena. Riverfront: [S-67], [S-68], [S-120], vol. 6 (S-395, S-399, S-727, S-728, S-729, S-732, S-733, S-734, S-735, [S-736], S-739, S-743, S-747, S-748, info
Helena. Riverfront Park: [S-249], vol. 6
Helena. Tappan home, 1863: [S-72], [S-73], S-205, cap 2
Helena. Terminal: S-65, S-66, S-471, vol. 6 (S-46, S-398, S-697, S-768)
Helena. U.S. Custom House: S-198, cap 2
Henry Frank: [S-78]
Henry M. Stanley: S-518
Henry Marquand: S-79, S-145, cap 1
Hodge, Capt. W. J.: [S-100] (2 copies)
Homer Smith: [S-487]
Hoover, Herbert: S-463
Hunting, St. Francis River: S-18, [S- 19]
Idlewild (see also Belle of Louisville): S-193(1), S-193(2), S-193(3), vol. 12, cap 2
U.S. Eng. Inspector: S-464
Interiors, steamboat: [S-39], [S-94], [S-108], S-233, S-266, S-281, S-297, S-569, S-576, S-578, vol. 10 (S-330, S-361, S-368, S-372, S-373)
Island Queen: S-80
J. A. Cotton: S-271;S-272
J. M. White: [S-503], S-572, S-575; S-573, S-574
J. N. H[a]rbin: S-82
James Lee: [S-83], S-83A, S-615
Jefferson School Bell: S-272
Jenny May: S-84, cap 2
Joe Fowler: vol. 6
John Bertram No. 1: S-85, cap 1
John Bertram No. 2: S-85, cap 2
John F. Lincoln: S-86
John W. Hubbard: S-529
Johnson, A. C., Sr.: [S-265], vol. 5
Johnson, Captain Fontain M.: [S-88], vol. 5
Johnson, Nettie: vol. 5, cap 2; [S-87]
Johnson boats: S-172, S-250, S-251, S-252, S-253, S-254, S-255, S-256, S-257, S-258, S-261, S-262, S-263, S-264, S-267, S-268
Johnson family: vol. 1
Johnston, C. M.: [S-90], [S-120], vol. 5, cap 2, info
Johnston, Mollie: [S-89], [S-90], vol. 5, cap 2; S-450, vol. 5 (S-450)
Johnston, Stanley: [S-90]
Johnston, Warren: [S-90], vol. 5
Johnston family: vol. 1
Jos. Chotin: S-254
Joy train ferry: S-81
Kanawha: [S-495]
Kate Adams: vol. 6
Kate Adams (#1): S-91, vol. 1
Kate Adams (#2): S-41, S-41A, S-92, S-93, [S-94], vol. 1, cap 1
Kate Adams (#3): S-95, [S-96], S-97, S-98, S-99, S-101, S-102, S-103, S-104, S-105, S-106, [S-107], [S-108], S-110, S-111, [S-112], [S-113], S-114, [S-115] - [S- 127], S-128, [S-194], S-274, S-275, S-276, S-617, vol. 1, vol. 6 (S-386 - S-390, S-393, S-394), cap 1, info; [S-129], vol. 1
Katie: vol. 1
Keelboats: vol. 11
Kentucky: S-530
Kirkman, Dale: [S-188]
Kiwanis: S-527
La Belle Rivere (see also Kate Adams #3): [S-123], [S-124], [S-125], [S-126], [S-127], vol. 1
Lady Gay: S-130, vol. 1
Lady Lee: S-279
Lannes J: S-258
LaSalle Expedition II (re-enactment at Helena, 1973): U-13 - U-23, vol. 6 (S-779, S-780, S-781, S-782, S-783)
Laura S: S-255, S-257, S-459, vol. 5, vol. 6 (S-738)
Leonid Tellig: S-309
Leroy: S-523
Lexington: [S-131]
Lorena: [S-496]
Lotus Sims: S-41, S-41A, cap 1
Louise: S-261
Louisiana Purchase marker, Louisiana: [S-130A], [S-147]
M. P. Wells: S-521
Magenta: S-132
Marie: vol. 5
U.S.S. Gunboat Marmora (#2): [S-133]
Mary Woods No. 2: S-284, S-778, vol. 6 (S-284)
Memphis: S-135
Memphis Queen: vol. 6
Memphis Queen II: vol. 6 (S-391)
Memphis Showboat: vol. 10 (S-374)
Miss Lily Peter: vol. 6 (S-784, S-785, S-786)
U.S. Eng. Mississippi: [S-136], [S-137]
Mississippi Queen: vol. 5, vol. 10
Mississippi River: [S-312], vol. 11, vol. 12
Mississippi River Museum: vol. 11
Missouri: [S-138]
Missouri River: vol. 11
Mollie Belle (#1): vol. 5
Mollie Belle No. 2: S-139, vol. 5 (S-139), cap 2
Mural: vol. 6 (S-746)
Nancy F: S-142
Napoleon, Arkansas: [S-76]
Natchez: S-140, [S-161] (2 different images), [S-502], [S-504], vol. 5, vol. 8, vol. 12
National River Academy: U-12, vol. 6 (S-787)
Neptune: vol. 5
Nettie Johnson: S-141, S-262, vol. 5
Neva: S-517
New Madrid earthquake: vol. 11
New Mattie: S-285
New Orleans (replica): [S-143]
Nymph (tinclad #54): S-144
Omar: S-263
Oxen: S-199
Pacific: S-145, vol. 5, cap 1
Paintings of steamboats (see also Bradford, Sue; Reed, William): [S-161], S-238
Palmore, Capt. Lexie: S-286, S-844, S-845, vol. 6, vol. 10
Pat Cleburne: [S-146], vol. 1, vol. 8
Pelican: S-33, S-64, S-65, [S-148], S-149, S-150, [S-152], S-153, [S-154], S-155, [S-156], [S-157], S-481, S-482, S-483, vol. 1, vol. 5, vol. 6 (S-48, S-151, S-703, S-761, S-765, S-767, S-769, S-774), cap 1, info
Pennsylvania: vol. 1
Philadelphia: S-507, cap 1
Photographer's store boat: S-581
Pittsburgh, 1900: [S-490]
Quachita: [S-158]
Queen City: [S-498]
Quincy: vol. 1
U.S. R. E. DeRussy: S-290
Rail car: S-462
Railroads and railroad ferries: S-34, S-81, S-105, S-106, [S-109], [S-138], S-145, S-149, S-150, [S-154], S-155, S-462, U-8, U-9, U-10, vol. 1, vol. 5, vol. 6 (S-49, S-695, S-707, [S-708], S-709, S-710, S-711, S-766), cap 1, info
Rapids: S-159
U.S.S. Rattler: [S-162], S-291, [S-291]
Red Rover (U.S.N. Hospital Ship): [S- 163]
Reed, William, steamboat paintings: [S-161], [S-486] - [S-500]
Reindeer: vol. 8
Rene Macready: S-160, cap 1
Reuben E. Lee: [S-501]
Roads: vol. 11
Robert Thompson: vol. 8
Robt. E. Lee: [S-161] (2 different images) S-266, S-504, vol. 6 (S-399), vol. 8, vol. 12
Rock Island: [S-109], [S-120], [S-121], S-164, [S-164], vol. 5, info
Roosevelt, Theodore R., flotilla: S- 134, vol. 12
Rowena: S-292
S.D. Barlow: S-165
St. Charles Ferry: vol. 6 (S-383)
St. Francis River. Hunting trip: S-18, [S-19]
St. Louis: vol. 6 (S-751?, S-753, S-754)
Sargeant Floyd: vol. 12
Senator [illegible]: [S-499]
Signal (tinclad #9): S-166, cap 1
U.S.S. Silver Cloud: [S-167]
Snag boats: vol. 6 (S-383), vol. 11, vol. 12
U.S. Snagboat: S-567
Sonoma: [S-492]
Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen: vol. 1
Sprague: S-168, S-169, S-170, S-286, S-293, [S-294], S-295, S-296, S-297, [S-298], S-299, S-300, S-301, S-302, S-303, [S-310], [S-311], vol. 12, cap 1, cap 2
Steamboat bells: [S-129], S-272, vol. 1
Steamboat explosions: vol. 1
Steamboats, small, pleasure craft: vol. 8
Sultana (#4): S-171, cap 2
Sunny J: S-264
T. D. Dale: S-513
T. S. Robinson: [S-120], info
Tacoma: S-520
Taft, William Howard, flotilla: S-135, vol. 1
Tappan, Thomas E.: [S-188], S-195, S- 794, S-795, U-5, U-6, vol. 1, vol. 6 (S-4, S-195, S-741)
Tarascon: [S-500]
Three States: S-172, cap 1
Tom Greene: S-525
Tri-States: vol. 5
U.S.S. Tyler: [S-131], [S-174]
Uncle Steve: [S-175]
Ursie Boyce: S-176, cap 1
Vern Mac: [S-177]
Vicksburg: S-507, cap 1
Volant: vol. 8
W. B. Duncan: [S-59], [S-179], vol. 6 (S-397), info
W. P. Snyder: [S-488]
Wacouta: S-267
Wanamingo: [S-180], S-268, vol. 5
Washington: [S-489]
White River: vol. 8
U.S. Eng. Boat Wm. Rees: vol. 6 (S-696)
Wonderland: [S-177]
Wrecks, steamboat: S-56, [S-189], [S- 208], [S-209], [S-212] - [S-224], S-293, S-302, S-303
Young Tailor: S-46
Zanetta: S-515
U-23: #15

Print Index: S-1 to S-300

"P" indicates that there is an individual print with that number. "Vol. x" indicates that there is a print of that number in volume x.
"#x" indicates that a negative for that number is in Negative File #x. All negative files contain 35 mm negatives. Negative Files #1 through #9 have proof sheets and are in Negatives Box 1. Negative Files #10 and #11 are in Negatives Box 2. Negative Files #12 through #15 contain color negatives and are in Negatives Box 2.
"Neg box 1" and "neg box 2" indicate that the negatives (mainly 2 1/4") will be in Negatives Box 1 or 2, in numerical order.
The existence of a photocopy in Volume 7 is indicated by "ph." In many cases, captions are included with the photocopy.
Most of the individual prints were copied from material lent by the donor. Information was transcribed from the recto and verso of many of the original photographs. "Cap 1" indicates that the "caption" is on Transcription List 1, "5 x 7 Prints from 'Steamboat Scrapbook #8,' T. E. Tappan Collection." "Cap 2" indicates that the "caption" is on Transcription List 2, "8 x 10 Prints from T. E. Tappan Collection."
Note that there will be gaps in the numbering, as Special Collections does not have the complete collection of photographs.