Emilie (steamboat)

The Emilie[a][b] was a sidewheel steamer, designed, built and owned by the famed riverboat captain Joseph LaBarge, and used for trade and transporting people and supplies to various points along the Missouri River in the mid nineteenth century.

As a result of her numerous exploits, Emilie was among the most famous boats on the river and was widely considered a first rate and an exceptionally beautiful riverboat.

Pierre Chouteau Jr. of the fur company having learned of LaBarge's prospects sent word to him and offered any assistance he might need in completing the vessel that would soon be widely known as Emilie.

From Saint Joseph it ran to points up and down the river in connection with various roads, making trips as far north as Fort Randall.

[6][11] Emilie's most famous passenger was Abraham Lincoln when he visited points along the Missouri River in August 1859, stopping at council Bluffs to examine some real estate.

[6][5] In late autumn, river ice prevented the Emilie from leaving Atchison, Kansas, forcing the vessel to remain docked nearby for the duration of the following winter.

LaBarge carefully maneuvered the bow of boat up on to the ice until it broke under the weight of the huge vessel, and did this repeatedly until he reached Saint Joseph.

The Emilie, the faster of the two vessels, had departed from Saint Louis four days after the Spread Eagle but eventually caught up to her at Fort Berthold.

The venture at this point turned into a heated race between the rival companies and crews when the Emilie attempted to pass the Spread Eagle.

Realizing that the Spread Eagle was about to fall behind, Captain Bailey ordered the pilot to ram the starboard bow of the Emilie in an attempt disable her, or at least impede her performance.