John H. Couch was a side-wheel driven steamboat that operated on the Columbia and lower Willamette rivers from 1863 to 1873.

[1] The boat was named after a prominent seaman, John H. Couch, who was also Oregon’s first inspector of hulls.

[1] Holman owned one-half of the boat, with the others holding a one-third and a one-sixth share, respectively.

[1] John H. Couch operated for a time in opposition to the dominant steamboat concern on the river, the Oregon Steam Navigation Company.

bought the Couch, as well as the steamers Cowlitz (ex Swan) and Belle, which were also owned by Holman, Huntington, and Olsen.

[4] Couch left Portland for Astoria and way landings at 6:00 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays of each week.

[1] In January 1873, Couch was dismantled, with the boat’s engines being salvaged and sent to the upper Columbia, to be installed on another steamer.