Pennsylvania (steamboat)

Her most heralded crew member was Samuel L. Clemens (later known as Mark Twain) who served as a cub pilot from September 27, 1857 until June 5, 1858, with a two-month break during the repairs from the Vicksburg collision.

The end of Twain's service on the Pennsylvania was brought about by his stormy relationship with its pilot, William Brown, which is described in his 1883 book Life on the Mississippi.

Just prior to his departure, he arranged a post for his brother, Henry on the steamship as "Mud Clerk".

On June 13, 1858, the Pennsylvania was steaming near Ship Island, just below Memphis, Tennessee when its boiler exploded.

Among this group was Henry Clemens, younger brother of Mark Twain, whose skin and lungs were so badly scalded that he succumbed to his wounds on June 21.