Warrior (steamboat)

Warrior was a privately owned and constructed steamboat that was pressed into service by the U.S. government during the Black Hawk War of 1832 to assist with military operations. The vessel was built and launched in 1832 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by Joseph Throckmorton, who also served as its captain. The steamboat played a key role in the decisive Battle of Bad Axe, the final engagement of the conflict.

Construction and Launch

The Warrior was a side-wheeled steamboat measuring 111 feet (33.8 m) in length. It was built by Joseph Throckmorton, who co-owned the vessel in partnership with William Hempstead of Galena, Illinois. The boat was launched in Pittsburgh during the summer of 1832. It had no cabin or passenger accommodations but towed a barge intended for passengers. After launching, Throckmorton brought the vessel and its barge to St. Louis and proceeded to the war zone by mid-summer 1832.

Black Hawk War Service

The Warrior was one of several steamboats pressed into service by the U.S. government following the outbreak of the Black Hawk War. It was used primarily as a troop transport. Other steamboats utilized during the war included the Chieftain and the Enterprise.

Battle of Bad Axe

A few days before the Battle of Bad Axe, the Warrior was chartered by a U.S. Army major at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to deliver a message to the Sioux tribe. Lieutenant James W. Kingsbury and Lieutenant Reuben Holmes were ordered to take 15 U.S. Army troops and six militia volunteers aboard, along with a six-pound cannon and ammunition. The mission was to inform Sioux chief Wabasha that the Sauk and Fox were fleeing U.S. forces and to seek an alliance.

On August 1, 1832, while returning from this mission, the vessel encountered the remnants of Black Hawk's "British Band" attempting to cross the Mississippi River. Black Hawk waved a white flag in an attempt to surrender, but the soldiers did not recognize the gesture, and a two-hour firefight ensued. The Warrior withdrew due to lack of fuel and returned to Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien.

Black Hawk and other leaders fled during the night. On August 2, militia and federal troops attacked the remaining group at the mouth of the Bad Axe River. The Warrior returned after refueling, arriving at approximately 10 a.m., and participated in the engagement, which lasted eight hours. After the battle, the Warrior transported General Henry Atkinson and his staff to Fort Crawford, where they met with Zachary Taylor and later General Winfield Scott.

Later Service

Following the Black Hawk War, Captain Throckmorton continued to operate the Warrior on the Upper Mississippi River. On June 24, 1835, the steamboat arrived at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, with supplies and a party of tourists. The crew included Captain Throckmorton, clerk E.H. Gleim, and pilot William White. Notable passengers included George Wallace Jones, Marie Pauline Gregorie (widow of slain U.S. Indian Agent Felix St. Vrain), and artist George Catlin. The Warrior arrived at Fort Snelling again on July 16, 1835. During the 1830s, it was one of approximately twelve vessels that carried supplies—mostly food and clothing—to Fort Snelling.

Newspaper records from Galena, Illinois, indicate that in the fall of 1835, the Warrior and the steamboat Galena departed for Pittsburgh as river navigation closed for the season. In April 1836, the Warrior was reported among several vessels that had departed for St. Louis.

Specifications